Latest articles by Alice Clark
A guide to harmonica blues in five essential albums
Blues just wouldn’t be the same without the wailing of the harp. Here we celebrate the people who blew the hardest
Shuggie Otis: the lost R&B star who came in from the wilderness
The son of an R&B legend, guitar virtuoso Shuggie Otis did it his way, turning down the Rolling Stones and David Bowie in the process
The man who inspired BB King, Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix: The T-Bone Walker albums you should hear
T-Bone Walker had an eye-popping live show, soulful vocals and a supple guitar style that provided a blueprint for what we know as modern blues today. These are his best albums…
Six New Orleans blues albums you should definitely own
Blues from The Big Easy has a different flavour to that made anywhere else, with its roots in jazz and the music of the Caribbean
The Otis Redding albums you should definitely own
One of the brightest stars at Stax Records, Otis Redding’s life was cut tragically short but the work he left behind lives on
"All the things that made me feel alive, still make me feel alive”: Ash retain their infectious, joyous lust for life on Race The Night
Once proud teenage hellraisers, Ash slide into their fourth decade as a band with their wide-eyed excitement for rock'n'roll thrills still firmly intact
A beginner's guide to Sinead O'Connor in five essential albums
Pop star, protest singer and fearless, defiant rebel, Sinead O'Connor was an artist like no other. Here are the albums you need to hear to understand her relentless quest for truth and justice
"Black Rainbows is a truly astonishing record, a revelation": Corinne Bailey Rae comes of age on one of 2023's most remarkable, must-hear albums
"Her anger, rage and horror is palpable": Corinne Bailey Rae, as you've never heard her before
M(h)aol's exhilarating debut album Attachment Styles has the power to break down walls and kick over statues
Irish post-punks M(h)aol deliver a manifesto for a better tomorrow with galvanising debut album
The Ike & Tina Turner albums you should definitely own
From Ike and Tina Turner's explosive, raw beginnings to their final R&B hurrah, they crossed many musical genres - and these are their best albums
The Bo Diddley albums you should definitely own
The best albums from Bo Diddley, the gunslingin’, cigar-box guitar-totin’ cool cat who wrote the book on rockin' R&B and gave a rhythm his name
Mavis Staples: The Life And Soul Of A Legend
The Chicago soul and gospel icon explains how Martin Luther King led her to make some of the defining songs of the civil rights era
The First Time I Met The Blues: No Sinner
No Sinner frontwoman Colleen Rennison had a youthful brush with Hollywood stardom, but the allure of the blues proved too tempting…
Linda Gail Lewis: Hard Rockin' Woman
Jerry Lee Lewis's little sister on hanging out with Elvis Presley and John Lennon, and being a rock’n’roll stalwart with an R&B soul.
Payin' Dues: Martha High
The original JB funky diva talks new album, James Brown and the Rumble In The Jungle.
Call & Response: Ben Poole
Fresh from a tour with Stevie Nimmo, the British blues guitarist discusses keeping it live and hanging with his heroes.
The Kentucky Headhunters start their debut UK tour
The Kentucky Headhunters overcome their phobias and pack their bags to head to Ramblin’ Man Fair.
Charles Bradley: From James Brown Impersonator To Late-Blooming Soul Star.
A turbulent childhood and life on the streets were tough, but inspired by James Brown, Charles Bradley made it to the Harlem Apollo and beyond. This is his inspirational story…
Robin McKelle: “I fell in love with Gregory Porter’s voice.”
New Yorker Robin McKelle comes full circle on an album that sees her up close and personal.
Toronzo Cannon: “Life and living a little bit is a big influence.”
A bus driver by day and a soulful bluesman by night, all hail the new Chicago king Toronzo Cannon.
First Time I Met The Blues: Steve Hooker
The Heat’s former rockabilly blues guitar man on Pretty Things, Motown and punk-rock memories.
Payin' Dues: Vieux Farka Touré
Malian desert bluesman inspired by John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix and his dad Ali Farka Touré.
