Blues Bytes is now out of its teen years and it's now been20 years since we published our first issue. It seems like it was only yesterday. As with every previous year, we use the January Pick Hit to feature the reviewers' Top Ten Lists for the past year. We couldn't do Blues Bytes without our team of dedicated reviewers, who year after year submit the wonderful reviews found on the pages of this site for one primary reason --- they love the blues! If you read a review that you like, send us an email and we'll forward your compliments on to that reviewer. Thanks to all of you for your support!  - Bill Mitchell (Editor/Publisher of Blues Bytes)

 

Bill Mitchell (editor of Blues Bytes)

Tim Holek (reviewer and freelance journalist from Canada)

Toronzo Cannon - The Chicago Way (Alligator) - Cannon has been around for a while now and has some other releases out. However, The Chicago Way surpasses everything he has done in the past. His vocals, guitar playing and songwriting have combined to make this a serious contender for record of the year.

Sugar Ray and the Bluetones – Seeing Is Believing (Severn) - Sugar Ray and his band have been one of the most consistent bands on the scene for numerous years. This disc shows they are still on top of their game.

Corey Dennison Band – Corey Dennison Band (Delmark) - An outstanding debut release from someone steeped in the tradition of real deal Chicago blues.

Bruce Katz – Out From The Center - Katz has paid his dues but never seems to get his deserved acclaim. His latest disc is brilliant.

John Del Toro Richardson – Tengo Blues (VizzTone) - This disc proves Richardson is a strong enough musician to hold his own.

Nick Moss Band – From The Root To The Fruit (Blue Bella) - An excellent collection of traditional and contemporary blues.

Moreland and Arbuckle – Promised Land Or Bust (Alligator) - Ok, so this one isn't entirely blues but its one of the best roots rock albums of the year.

Curtis Salgado – The Beautiful Lowdown (Alligator) - This is another excellent soul record from one of the best singers on the scene.

Bobby Rush – Porcupine Meat (Universal) - Now in his early 80s, Rush has released one of his best albums in years.

Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials – The Big Sound of Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials (Alligator) - Once again, Williams proves he is far more talented than the court jester he portrays while on stage

 

Mark E. Gallo (reviewer from Michigan)

It’s been a very good year for the blues. I can never limit it to 10. This year’s 10 is 14 and there are so many others deserving of much attention.

1. Toronzo Cannon: The Chicago Way (Alligator). The best electric blues this side of Luther Allison. Great singing and songwriting – and killer guitar.

2. Vasti Jackson: The Soul of Jimmie Rodgers (Vast Eye). Brilliant acoustic outing celebrating the music of Jimmie Rodgers. Jackson is a maestro.

3. Matthew Skoller: Blues Immigrant (Tongue & Groove). My favorite harp album of the year and my fave tune in “The Devil Ain’t Got No Music.”

4. Deb Ryder: Grit Grease and Tears (Bejeb). Vocal power personified. Best vocal album of the year.

5. Benny Turner: When She’s Gone (NOLA). Benny is a classic Texas blues man who impresses on every song. Fantastic singer!

6. William Bell: This Is Where I Live (Stax). The man who IS Stax Records is a powerful presence 50 years into it.

7. Big Jon Atkinson and Bob Corritore: House Party at Big Jon’s (Delta Groove). Both principals are spectacular. Atkinson reminds of Hollywood Fats. Swinging!

8. Thornetta Davis: Honest Woman (Sweet Mama Music). The Queen of the Detroit blues scene shows why she is.

9. The Record Company: Give It Back To You (Concord). Will remind you of the Black Keys at times. Stripped down and rockin’.

10. Mitch Kashmar: West Coast Toast (Delta Groove). In a year of great harmonica recordings, Kashmar is more impressive with each outing.

11. Big Harp George: Wash My Horse In Champagne (Blues Mountain). The best chromatic harp player out there. Vocals to match the fantastic blowing.

12. Will Porter: Tick Tock Tick; (Gramophono). Pipes? Oh yeah!

13. Corey Dennison Band (Delmark). Classic Chicago blues. This is a name to keep an ear out for.

14. Shoji Naito: New Cool Old School (Ogden). Guitarist/harmonica player from Japan who has a fantastic classic blues album to help you remember his name.

Other great releases are heartily recommended by The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Kenny Neal, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Janiva Magness, Fiona Boyes, a superb Michael Burks re-issue, John Mayall Bluebreakers, Moreland and Arbuckle, Vaneese Thomas, Markey Blue, Sugar Blue, Ina Forsman, John Long, Johnny Rawls, Doug MacLeod, Ray Fuller, and the Honey Island Swamp Band as well as the Golden State Lone Star Blues Review, Knickerbocker All-Stars, Terri Odabi, Fabrizio Poggi, and Sari Schorr. Whew!! What a year!

 

Counting the reviews I submitted this month, I think I reviewed over 160 CDs in 2016. It was REALLY hard to trim that down to just TEN favorites. Overall, I got to hear a lot of great music over the year. Anyone who says the blues is a dying genre obviously hasn’t been listening to any lately. There was a lot of fantastic new blues releases this year, and here are my ten favorites (in alphabetical order):

Lurrie Bell – Can’t Shake This Feeling (Delmark): Another great release from Bell…..If you dig Chicago Blues, you better get this one.

The Bo-Keys – Heartaches By The Number (Omnivore): The Memphis instrumental group adds vocals and heads to Nashville with fascinating results.

Toronzo Cannon – The Chicago Way (Alligator): Cannon’s latest finds him firing on all cylinders. Great release!!

Luther Dickinson – Blues & Ballads (A Folksinger’s Songbook, Volumes 1 & 2) (New West): Dickinson collects 21 traditional folk and blues-based tunes learned over his lifetime….a real musical autobiography that makes for rewarding listening.

Dave Keller – Right Back Atcha (Tastee Tone): One of the best singers in blues or soul gives us his best to date, which is really saying something.

Guy King – Truth (Delmark): Fantastic set of tunes from King, who pays tribute to his influences with a well-rounded set of originals and covers.

The King Brothers – Get Up and Shake It (Club Savoy Entertainment): Nice comeback effort from these guys….this is a hard rocking funky set of updated blues classics.

Trudy Lynn – I’ll Sing The Blues For You (Connor Ray): Ms Trudy could sing the “S” section of the Houston phone book and I’d listen. A great singer backed by a fantastic band.

Elam McKnight – Radio (Big Black Hand): Where McKnight’s musical vision is fully realized. It’s a fun ride!

Tweed Funk – Come Together (Tweed Tone): One of my favorite bands turning out some vintage blues, R&B, and deep soul.

Honorable Mention: The Fremonts – Alligator (Truax), Cee Cee James – Stripped Down & Surrendered (FWG), John Long – Stand Your Ground (Delta Groove), Johnny Rawls – Tiger In A Cage (Catfood), Robert Lee “Lil’ Poochie Watson & Hezekiah Early – Natchez Burnin’ (Broke & Hungry)

 

 

Kyle Deibler (Regular Blues Bytes reviewer now living in Colorado)