Terry Blade is an AWARD-WINNING songwriter based out of Chicago, Illonois. He’s quite a prolific musician that has a catalog on Bandcamp dating back to May of 2020. Drawing inspiration from legends such as Tracy Chapmen, Ben Harper, Issac Hayes (and many more, but these just to name a few); his sound has spanned a broad range of Folk, Motown, R&B and other contempoary musings.
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His latest album, “Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues” is a notable and standout release in his repertoire. Not only because of the artist’s ability to demonstrate an impressive versatility in mastering yet another genre/style, but also because the album is authentically true to the spirit and sound of the Blues.
Not only by way of production and chord progressions, but also in emotional resonation, vocal cadence, and delivery. It is overwhelmingly apparent that there is a deep appreciation and respect for the origins of the genre on this record. The moment you begin listening to the album, you’re not only embarking on a wonderful record, but you are also getting an education on the history, significance, and power of the Blues as well.
From Terry Blade’s Bandcamp page:
The album features original blues songs written, performed and recorded by Blade; Blade’s rendition of a song Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup recorded in Chicago in 1946; and excerpts from interviews with well known Chicago blues musicians in May 1977. The audio recordings of these interviews are in the public domain, and were curated through Blade’s research of the Chicago Ethnic Arts Project Collection of the American Folklife Center at the U.S. Library of Congress.
It’s a remarkable journey listening to this album. The intertwined audio scenes during and in-between songs captivates me similarly to watching a documentary. I can’t help but smile ear to ear when listening to the excerpt on the album titled “Ain’ Been Through No Changes” featuring some legendary audio from Muddy Waters Jr.
The spirit of the Blues is a root in just about every modern day music that exists today and it’s emotive, compelling vibrance is still something that resonates just as deeply today as it did in it’s origins. Terry Blade captures that perfectly in his writing and performances here, it is as legit of a Blues record that you could make. One of my favorite quotes from the audio clips:
“If you ain’t been through change, you know, you don’t have the Blues. You don’t know nothing about the blues. That change, that feeling, that’s the Blues.”
– Muddy Waters Jr. exerpt from “Ain’t Been Through No Changes”
If I had to pick a favorite track on the album, I would recommend you “dip your big toe” in with “Getting Tired of You.” It has all the classic vibrances of a BB King or Ledbelly tune. And an authentic analog sound coupled with it. From what I’ve read about the piece, that track also tends to be a crowd favorite.
All the songs are great and the aubile storytelling in between makes this a must listen front to back. I also found particularly notable the track “Be Around No More,” which at the core is very much a Blues song as you’d expect but also a song that you can hear how the laid back vibe started to crossover and lead way for things like modern R&B music. Chef’s kiss.
I was also very smitten with “That’s Alright,” performed really as it was meant to be in the Arthur Cudrup style. I remember hearing this song a lot as a small child and always loving it. Of course, I as with likely most others of my age, were initially introduced to the version that was eventually recorded by Elvis Presley in 1954. However, I implore you to take a listen to this Terry Blade version and experience the wonderful rendition he peforms in an homage to a blues legend that didn’t nearly get the recognition deserved at the time. It’s so authentic. Emotional. So real.
Whether you’re already an established Blues fan, or someone needing a good place to introduce yourself to the genre, you will love this record just as much as I did.
“CHICAGO KINFOLK: THE JUKE JOINT BLUES” is out now!
“Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues” by @TerryBladeMusic is a notable and standout release. Not only because of the artist’s ability to demonstrate an impressive versatility in mastering yet another genre/style…
ORDER NOW!!!
On Bandcamp https://t.co/1Hqn9kCUDp pic.twitter.com/XKYQpaaRyx— Jpgchief (@Jpgchief) March 3, 2025
@jpgchief 🚨#NewMusic🚨 🛑#ListenNow🛑 🔥#NewALbum🔥 New Music Alert New Album "Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues" by Terry Blade in this post “Fallen Sons” @Jpgchief @Jpgchief @Jpgchief Whether you're already an established Blues fan, or someone needing a good place to introduce yourself to the genre, you will love this record. ⭐STREAM / ORDER NOW⭐ #FreshSingles #12NewSongsThisWeek #ChillFolkAcoustic #UnknownButEssentials ♬ original sound – Jpgchief
Ver en Threads
The moment you begin listening to the album, you’re not only embarking on a wonderful record, but you are also getting an education on the history, significance, and power of the Blues as well.
PRE-ORDER NOW!!!
On BandcampTerry Blade upcoming new album
terryblade.bandcamp.com/album/chicag…
— Jpgchief (@jpgchief.bsky.social) 6 de febrero de 2025, 14:05
Remember to show some love, support this project and follow Terry Blade on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. You can also check out his official website. If you enjoy his music and are able to provide monetary support, you might consider downloading it on Bandcamp.
It also helps to stream and share this music; you can obviously find it in the following Playlists: Fresh Singles, 12 New Songs This Week, Chill – Folk – Acoustic, and Unknown but Essentials!
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