Uncivil War would not have been possible by a less time-tested voice. But somehow Zito’s blues make us feel better. So it doesn’t take a Gypsy soothsayer to announce this new album by guitarist and vocalist John Primer & harmonica master Bob Corritore is a top notch effort. Robert Johnson 20. King tribute ‘Thank you Lucille’ and the hilarious album closer ‘Money.’. When two time-tested veterans of the blues world combine forces, the results are often explosive, brilliant and reliably enjoyable. Memphis Loud is not album without flaws. Known as ‘The King of Slydeco,’ Mississippi-born, Louisiana-reared guitar legend Sonny Landreth is the rare blues musician who truly sounds like no one else. Nothing complicated here, just good old fashioned blues you can shuffle to. The sheer energy between Primer and Corrimore are enough to create magic. The coronavirus pandemic has stopped live music in its tracks – aside from the online variety – and there haven’t been as many album releases as usual. The title track seems to serve as the band’s anthem. This Guitar and Tonight – Bob Margolin, Acoustic Blues Artist, Sponsored by Folk Alliance International The style is instantly recognizable to his fans and likely to promptly convert those who aren’t yet fans. And the album’s other highlight is the soft, slow ‘Rambling Blues.’ Much more than a platform of musical skills, this album reminds us how dark, dangerous and reckless the genre can become when done right. The 31st annual Byron Bay Bluesfest in 2020 is promising to be a big occasion and is always an important date to mark on the Australian music calendar. The track that grooves and swings the hardest is ‘Ain’t Goin’ to Do It.’ It’s the kind of song you play when the party slows down a little and needs a jolt to keep your friends from reaching for their car keys. In 2020, Robert Cray sounds as much like Robert Cray as he did in 1990. Lucky Guy! All told, Royal Tea, is exactly what a fan of Bonamassa has come to expect. Sugaray Rayford, Band of the Year Considering that Kenny was only 20 at the time the poll was taken it shows just what an impact he’d made on the blues scene at the time. Another of the album’s standouts include ‘Rocking in Louisiana.’ Fueled by a swamp-rock attack that Creedence Clearwater Revival would envoy, the track reminds us (as CCR did) that a true fondness for Louisiana blues can live in the hearts of those born and raised elsewhere. A truly memorable effort. It proves that, even when steeped in a century of tradition, the blues is as fresh as this morning’s snow fall. The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling, Best Emerging Artist Album Blues musicians are musical artists who are primarily recognized as writing, performing, … Alligator Records will release 2020 Blues -- New Music From Alligator Records on Friday, August 21, 2020.The digital-only sampler features fresh material from five to-be-released full albums. Here are your winners from the 41st Blues Music Awards. King’s Blues Club In times like these, it’s vital to get the occasional reminder of how fun the blues can be. A Gypsy Woman Told me is a truly stunning album. The blues here can get a little gimmicky and cute from time to time, and Wainright’s voice could use a greater sense of heft. King 8. Joanne Shaw Taylor 11. The songs that most attest to this are The high-octane ‘Groovy Goddess’ and the plaintive ‘Many Worlds.’. As admirable as Dion’s efforts are, his vocals, while pleasant, lack the sheer power needed to give these songs the sheer grit they deserve. The rest of the top 20 blues artists reads like a who's-who of legends. Another strong example is the dance track ‘Sweep the Shack.’ It’s a simple tale about a man who’s eager to finish his day of work to get back into the arms of his beloved. It is a strange time, but like many artists these days the Blues Foundation found a way for the 41st Annual Blues Music Awards to happen virtually. The Gospel-influenced ‘Burying Ground’ may be the album’s best track because it reminds listeners of how much of Cray’s signature sound is rooted in his deep, resonant voice. But any listener seeking guitar wizardry would do no better than the wounded ‘Heart so Heavy.’ Clearly, Fletcher wants us to feel every note and with the aid of his stunning technique, we do. JOHN PRIMER & BOB CORRITORE -THE GYPSY WOMAN TOLD ME, VICTOR WAINRIGHT AND THE TRAIN - MEMPHIS LOUD, ELVIN BISHOP & CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE — 100 YEARS OF THE BLUES, JOHNSON JEREMIAH - UNEMPLOYED HIGHLY ANNOYED. ‘Apple Pie and a .45’ is the most riveting track, detailing the nightmarish recent tale of a madman who opened fire on a black church. B.B. The same can be said of the delightfully shuffling ‘Old School.’. The same could be said of ‘Watch Your Back,’ a darker form of satire than ‘Zombies,’ but also clever and salient enough to the album the color it needs. The country’s natural beauty is … Standout tracks include the soulful B.B. When two extraordinary Chicago bluesmen combine efforts, the results are predictably breathtaking. Another touching example is ‘Black Lives Matter.’. Best New Blues Artists 2020 1. Meanwhile the stunning ballad ‘Crying guitar’ features as gentle and warm a touch as its descriptive title would imply. 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