We get the month of May going with new Roadhouse blues & blues rock album releases from Reverend Shawn Amos, Misty Blues, Jeff Pitchell, Gary Cain and a slew of singles including new songs by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Eliza Neals, and Quin Sullivan! I hope you get a chance to follow the links and enjoy some badass contemporary blues!!

Recordings Out Now – Albums

Reverend Shawn Amos – Soul Brother No. 1 (Immediate Family Records)

I’ve always considered the Reverend Shawn Amos the Elvis Costello of the contemporary blues. For the new recording Soul Brother No 1, he returns to his Harlem roots with several soul blues tunes and some edgy social observations. There are also several catchy upbeat contemporary blues tunes of the style that I have always associated with him that should garner a lot of airplay.

Misty Blues – Silver Lining

Based in Massachusetts, Misty Blue is led by the deep voiced Gina Coleman. Tinged with a bit of jazz and funk, Misty Blues’ new recording Silver Lining is a chill contemporary blues listen featuring a nice horn section and some great beats!

Jeff Pitchell – Brown Eyed Blues (Dequello Records)

Featuring appearances by Reese Wynans, Rick Derringer, Duane Betts, Charles Neville and Michael Allman, the new Jeff Pitchell recording Brown Eyed Blues is some straight up badass roadhouse blues….oh yeah!!

Gary Cain – Outside the Lines (Qayn Records)

Gary Cain is a singer, songwriter, and one damn fine guitar player. On the new recording Outside the Lines listen to Attitude and you will see what I mean. Gary is a natural blues rocker who can also funk it up real nice! Overall it is a great contemporary blues album!

AJ Fullerton – Closer (Color Red Records)

AJ Fullerton is a Colorado based artist that I got to see last fall at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. His new album, Closer, showcases his roots based sound and songwriting acumen. I have been predicting big things for AJ since I first heard him six or seven years ago and the new album reaffirms his status as an outstanding roadhouse blues talent.

Son Henry & T. Rogers – Grace (Twang House Records)

Son Henry is a New York state native who has teamed with the Hungarian T. Rogers Band to produce a stellar roots recording, Grace. Son has a fabulous voice and writes such great songs. Straddling the line between the blues and light country music (as do Bonnie Raitt and Chris Stapleton), the new recording is well worth a listen!!

Lizz Wright – Shadow (Blues & Greens Records)

Lizz Wright has one of the great voices of her generation and the new recording Shadow is simply fabulous. Give the songs Sweet Feeling and Your Love a listen and I bet you will agree!

Jesse Redwing – Trim the Fat

Jesse Redwing is another talented Australian that should continue to make inroads into the North American and European contemporary blues markets with his third album, Trim the Fat. He will be touring in Europe during the month of May. If any of you readers get to see him…drop me a line and let me know what ya think!!

New Single Releases

The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Payback Time (ft. Billy F Gibbons)

Bridgette Purdy – Sugar Fried Candy (single)

Robert Jon & the Wreck – Give Love (music video)

Elles Bailey – Leave the Light On (music video)

Brave Rival – Five Years On (music video)

Eliza Neals – Colorcrimes

Quinn Sullivan – Rise Up Children

Cody Dickinson – Goodbye Albuquerque, Tuesday Night

Black Country Communion – Enlighten (rock group that features Joe Bonamassa)

Jhett Black – Nothing But You

Jesse Roper – Way Down in the Valley

No Agenda – Stranger

Rob Lutes – Come On In My Kitchen

Lily Anna & the Maverick Queen – Stuck in the Mud

Due Out in May

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – The Hits Keep Coming (May 10th)

Krissy Matthews – Krissy Matthews and Friends (May 10th) Ruf Records

Taylor Bryant & the Shakedown – Electrified (May 10th)

Joe Bonamassa – Live at the Hollywood Bowl (May 17th)

Slash – Orgy of the Damned (May 17th) …yes..it is a blues album!!

Little Feat – Sam’s Place (May 17th)

Troy Redfern – Invocation (May 17th)

Seth Lee Jones – Tulsa Custom (May 17th)

Big Harp George – Cooking With Gas (May 17th)

Alastair Greene – Standing Out Loud (May 17th)

Jeff Slate – The Last Day of Summer (May 17th)

Cass Clayton Band – Message In A Bottle (May 17th)

Bison Hip – Welcome to the Rest of Your Life (May 17th)

Elize Neals – Colorcrimes (May 24th)

Jesse Dayton – The Hard Way Blues (May 31st)

Dana Gillespie – First Love (May 31st)

Big Head Todd and the Monsters – Her Way Out (May 31st)

Sammy Kershaw – Cross Road Blues (May 31st)

Out in June 2024

Joanne Shaw Taylor – Heavy Soul (June 7th)

Seasick Steve – A Trip A Stumble  A Fall Down On Your Knees (June 7th)

Toranzo Cannon – Shut Up and Play (June 7th)

Quinn Sullivan – Salvation (June 7th)

Cactus – Temple of the Blues (June 7th)

Sugaray Rayford – Human Decency (June 14th)

Black Country Communion – V (June 14th)

The Commoners – Restless (June 21st)

Cody Dickinson – Homemade (June 21st)

Lara Price – Half & Half (June 21st)

VA – True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt “Guitar” Murphy (June 21st)

Robert Jon & the Wreck – Red Moon Rising (June 28th)

Tom Mansi & the Icebreakers – Eyeball (June 28th)

J.P. Soars – Brick by Brick (June 28th)

The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down (June 28th)

Upcoming releases in 2024

Billy Price – Person of Interest (August 2nd)

Elles Bailey – Beneath the Neon Glow (August 9th)

Bywater Call – Shepherd (August 9th)

Brave Rival – Fight or Flight (August 16th)

Anthony Gomes – Praise the Loud (Sometime 2024)

Left Lane Cruiser – Bayport BBQ Blues (Sometime 2024)

Randy Lee Riviere – The Wayside (Sometime 2024)

Other Websites with Contemporary Blues/Blues Rock News

Rock & Blues Muse https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/

Blues Rock Review https://bluesrockreview.com/