Rick Vito And Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Guy Davis: Blues Brothers Indeed

Not all blues musicians play blues material exclusively. In fact, some of the most notable practitioners in the genre enhance their reputations by traveling far afield for eclectic selections that freshen their fundamental point(s) of reference. Rick Vito's Slidemaster is just such an effort, while by contrast, the triumvirate of Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis reaffirms how satisfying is the rediscovery of roots. The unplugged segment in the homestretch of the former's album is only the most overt connection to the latter's conception and execution of their own album. As a result, comparisons between these two carefully-crafted records unveils a soulful simplicity that deliver impact congruent with their different vantage points.

Rick Vito
Slidemaster: The Instrumental Slide Guitar Collection
MoMojo Records
2026

While an all-instrumental album featuring slide guitar might seem self-indulgent in the hands of another musician, Slidemaster is a natural extension of Rick Vito's work on behalf of others (Bob Seger for one). And as the bonafide blues number like "Steal Away," gives way to the Bo Diddley-derived thump of (fittingly) "The Big Beat," the span of material becomes a reflection of the guitarist's command of his instrument: Vito's quick swoops and dives never descend to mere flash. Proffering ever-so-precise acoustic fretboard fingering on "River of Blues" as the crowning touch of The Instrumental Slide Guitar Collection, the one-time member of Fleetwood Mac demonstrates knowing homage to the co-founder of that band, guitarist Peter Green, by tapping a pair of his tunes: in this context, the choice of "Albatross" and "The Supernatural," demonstrates not only Vito's devotion to the blues, but also the transmogrification of the idiom fostered by the aforementioned mythic musician who authored them.

Corey Harris / Alvin Youngblood Hart / Guy Davis
Fight On!: True Blues Vol. 2
Yellow Dog Records
2026

The three-decade old sequel to Corey Harris, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Guy Davis' initial collaboration is a deceptively understated demonstration of these three musicians' loyalty to their roots. Yet the trio hardly belabor that point and instead choose to proffer succinct tracks that exemplify the emotional firepower at the heart of the idiom. Recorded separately by each of the three principles only underscores the intimacy of these performances: the undercurrents of agony and ecstasy within the songs come fully and authentically to the fore, whether it is Hart's original "If The Blues Was Money," traditionals in the form of "Highway 61," or covers like the one of Reverend Gary Davis' "I Belong To The Band." By the time this slightly less than half-hour playing time comes to a close, it is quite clear these nine cuts are of a piece and, as such, present an object lesson in the concept of 'less is more.'

Tracks and Personnel

Slidemaster: The Instrumental Slide Guitar Collection

Tracks: Vegas Jump; Steal Away; The Big Beat; The Danger Zone; Red Hot Baby; Albatross; Soul Shadows; Slide The Blues; A Change Is Gonna Come; River Of Blues; The Supernatural; The Lord's Prayer:

Personnel: Rick Vito: guitars, acoustic bass, electric bass, keyboards, percussion; Mark Horwitz: organ; Kevin McKendree: organ; Charlie Harrison: Electric Bass; Rick Reed: drums; Lynn Williams: drums; Charles Johnson: drums.

Fight On!: True Blues Vol. 2

Tracks: We Are Almost Down to the Shore (Fight On); Screamin' & Hollerin' the Blues; See me When You Can; What's That I Smell; If The Blues Was Money; Deep Sea Diver; Belong To The Band; Highway 61; Everything I Got Is Done In Pawn.

Personnel: Corey Harris: vocals; acoustic guitar; Bob Gernandt: six string parlour guitar; Alvin Youngblood Hart: vocals; Kay flat-top guitar; Guy Davis: vocals, Harmony Stella 12-string guitar.