The Keith Reid Project-The Common Thread (2008)

Keith Reid is best known as the co-writer of one of the most famous songs of all time, "A Whiter Shade of Pale", and for writing most of the original songs for the legendary Procol Harum during the 1960s and 70s. In mid-2008, he founded The Keith Reid Project, releasing the album "The Common Thread". Reid composed and wrote all the songs, as well as producing them, and the album features a stellar lineup of musicians including John Waite (Bad English), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann), Barry Goldberg (The Electric Flag), Terry Reid, Southside Johnny, Bernie Shanahan, Michael Saxell, Chaz Jankel, and Steve Brooker. The resulting album is an excellent collection of high-quality songs that explore the sounds of melodic soft rock with elegant, laid-back rhythms and refined arrangements, undoubtedly destined for the enjoyment of even the most discerning listeners.

Black Stone Cherry-Folklore And Superstition (2008)

"Folklore and Superstition" is the second album by Black Stone Cherry, a band based in Edmonton, Kentucky. Released in 2008, this album by the group comprised of Chris Robertson (vocals and guitar), Ben Wells (guitar), John Lawton (bass), and John Fred Young (drums) continues to embrace their hard rock sound infused with Southern rock, but with improved production, better arrangements, and a greater commercial appeal compared to their debut album released two years prior. Hits like "Blind Man", "Reverend Wrinkle", "The Bitter End", "Ghost of Floyd Collins", and "Long Sleeves" revisit that American hard rock style, clearly influenced by boogie blues and Southern rock, while other tracks, such as the more subdued "Thing My Father Said" and "Peace Is Free", offer a more relaxed feel.

The Quireboys-Homewreckers & Heartbreakers (2008)

The Quireboys are one of the bands most faithful to their honest style, showcasing from their beginnings a rock sound brimming with catchy melodies that are both intense and powerful. They started by breaking into the charts with their debut album, "A Bit Of What You Fancy" (1990), a record that propelled them to an incredible number two on the British charts thanks to its rich influences from 70s rock bands like The Faces and the Rolling Stones. In the following years, they released several impressive albums, including the fantastic "Bitter Sweet & Twisted" (1993) and "This Is Rock 'n' Roll" (2001). By the time they released their fifth album, "Homewreckers and Heartbreakers", only two of the original members remained in the band: frontman and singer Spike, and guitarist Guy Griffin. The rest of the lineup consisted of bassist Jimi Crutchley, drummer Pip Mailing, keyboardist Keith Weir, and rhythm guitarist Paul Guerin. Touches of American roots rock and their basic British rock and roll are present in tracks like "Take A Look At Yourself", the honky-tonk "Louder", the energetic "Love This Dirty Town", and the exuberant "Hall of Shame". Without a doubt, this is another stimulating work from one of the most respected bands on the rock scene of the last 35 years.

Rick Derringer-Knighted By The Blues (2009)

This is the second album from the tireless rock and blues artist Rick Derringer to appear on this blog; the first was the seminal "All American Boy", his 1973 debut. This time, we bring you his thirteenth album, "Knighted By The Blues", which, as the name suggests, is oriented towards blues rock. This work contains an inspired repertoire of tracks that showcase the virtuosity, blues feeling, and talent of this phenomenal guitarist. Tracks like the boogie-blues version of Ray Charles' "Mess Around", the powerful blues-rock numbers "Sometimes" and "If 6 Was 9", the jazzy "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof", and the slow, atmospheric blues numbers "My Gal's Kinda Crazy" and "Knighted By The Blues" place this album among Rick Derringer's most outstanding. Sadly, Derringer passed away in 2025, at the age of 77, due to serious heart problems.