By Samantha Watson
Marketing, Ignition Music Garage

Charismatic singer and guitarist Erin Harpe, along with her band the Delta Swingers, have become favorites around New England, with a growing fan base around the world. Their unique brand of dance music is rooted in vintage 1930’s Mississippi delta blues, then shaken and stirred with other genres like soul, funk, and reggae, evoking a wild southern juke joint where the whiskey and gin are flowing and everybody’s dancing.

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Their debut album, LOVE WHIP BLUES is a refreshing, rootsy take on the blues, with songs about trains, hard luck and good luck, and of course (in the vein of Harpe’s other band, Lovewhip) shakin’ your booty. Ten swinging tracks include four originals, Harpe’s take on songs by 1930’s blues artists, and a very unorthodox version of the classic John Prine song, “Angel From Montgomery,” famously recorded by Bonnie Raitt. Produced by Dave Gross (Candye Kane, Chris O’Leary, Albert Castiglia, Gina Sicilia) at Fat Rabbit Studios, the album shows off the band’s signature Charles River Delta Blues – their own country blues/roots/americana cocktail – including an appearance by guest star guitarist Bob Margolin (Muddy Waters band).

The Delta Swingers features Erin on electric and acoustic guitar and lead vocals, backed by Jim Countryman on bass, Bob Nisi on drums and vocal harmonies, and a revolving cast of Boston’s best blues soloists, including the blistering electrified harmonica of Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt, the slide guitar of “Sonny” Jim Clifford and other local stars. Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers release their long-awaited debut album LOVE WHIP BLUES on VizzTone/Juicy Juju Records on Nov. 4.

The Moore Brothers play a wide variety of traditional acoustic and electric blues, R&B, and other forms of American roots music. The band’s varied repertoire includes a mix of covers and original tunes. Their specialty is blues, but they also perform songs in other traditional styles including hillbilly, gospel, ragtime, and rockabilly.

Their acoustic music is the kind one would have heard in southern juke joints, dance halls, and on street corners in the years before World War II. Their electric music repertoire includes blues, swing, and R&B from Memphis, Chicago, Texas, the West Coast, and all points in between. The band’s music is played at lower volumes to highlight the musical experience, but dancing is in no way dissuaded! The Moore Brothers use different combinations of harmonica, guitars, and percussion to produce a refreshing variety of traditional sounds and styles.

Perhaps the most unique thing about the group is their ability to write and perform original songs in a style that is true to the music create by their many heroes. Songs like “Conspirement Women” and “Rambler’s Predicament,” and “Move It On” sound like something straight out of the Great Depression Era. “Cruel Lovin,” “She Moves Me,” “Mississippi,” and their other original electric tunes could have easily been performed in the 50s or 60s by Jimmy Reed or some other traditional bluesman. Songwriter Tom Moore is somehow able to craft tunes that sound both authentic and true to the genres that inspired them. The Moore Brothers also enjoy performing cover versions of classics by artists like Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, and many more.