Living Blues #303 (July/August 2026)

WHAT'S INSIDE:

John Primer

Primer Time Extended

By Peter M. Hurley

At age 81, guitarist John Primer may be riding the biggest wave of his long career. After decades of work in Muddy Waters’ and Magic Slim’s bands, Primer launched his solo career 35 years ago and now reigns as one of the top blues players in the world.

Angelique Francis

Family on and off Stage

By Alex McCarthy

Canada’s Angelique Francis and her family band (father Kiran on drums and sisters Kira, Kharincia, and Kayla on horns) have been wowing audiences for years with their dynamic live shows. Now poised to break onto the national scene, they are an act not to be missed.

Carla Denise

Music Is a Form of Therapy

By Jim Trageser

Chicago-born, now Phoenix-based, vocalist Carla Denise came to the blues late. After working a day job and raising two children, Denise has now found her niche in the blues working with Bob Corritore and Jimi “Primetime” Smith on live gigs and her first recordings.

I Can’t Be Satisfied:

The History of Black Resistance and Protest Behind Muddy’s First Hit Record

By Jim Hauser

Muddy Waters’ song I Can’t Be Satisfied is not an average blues song. It has deep roots going back to the pre-recorded era and stands as a coded protest against white supremacy. We explore the history of the song and its deeper meanings. 

Let It Roll! Luther Allison

Ruf Records and Alligator Records, Memphis, 1994–1995

By Jas Obrecht

After a self-imposed exile in Europe, guitarist Luther Allison exploded back onto the American blues scene in the mid-1990s with two fiery blues albums, Soul Fixin’ Man and Blue Streak. Allison’s legendary live shows rocked the blues world until his untimely death in 1997.

Record Reviews

• New Releases: Cyril Neville, The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, and Russ Green
• Reissues: Albert King, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Muddy Waters

Editorial

Blues News

Book Reviews

Obituaries

Radio Charts

2026 Living Blues Awards Winners

Cover photo by Laura Carbone: John Primer at the Blues Music Awards, Memphis, May 11, 2023.