Johnny Nicholas – Future Blues (2011)

The sound of ‘Future Blues’ ranges from jaunty boogie-woogie with stellar harmonica work and Nicholas’ voice smoky and assertive, to slow-burning stand-outs supported by gritty guitar and Cindy Cashdollar’s slide flourishes that melt into the rhythm section, while the re-imagined version of Dylan’s “(It’s All Over Now) Baby Blue” is punctuated by a free-spirited, driving shuffle. Musicians on the album include Cindy Cashdollar (Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield), guitarist “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb (Ian McLagan, The Resentments), drummer John Chipman (Band of Heathens), accordion and keyboardist Joel Guzman (Joe Ely), and guest appearances by Sam Broussard and Jimmie Vaughan. ‘Future Blues’ was produced by Bruce Hughes (The Resentments, Texas Sheiks, Jason Mraz), who also plays bass on the record.