David Mac again invited me to join other contributors in submitting a selection of my ten favorite CDs of 2014 to his fabulous site Blues Junction (http://bluesjunctionproductions.com/daves_top_nine_list_of_top_ten_lists). After much agonizing decisionmaking, I delivered this list:
John Németh, Memphis Grease (Blue Corn)
Sean Costello, In the Magic Shop (VizzTone)
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin, Common Ground (YepRoc)
The Mannish Boys, Wrapped Up and Ready (Delta Groove)
Mark Hummel, The Hustle is Really On (Electro-Fi)
Denilson Martins, Big D (Chico Blues)
Nathan James, Natural Born That Way (Sacred Cat)
Bob Corritore, Taboo (YepRoc)
Raoul and the Big Time, Hollywood Boulevard (Big Time)
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, Living Tear to Tear (Severn)
Making the final cuts really came down, in many cases, to a coin toss. So, for the record, here are the rest of the best of 2014 – I daresay every bit as good as my top 10. And I’m certain I overlooked some titles I ought to have remembered.
Robin Banks, Modern Classic (self)
Big Jon Atkinson, Boogie With You Baby (Bluebeat)
Al Blake, Blues According to Blake (Soul Sanctuary)
Nick Moss Band, Time Ain’t Free (Blue Bella)
Laura Rain and the Caesars, Closer (LRC)
Brian Carpy, Rockin’ Bollocks (Bamboo)
Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Pure Magic (Wolf)
Loot Rock Gang, That’s Why I’ve Got To Sing (Big Muddy)
Madison Slim, Close…But No Cigar
Jim Suhler, Panther Burn (Underworld)
Tony Vega Band, Shakin’ At The Easy! (Lucha Libre)
Kai Strauss, Electric Blues (Continental Record Services)
Jim Liban with the Joel Paterson Trio, I Say What I Mean (Ventrella)
Aki Kumar, Don’t Hold Back (Greaseland)
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, You Asked For It…Live! (Alligator)
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