D.k. Harrell (wed 1/28/26) at Yoshi's Oakland

Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter D.K. Harrell, one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence, sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell--a major draw at blues festivals around the world--is already in a league of his own.
With every exuberant turn of phrase and each sharp guitar lick, the Louisiana-born showman displays a pure joy in performing that’s hard to resist. Talkin’ Heavy combinesall manner of sounds in one supremely satisfying, engaging package…robust yet relaxed singing and fluid yet piercing fretwork. Ultimately, Harrell’s greatest talent is justbeing his own larger-than-life self.
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Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter D.K. Harrell, one of the most formidable young stars of the current blues resurgence, sounds like no one else on the scene today. With his stinging, single-note string bending, deep soul vocals, and attention-grabbing original songs, the 27-year-old Harrell--a major draw at blues festivals around the world--is already in a league of his own.
With every exuberant turn of phrase and each sharp guitar lick, the Louisiana-born showman displays a pure joy in performing that’s hard to resist. Talkin’ Heavy combinesall manner of sounds in one supremely satisfying, engaging package…robust yet relaxed singing and fluid yet piercing fretwork. Ultimately, Harrell’s greatest talent is justbeing his own larger-than-life self.

Now, with his Alligator Records debut album, Talkin' Heavy, D.K. Harrell cements his place among the leading voices of the new generation of blues players. This Blues Music Award-winning guitarist with a soul man's voice and a well-earned reputation as a mesmerizing live performer delivers fresh, emotion-packed blues informed by the tradition he loves and played with the foot-pounding fervor of a revival tent preacher.
Talkin' Heavy continually surprises with twelve instantly memorable original songs filled with Harrell's biting guitar work and authoritative, church-born vocals. Produced by studio wizard and musician Christoffer "Kid" Andersen and recorded at Andersen's now-famous Greaseland Studio, the album shows Harrell as a generational guitar talent with a wide-eyed vision and a street-smart singing style, bringing life to the timeless songs he's writing. He goes deep on the title track, taking a hard look at his surroundings before declaring, "The world is just heavy with the blues." From blazing album opener A Little Taste to the proudly taking-care-of-business Grown Now to the feel-good groove of Vibe With Me to the foot-stomping closer Praise These Blues, Talkin' Heavy is an affirmation of the sheer power of modern blues.

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