Blues and roots-rock label Blind Pig Records has cracked open its music vault once again and chosen two deserving candidates for reissue as part of their Vinyl Master Series. This time 'round, blues fans can thrill to the sound of classic slabs o' wax from blues harp master James Cotton and Chicago blues legends Magic Slim and the Teardrops, both scheduled for release on October 20, 2009.

James Cotton's 1987 album Take Me Back earned the harpist a Grammy Award after its release. Concerned by blues music's tilt towards rock 'n' roll during the late-1970s and early-80s, Cotton chose to deliver a back-to-the-roots collection of inspired Chicago blues covers. With the help of his former Muddy Waters' bandmate Pinetop Perkins, as well as guitarist Sammy Lawhorn and drummer Sam Lay, Cotton roars through songs like Little Walter's "My Babe," Jimmy Reed's "Take Out Some Insurance," and Howlin' Wolf's "Killing Floor" for a total of nine tracks.

Originally released in 1990, Gravel Road was the first Magic Slim and the Teardrops album for Blind Pig. Featuring a powerful Teardrops roster that included second guitarist John Primer and bassist Nick Holt, Slim's brother, Gravel Road was an exciting set of original blues tunes and choice covers. The band hits the high note on eleven songs, including Otis Redding's classic "Hard To Handle," Freddie King's instrumental "Hideaway," and the soul stomp "Mustang Sally," among others.

Both Magic Slim's Gravel Road and Cotton's Take Me Back will be reissued as limited edition sets on 180-gram audiophile vinyl.

Related Content: James Cotton Profile

Photos courtesy Blind Pig Records

With apologies to Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm, the two-man wrecking crew known as Left Lane Cruiser is bringing their wild-and-reckless live show to a town somewhere near you. Touring in support of the band's latest CD, All You Can Eat, released by Alive Records, Left Lane Cruiser will kick out the jams with a dozen U.S. shows before heading to Europe for a lengthy tour of the continent.

Formed in the sleepy industrial wasteland of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Left Lane Cruiser consists of slide-guitarist/vocalist Freddie J. Evans IV (a/k/a "Joe") and drummer/madman percussionist Brenn Beck (a/k/a "Sausage Paw"), in whose capable hands even trashcans, metal paint trays, hubcaps, and washboards are just something else on which to beat out a rhythm.

The duo has developed a unique perspective on the classic Mississippi Hill Country sound, and has opened for such icons of the style as Bob Log III and T-Model Ford, as well as the Black Diamond Heavies. Believe me, you'll want to catch this punk-blues phenomena when they freight-train through your backyard.

Left Lane Cruiser Tour Dates

Oct 5 @ The Northside Tavern, Cincinnati OH
Oct 6 @ The Green Lantern, Lexington KY
Oct 7 @ Hal and Al's, Columbus OH
Oct 8 @ The V Club, Huntington WV
Oct 9 @ The Garage, Winston Salem NC
Oct 10 @ The Bohemian, Greenville SC
Oct 12 @ The End, Nashville TN
Oct 13 @ JJ's Bohemia, Chattanooga TN
Oct 14 @ The Hideaway, Johnson City TN
Oct 15 @ Visulite Theater, Charlotte NC
Oct 16 @ The Star Bar, Atlanta GA
Oct 30 @ La Boule Noire, Paris, France
Oct 31 @ La Peniche, Chalon s/Saone, France
Nov 1 @ Le Galion, Lorient, France
Nov 4 @ Peniche Sonic, Lyon, France
Nov 5 @ Queen Kong Club, Neuhatel, Switzerland
Nov 6 @ Caves Du Manoir, Martigny, Switzerland
Nov 7 @ Le Transformateur, Fribourg, Switzerland
Nov 8 @ El Lokal, Zurich, Switzerland
Nov 9 @ My Way, Freibourg, Germany
Nov 11 @ Cortinan Bob, Berlin, Germany
Nov 12 @ The Paradison, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nov 15 @ Popdium, Sneek, The Netherlands
Nov 16 @ Little Devil, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Nov 18 @ Club Keller, Frankfurt, Germany
Nov 19 @ DB's, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Nov 20 @ Grand Wazoo, Amiens, France
Nov 21 @ L'Appel D'air, St Brieuc, France
Nov 22 @ Le Chalan, Binik, France
Nov 24 @ St Eupery, Bordeaux, France
Nov 25 @ Sant Des Seins, Toulouse, France
Nov 26 @ Cafe De Paris, Perpignan, France
Nov 27 @ Barakason, Nants, France
Nov 28 @ Festival Blues Hauts De Seine, Mantes La Jolie, France

Photo courtesy Alive Records

More blues artists tour dates

On this day in 1932, Texas blues legend Albert Collins was born in Leona, Texas. An influential, albeit often overlooked talent, Collins was born in rural Texas but grew up in the rough Third Ward of Houston. Although he originally wanted to play keyboards, Collins switched to guitar at the age of 18 and made his bones playing with artists like his cousin Sam Lightnin' Hopkins.

Collins was a unique stylist and an incendiary live performer whose appeal jumped across the aisle from fans of houserockin' Texas blues to include many fans in the rock world. Influencing talents as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Collins rode high during the 1980s blues revival, ensuring his place in music history. The guitarist's spirited appearance in the 1987 movie Adventures In Babysitting, along with numerous TV performances, brought his music to an entirely new audience.

Sadly, Collins succumbed to cancer in 1993 at the young age of 61 before he could fully capitalize on his growing instrumental reputation. Join us today in celebrating the life and music of blues guitarist Albert Collins, known throughout the blues world as "The Iceman."

Related Content: Albert Collins Profile

Photo courtesy Alligator Records

Over the past couple of years, the Laurie Morvan Band has begun to make a name for itself with constant touring and three increasingly-impressive album releases. Fronted by singer, songwriter, and fiery guitarist Laurie Morvan, the band is set to release its fourth album.

Titled Fire It Up!, the album will be released by Screaming Lizard Records on October 20, 2009. Working with producer Steve Savage (Elvin Bishop, Robert Cray), Morvan wrote the album's twelve tracks, which also serve as a showcase for her spectacular six-string skills. Taking on even more of a blues-oriented sound, Fire It Up! lyrically addresses the challenges faced by Morvan as a woman in the male-dominated blues world.

The band's 2007 album, Cure What Ails Ya, received all sorts of critical acclaim upon its release, and helped increase the band's growing legion of fans. The Laurie Morvan Band was finalists in the International Blues Challenge 2008 and The Blues Foundation's Best Self-Produced CD competition, both held in Memphis, Tennessee in 2008. Before the release of Fire It Up!, Morvan will be taking the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in October, jamming with the other musicians.

Photo courtesy Screaming Lizard Records