The year 2022 already shows a lot of promise in terms of new roadhouse blues music releases by both established artists and up & coming groups. Some familiar names in the blues world (Keb Mo’, Tinsley Ellis, John Mayall, Eric Gales, North Mississippi Allstars) have all released new albums in the last several weeks that should be on interest to roadhouse blues listeners. If you like your blues loud and rocked, check out Andy Lindquist‘s new recording, My Name is Mud. And blue rock instrumental listeners should enjoy Steve Vai‘s new release Inviolate. John Mellencamp also has a new recording Strictly A One Eyed Jack out that is coated with a pleasant blues roots vibe and includes a couple of guest appearances by Bruce Springsteen.

Later this month, Beth Hart will release A Tribute to Led Zeppelin. The album represents a return to her early days of performing in the mid 1990’s as a full fledged blues rocker. I can’t wait to hear the entire album based on a couple of videos that I have heard so far. Another album due out next week that I already have a promo copy of is Mike Zito’s Blues for the Southside. It is a live recording done in his hometown of St. Louis and will give you a good feel for just how powerful a presence and performer he is while on tour. And an album that I did a review of last month, Booze, Blues, & Southern Grooves by Reddog and Friends will also officially hit the stores and music download websites next week. Also looking forward to the new Bernard Allison, Micki Free, and Dan Patlansky as well as releases by Professor Louie and the Crowmatix and Joan Osborne.

In March, new recordings by long time favorites Albert Castiglia, Sugaray Rayford, Duke Robillard, and Larry McCray are due out. And Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne will release an album that is a tribute to Memphis Slim & Willie Dixon. I have a promo copy of it sitting here on my desk…I will let ya know what I think in due course.

Overall, a whole bunch of new badass contemporary blues, blues rock, and roots blues is on the way. I call it the roadhouse blues…..and the roadhouse blues is off to a great start in 2022!

Here is a complete listing of releases that I am tracking:

Out now:

Andy Lindquist – My Name Is Mud

Bob Stroger & the Headcutters – That’s My Name (Delmark Records)

Angela Easley – Rise

Keb’ Mo’ – Good To Be

Robbin’ Ford & the Blue Line – Live At Yoshi’s 1996

Tinsley Ellis – Devil May Care

Willie & the Bandits (UK) – When the World Stood Still

John Mayall – The Sun Is Shining Down  featuring Marcus King, Buddy Miller, Mike Campbell

Eric Gales – Crown – featuring Joe Bonamassa

North Mississippi Allstars – Set Sail

Steve Vai – Inviolate

John Mellencamp – Strictly A One-Eyed Jack

Upcoming Releases – During February:

Beth Hart – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (Feb 25)

Bernard Allison – Highs & Lows

Micki Free – Turquoise Blue

Reddog and Friends – Booze, Blues, and Southern Grooves

Dan Patlansky – Shelter of Bones

Mike Zito – Blues for the Southside (Live) (Feb 18)

Joan Osborne –  Radio Waves

The Kenneth Brian Band – Keys to the Kingdom

Kathy Murray & the Kilowatts – Fully Charged

The Love Light Orchestra – Leave the Light On

Professor Louie and the Crowmatix – Strike Up the Band

Upcoming Releases – March:

Sugaray Rayford – In Too Deep (March 4)

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne – Blues From Chicago to Paris: A Tribute to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon

The Duke Robillard Band – They Called It Rhythm & Blues

Big Daddy – It’s a Mad Mad Bad Dad World (March 11)

Larry McCray – Blues Without You (March 25) KTBA Records

Albert Castiglia – I Got Love (March 25) Gulf Coast Records

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#blues #roadhouse blues

Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a personal 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB