Gotta take a minute to toot my horn for St. Louis punk blues here: Casey Reid - Cephalclog Casey Reid writes songs with wisdom that flutters beyond description and "Cephalclog" is his masterpiece. His lyrics are inspired and his guitar playing unique, floating between delta-driven fingerpicking and a full-fledged assault on the strings that is as beautiful as it is furious. With an array of orchestral accompaniment - ranging from weeping cello to pounding junkyard percussion - Reid's powerful and ghastly voice slams through blues epics and folkie barn-burners with a heartfelt sincerity that is truly hard to find and a style impossible to match. www.myspace.com/caseyreid This band is great, too: Rum Drum Ramblers - Hey Lordy Mama Mama Get Up & Go If you like punk and dig the blues, then this album is for you. The guitar bends, hisses and howls in ways that would make Johnny Thunders' knees weak. The harmonica conjures up the sound assault of Jimmy Page just as much as the bob and weave juke-joint shuffle of Little Walter. And the bass - well, this guy is one of the best and that's all there is to it. The rhythm is a contagious stomp clank and the performance is a raw slop of beauty tinged blues destruction. All originals, all instant classics. www.myspace.com/rumdrumramblers There's also Pokey LaFarge: Pokey LaFarge - Beat, Move, and Shake Armed with Charlie Chaplin charm and Shakespearian insight, Pokey LaFarge weaves 12 timeless originals into the fabric of Americana. Calling upon the soul of Ray Charles just as much as the imagery of Townes van Zandt, "Beat, Move, and Shake" creates a delightful blend of quirky pop and delta-meets-appalachia country blues. Backed by an unfaltering beat on an upright bass, Pokey picks at his guitar and lets his voice float freely in an album whose title will prove to be it's best description. You can get this stuff from St. Louis' own Big Muddy Records (and I recommend you do!).