Reviews
FOLK AND TUMBLE, IRELAND, By Gerry McNally, July 15, 2026
Produced by Jon Grossbard of Feverbarn Recordings, ‘Wrath of Blues’ features an eclectic
mix of thirteen masterfully chosen covers and one brilliant original track. Rather than simply mimicking his idols, Newman absorbs their legendary influences and filters them through his own modern, heavy-hitting style...
“Wrath of Blues" is the ultimate party album. Turn it up to eleven, crack open a beer and enjoy with friends.
AMERICANA HIGHWAYS By John Apice, July 7, 2026
“Ryan’s proficient. His vocals are effective & he has a well-defined, creative, captivating structure to his performances not evident in others. Herein lie Ryan’s special ingredients...
There’s an emotive style & essence to his set. Fortunately, the playing comes from the heart & mind, not just well-practiced fingers.”
BLUES ROADHOUSE: RYAN “BLUWRATH” NEWMAN MAKES IMPASSIONED DEBUT ON “WRATH OF BLUES” By Jim White, July 10, 2026
“Wrath of Blues overflows with 13 smartly chosen songs, plus one original, reflecting a maturity of taste and judgement in their selection. Newman is not just repeating these splendid songs or mimicking great artists, he’s absorbed their influences, filtered them through his own talented fretwork and made them his own.”
MAKING A SCENE By Richard Ludmerer, June 22, 2026
“Newman’s passion for the music and his powerful guitar stylings have earned him the nickname “Bluwrath” and sparked the title of this debut album, “Wrath Of Blues.” It’s an electric mix of covers...with one constant — Bluwrath’s fiercely emotive guitar.”
BLUE MONDAY MONTHLY, Issue 267 August 2026
“Ryan Newman has accomplished a very fine 1st LP, along with the help of some incredible musicians. They all feel what they play and play what they feel. That’s not a given in all the music being released today. No doubt he can play an array of styles, and he proved he’s got songwriting in him...Although he’s “soft-spoken” as a person, his music is not...we can all look forward to a great future from not only him, but for the blues. Pick this one up.”
BLUES IN THE SOUTH, UK By Brian Harman, 1st July 2026
“Born in Chester, Connecticut, Ryan, aged seven took up the guitar he focused on The Beatles but, the overwhelming influence of Jimi Hendrix, changed everything. At 16 he was invited to jam with John Mayall and since then blues became his life.”
BLUES NEWS SWITZERLAND, July 2026
“A new, bold generation is rediscovering the Rolling Stones, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Albert King, Moses Allison, Earl King, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and their contemporaries, appropriating their style unequivocally and effortlessly. Among these young self-proclaimed “angry” musicians is Ryan “Bluwrath” Newman from Connecticut. The nimble-fingered guitarist approaches his idols with a refreshingly lighthearted and enjoyable attitude. His interpretations of blues, rock, and even reggae evergreens sound invigorating, although he usually stays close to the original.”
BLUES 21 UPDATE
Ryan “Bluwrath” Newman / “Wrath of Blues”
Then why should I give this album a listen?
Ryan “Bluwrath” Newman (Chester, Connecticut, 1996) makes his debut with an album that offers his own interpretation of the blues through the classic songs that have inspired him the most. His statement isn’t about what he plays - it’s about how he plays it.
BLUE NOTES AND CONVERSATIONS By John Muller, July 2026
Album producer, Jon Grossbard states, “I was astonished by the style and technique of this young blues devotee. There performance was explosive and authentic. I immediately knew I would have to record him with the best players I knew to help raise him up to where he needs to be — a new young dynamic force in the blues scene.”.....Ryan doesn’t play notes, he creates experiences. “Wrath of Blues” is a celebration filled with the unexpected!! He has the power to take you to places you never thought possible. “Wrath ofd Blues” leaves an indelible mark on your soul.”
ROOTSTIME BELGIUM By Eric Schuurmans, July 2026
This month, Newman debuted under the supervision of producer Jon Grossbard, who was stunned by the style and technique of this young blues lover- with “WRATH OF BLUES." ...
The tracklist...demonstrates his mature taste and sound judgment. Newman is no mere imitator; he allows his influences to shine through, filtered by his own prodigious guitar talent.
ZICAZIC, FRANCE By Fred Delforge, August 6, 2026
From the opening track, Newman attacks “Dust My Broom” with an intensity reminiscent of Elmore Jame while asserting his own signature sound. The slide guitar is short, the groove edgy, and it’s immediately clear why Producer Jon Grossbard calls him a dynamic force on the blues scene....Ryan “Bluwrath” Newman bursts onto the contemporary blues scene like an electric shock: young, passionate, technically formidable, but above all, profoundly musical. His star is rising, and this album is its first bright glimmer.