By Brent Thompson

Few, if any, artists had the career momentum of bluesman Christone “Kingfish” Ingram when Covid-19 abruptly derailed the live music industry. Like fellow young torch-bearer and roots artist Billy Strings, Ingram rang in traditional sounds for a new generation of listeners with his Grammy-nominated 2019 debut, Kingfish. Now, Covid is hopefully subsiding, Ingram is older (albeit only 22) and he has endured the passing of his mother. His new release, 662 [Alligator Records], is a mature and cohesive effort that retains the energy of his debut album. Straight-on blues tracks (“662,” “She Calls Me Kingfish”) sit alongside soul (“Another Life Goes By”) and jazz-tinged (“That’s All It Takes”) numbers across the album’s 14 tracks. Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, George Thorogood) again handles Ingram’s production duties and the pair make a good team. Ingram is older, world-wiser and now has an expanded catalog of songs. His upside is endless and we are glad to be along for the ride.

www.christonekingfishingram.com