John McDonald, Mark Maxwell - Blues & Beyond (2026)

John McDonald has had an interesting career. He played a lot of solo shows before (Boston) and during college (Bloomington), played in a band called Buddy Funk in California, before taking a day job as the Head of the Genetics Department at the University of Georgia. But when in Athens, Georgia you get sucked back into that great music culture. He started a blues band called “the unforgiven” and has also released eight records under his own name (including three with Mark Maxwell co-billed). On Blues & Beyond, Maxwell handles the tasteful electric guitar work and bass, while McDonald is on acoustic guitar on vocals throughout. The two produced the record themselves and McDonald recorded it excellently at his Athens studio.

Sarah Lawing’s vocals on the opening track “What You Gonna Do About Me” was a highlight. Pat Strawser on organ and keys was particularly enjoyable throughout. The rest of the band was solid as well: Jason Fuller on piano, Glyn Denham on harmonica, Mindy Towe on sax, and William Kissane on drums. Janis Maxwell has the backing vocals on “Drive”. Mark Maxwell lets his guitar rip on several songs, including specifically on the terrific “Best in Town”. On “All That Makes Me Happy Is The Blues”, McDonald pens a love letter to the genre and its practitioners that can pull him out of that hole when called upon. Then he turns Maxwell loose, which is always a good idea. Maxwell is a guitarist that deserves more notice.

“I Got A Spell On You” turns the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins novelty hit into more of a slow torch song with McDonald moaning. Towe’s sax solo here and Fuller’s piano were both memorable. This one merited repeated listening. “Well, I Done Got Over It” was another well-selected cover and arranged as a duet between McDonald and Lawing. Fuller also gets the spotlight for here with some tasty honky tonk piano playing. The song was originated by Guitar Slim (Eddie Jones) in 1953 and covered by Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, and others. “Same Old Blues” is slow and low, with a cool riff. Tom Waits’ “Heartattack and Vine” has a raw, barroom at midnight feel and features McDonald’s growl over the many verses, some loose percussion, Maxwell’s gritty guitar, and Strawser’s organ. The record wraps-up appropriately with an acoustic Americana take on “Keep Me In Your Heart”, Warren Zevon’s gutting goodbye song from his final album The Wind. McDonald gives a bittersweet vocal performance, and Denham adds the harp accompaniment. It was a perfect capper to an enjoyable, rootsy blues journey.