The last year marked more quality blues releases than any other year in recent memory, especially by younger artists. It makes me happy that the worldwide blues scene continues to trend stronger. There were so many good blues albums out in 2019 that we've decided to expand our Top 10 lists to Top 20 this 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)

My Top 20 Releases for 2019: 2019 was a fantastic year for new blues. Some of the albums on my list haven’t been reviewed by me just yet due to time constraints, but they will be sooner or later……bear with me. Here’s my Top 20 in no particular order:

Big Creek Slim & Rodrigo Mantovani – First Born (Chico Blues): This is a superb set of traditional blues from Danish blues man Slim and Brazilian bass player Mantovani.

Bloodest Saxophone – Texas Queens 5 (Dialtone/Vizztone): This Japanese jump blues unit is always cooking, but this time around they get to back some of the Lone Star State’s finest female blues singers. Not a bad cut in the bunch.

Willie Buck – Willie Buck Way (Delmark): Buck sings Chicago blues the way they used to do it back in the Windy City’s glory days of the 1950’s.

Mary Lane – Travelin’ Woman (Women of the Blues): A marvelous set of blues from the Chicago blues legend that will make listeners wish she’d get to the studio more often.

Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith & The House Bumpers – Drop The Hammer (Vizztone): Drummer Smith turns in a strong set of blues that will please traditional and contemporary blues fans, backed by a great group of fellow second-generation blues men.

Bob Corritore & Friends – Do The Hip-Shake Baby! (Vizztone): This set is what blues fans have come to expect with a Bob Corritore release --- an entertaining set of blues (with hints of rock n’ roll, R&B, and gospel) from the harp master and an all-star cast of the best in blues.

Grady Champion – Steppin’ In: A Tribute To Z.Z. Hill (Malaco): A fine tribute to a soul-blues legend, Champion does a marvelous job with these classic tunes.

Zac Harmon – Mississippi BarBQ (Catfood): My favorite Harmon release to date. A fine mix of blues and soul from one of the most dependable current record labels for either genre.

Delbert McClinton & Self-Made Men + Dana – Tall, Dark & Handsome (Hot Shot): See review in this issue. The Texas roadhouse legend turns in a rollicking set that captures his reckless musical spirit as well as anything he’s ever released.

Various Artists – Battle of the Blues: Chicago Vs. Oakland (Delta Roots): A great anthology set that features blues artists from both cities. Some you know, some you don’t know, but all of whom deserve to be heard.

Junior Watson (featuring Alabama Mike) – Nothin’ To It But To Do It (Little Village Foundation): I love just about everything that comes out of Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studios, but this was one of the best of the lot this year, with the legendary guitarist Watson at the top of his game (with superb vocal support from Alabama Mike and Anderson’s wife Lisa Leuschner-Andersen).

Billy Price – Dog Eat Dog (Gulf Coast): Stellar soul and blues set from one of the finest singers currently practicing.

Ghost Town Blues Band – Shine: A potent mix of blues, rock, and soul, these guys blow me away every time I listen, and each album improves upon its predecessor.

Johnny Rawls – I Miss Otis Clay (Third Street Cigar): So do I, Mr. Rawls, but I’m mighty glad that you are here to carry on his legacy with this powerful set.

The Sensational Barnes Brothers – Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Bible and Tire): This disc sounds like a gospel session recorded at Stax Records. Absolutely breathtaking.

Toronzo Cannon – The Preacher, The Politician, Or The Pimp (Alligator): As much as I like Cannon’s tough guitar work and vocals, I really enjoy his songwriting. It makes me laugh, cry, and think. It’s been great watching him develop his style over the past few years.

Christione “Kingfish” Ingram – Kingfish (Alligator): I’ve been reading about and listening to this young man since he was 12 or 13. That said, this is one of the best debut releases I’ve heard in my 30+years of listening to the blues. A strong, diverse, and confident set that shows the future of the blues is in good hands.

North Mississippi Allstars – Up And Rolling (New West): A typically strong set from the group. A deft combination of traditional and contemporary Mississippi Hill Country blues.

Jimmy Johnson – Every Day of Your Life (Delmark): Johnson just turned 91(!) and he sounds like he’s not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.

The Reverend Shawn Amos – Kitchen Table Blues (Vol. 1 & 2): Two EP’s count as one album in my book. These songs taken from Amos’ series (with assorted guest stars) are a lot of fun and show Amos’ love for the music. Check out the whole YouTube series when you have a chance.