Anyway, here's my top fifteen for the year...
15.) Trudy Lynn -- I'll Sing The Blues For You (Connor Ray Music) The veteran Houston native has brought forth an excellent album. From the first notes of "Alright Baby" to the last notes of "Down On Bended Knee" Lynn displays a great R&B sensibility and class and style.
14.) Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings -- The Blues Don't Care (Cleopatra Blues) I loved this one. The first blues release by Frank Bang after spending 25 years with Buddy Guy--with strong songs, strong playing and singing. He said "I have been waiting to make this record my whole life."
13.) Sari Schorr & The Engine Room -- A Force Of Nature (Manhaton Records) This came out in September, and it has all the feel of a debut--it seemed to me that they were going for broke with every note. When I first heard it I was exhausted before the end of the first song. There's a lot of energy here--vocal power, great guitar work, interesting songs. They have a world of promise ahead of them.
12.) Diana Rein -- Long Road (Self) This release took Diana eighteen months to create--she wrote everything, plays all the guitars, bass and sings all the vocals. The result was worth every bit of that effort. She channels a bit of Stevie Ray. The title track was the most played song on my Texas Blues Show in 2016.
11.) The Fabulous Thunderbirds -- Strong Like That (Severn Records) See review 1-4-17.
10.) Lex Grey & The Urban Pioneers -- Heal My Soul (Self) See review 11-19-16.
9.) Lurrie Bell -- Can't Shake This Feeling (Delmark) See review 1-1-17.
8.) The Lucky Losers -- In Any Town (Self) Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz and Kid Andersen and a top-notch rhythm section equalled a terrific release. Great songs, great singing, and great music.
7.) The Joey Gilmore Band -- Respect The Blues (Park Lane Productions Inc) This band of veterans made another very strong album. The best thing about this cd are the covers, especially "Night Time Is The Right Time" with lead vocals by the seriously talented Edlene Hart. In my mind Joey's vocals on this cd push this one just barely ahead of Biscuit Miller's Wishbone at the top of the Band category.
6.) Tweed Funk -- Come Together (Tweed Tone Records) One terrific high-powered horn driven ensemble from Milwaukee. This is their best release so far, although everything they have made since 2010 has been worthwhile. This was the feel bad/feel good story of the year with vocalist Joseph "Smokey" Holman's cancer scare--but with things looking up for the band in this new year, I toast Tweed Funk's strength and resilience.
4.) Guy King -- Truth (Delmark) Wonderful jazz-influenced blues. Guitar and vocals to enjoy in any mood or occasion. Would have almost made this list for the opening track along, the Ray Charles song "The Same Thing That Makes You Laugh (Can Make You Cry)." In my mind, this release stood out as the antidote this year to losing B B King.
3.) Dave Keller -- Rick Back Atcha (Self) This one has been in my cd player an awful lot last year, mostly just for the joy of Dave Keller's voice. Tied with Guy King for best vocals of 2016. Special shout out to the Mo' Sax Horns--I love horns on a blues album.
2.) Albert Castiglia -- Big Dog (Ruf) This one came out at # 3 in the annual Roots Music Report, behind only Tedeschi Trucks Band's "Let Me Get By" and Janiva Magness' "Love Wins Again." I liked Albert's cd better than both of those. This cd is the best work Albert has done so far. Cudos to Mike Zito for helping Albert achieve just that little bit extra. My pick for best blues-rock cd of the year. 15.) Trudy Lynn -- I'll Sing The Blues For You (Connor Ray Music) The veteran Houston native has brought forth an excellent album. From the first notes of "Alright Baby" to the last notes of "Down On Bended Knee" Lynn displays a great R&B sensibility and class and style.
14.) Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings -- The Blues Don't Care (Cleopatra Blues) I loved this one. The first blues release by Frank Bang after spending 25 years with Buddy Guy--with strong songs, strong playing and singing. He said "I have been waiting to make this record my whole life."
13.) Sari Schorr & The Engine Room -- A Force Of Nature (Manhaton Records) This came out in September, and it has all the feel of a debut--it seemed to me that they were going for broke with every note. When I first heard it I was exhausted before the end of the first song. There's a lot of energy here--vocal power, great guitar work, interesting songs. They have a world of promise ahead of them.
12.) Diana Rein -- Long Road (Self) This release took Diana eighteen months to create--she wrote everything, plays all the guitars, bass and sings all the vocals. The result was worth every bit of that effort. She channels a bit of Stevie Ray. The title track was the most played song on my Texas Blues Show in 2016.
11.) The Fabulous Thunderbirds -- Strong Like That (Severn Records) See review 1-4-17.
10.) Lex Grey & The Urban Pioneers -- Heal My Soul (Self) See review 11-19-16.
9.) Lurrie Bell -- Can't Shake This Feeling (Delmark) See review 1-1-17.
8.) The Lucky Losers -- In Any Town (Self) Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz and Kid Andersen and a top-notch rhythm section equalled a terrific release. Great songs, great singing, and great music.
7.) The Joey Gilmore Band -- Respect The Blues (Park Lane Productions Inc) This band of veterans made another very strong album. The best thing about this cd are the covers, especially "Night Time Is The Right Time" with lead vocals by the seriously talented Edlene Hart. In my mind Joey's vocals on this cd push this one just barely ahead of Biscuit Miller's Wishbone at the top of the Band category.
6.) Tweed Funk -- Come Together (Tweed Tone Records) One terrific high-powered horn driven ensemble from Milwaukee. This is their best release so far, although everything they have made since 2010 has been worthwhile. This was the feel bad/feel good story of the year with vocalist Joseph "Smokey" Holman's cancer scare--but with things looking up for the band in this new year, I toast Tweed Funk's strength and resilience.
5.) Toronzo Cannon -- The Chicago Way (Alligator) For one of the few times, I agree with the rest of the blues world. This is a terrific release. That first vocal "Woooooo" in the song "Walk It Off" makes it Bruce's Song Of The Year.
4.) Guy King -- Truth (Delmark) Wonderful jazz-influenced blues. Guitar and vocals to enjoy in any mood or occasion. Would have almost made this list for the opening track along, the Ray Charles song "The Same Thing That Makes You Laugh (Can Make You Cry)." In my mind, this release stood out as the antidote this year to losing B B King.
3.) Dave Keller -- Rick Back Atcha (Self) This one has been in my cd player an awful lot last year, mostly just for the joy of Dave Keller's voice. Tied with Guy King for best vocals of 2016. Special shout out to the Mo' Sax Horns--I love horns on a blues album.
1.) Deb Ryder -- Grit Grease & Tears (Bejab Music) Deb Ryder's wonderful vocals and a cast of terrific guest artists make this a stellar release. "Prisoner Of War" is my favorite song here, but they're all simply excellent.
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