Because 10 just isn’t enough: My top blues and near-blues (that is, old-school R&B/soul and roots rock and roll) albums of last year. I won’t rank them except to let you know that my favorite record of 2017 was a tossup between this Hi-Style Records release by Jake La Botz, loaded with a bunch of tremendous songs, fine singing and playing, and a sound 100% all its own (production by Jimmy Sutton):
Jake La Botz – Sunnyside
and this outstanding, idiosyncratic, stone cold blues CD from Austin, Texas’s almost-under-the-radar all-star band, The Peacemakers, featuring Mike and Corey Keller, Johnny Bradley, Willie Pipkin, and Greg Izor:
The Peacemakers
And now, 30 or so other albums you’ll want to have if you dig Real American Music, as it’s sometimes called, in alphabetical (not ranked) order, as they’re pretty much all indispensable, and I am enthusiastic about every one of them. (Cover art follows the list.)
Adrianna Marie & Her Roomful of All-Stars – Kingdom of Swing
Andy T Band feat. Alabama Mike – Double Strike
Chris Armour Quartet – Tele-Porter
B.B. and The Blues Shacks – Reservation Blues
Don Bryant – Don’t Give Up On Love
Rockin’ Johnny Burgin – Neoprene Fedora
The Cash Box Kings – Royal Mint
Chris Cain
Chris Corcoran Band – Blues Guitar Grooves
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Daniel De Vita, Netto Rockfeller, JM Carrasco – Third World Guitars
Eastside Kings
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – Groovin’ in Greaseland
Billy Flynn – Lonesome Highway
Various Artists of Greaseland – Howlin’ at Greaseland
Casey Hensley featuring Laura Chavez – Live
Egidio “Juke” Ingala & The Jacknives – Switcharoo
Greg Izor and Marco Pandolfi – Homemade Wine
Nathan James – What I Believe
Marquise Knox – Black and Blue
Miss Freddye – Lady of the Blues
Konstantin Kolesnichenko – Minor Differences
Martin Lang – Ain’t No Notion
The Love Light Orchestra featuring John Németh – Live from Bar DKDC in Memphis, TN!
Bia Marchese – Love Me Right
The Paladins – New World
John Primer & Bob Corritore – Ain’t Nothing You Can Do
Laura Rain & The Caesars – Walk With Me
Patrick Recob – Perpetual Luau
Chris Ruest & Gene Taylor – It’s Too Late Now
The Red Devils – Return of the Red Devils
San Pedro Slim – In Times Like These
Joakim Tinderholt – Hold On
Jimmie Vaughan Trio featuring Mike Flanigin – Live at C-Boy’s
Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – After A While
Monster Mike Welch & Mike Ledbetter – Right Place, Right Time
Peter Ward – Blues On My Shoulders
Kim Wilson – Blues & Boogie Vol 1
Oscar Wilson – One Room Blues
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