A little over a year after releasing his album Road-Dog’s Teeth, New Orleans and Brooklyn based bluesman Johnny Azari returns with the double LP 'God Damn Blues (The Newest Testament).' As heard on the slide guitar-based, dusty single “God Damn Blues” (video streaming below), the Shiraz-born singer/multi-instrumentalist impressively conveys real-life hurt through his devilishly charming voice, effectively creating a portrait of a luckless man just trying to survive. It’s a seemingly classic blues story that Azari tells with obvious charisma and artful songwriting. – Zach Weg

Johnny Azari makes thick delta blues songs out of Brooklyn.  The most obvious comparison is Tom Waits; Azari's vocals are rough, expressive and fierce, accuratley delivering the grim and depressing messages in his music.  "I used to be a contendor/Now I'm just a bummer/I used to be somebody/But now I am no one," he wheezes on "Bitter" off his recent album, Road-Dog's Teeth.  The song is tastefully combined with Jamie Elizabeth's crispy clean harmonies, adding an extra modern tinge to the elemental roots.  You can catch Johnny Azari at The Rockwood Music Hall on August 1st.  Stream "Bitter" below.  -Jake Saunders

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