Living Blues Magazine Volume # 139, May-June, 1998
Author: Steven Sharp / Pages 14 - 25. "An articulate spokesman for the Blues, Branch addresses the music with great reverence. His love for the Blues and its artists defines his life. And his dedication to the music is reflected in his recordings and in his live performances around the world." 
The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Jazz & Blues Edited by Julia Rolf / p. 353 |
Chicago Blues Portraits and Stories by Dave Whiteis / Chapter 9 Billy Branch "Billy Branch plays history on his harmonica. In fact, it often sounds as if his harp is not a mere musical instrument but rather the conduit through which he channels that history-- the voices, the muses, and even the life stories of his mentors and role models of the Blues." 
Nothing But the Blues /by Lawrence Cohn / p. 404 |
Roots and Branches, the Songs of Little Walter by Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues featuring personal stories by Little Walter's daughter, Marion Diaz Roots And Branches –The Songs Of Little Walter features 15 songs written by or made famous by the harp genius, each one brought to new life by Branch and The Sons of Blues as they blend elements of soul, funk and gospel into the proceedings while remaining true to the integrity of the originals. "A potent blend of rootsy integrity and exploratory zeal" --Living Blues Billy was interviewed on Chicago's Public Radio WBEZ-FM on The Morning Shift (August 9, 2019). Billy discusses his new release Roots And Branches—The Songs Of Little Walter, tells personal stories about the blues legends he's worked with, his involvement with Blues In Schools and more. Listen here. |
LATEST CD: "BLUES SHOCK"
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING Billy Branch, a fire-kissed harp-playing protegé of blues great Willie Dixon, …[and] the Sons of Blues have constructed a daring new release, one that blends a series of tough-minded, cliche-free originals with inventively re-imagined takes on classic tracks ― never giving an inch to age, convention or expectations... In short, Blues Shock is aptly named, combining things you’d expect and things you most certainly would not from a modern blues recording ― but somehow, perhaps only through Branch’s steely force of will (well, and his spit-flinging harp), it all works. Nick DeRiso, Music Critic for Something Else Reviews To see the complete review click here: http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/01/19/billy-branch-and-the-sons-of-blues-blues-shock-2014/ |