There isn’t much good to say about the year 2021 other than, while we were all still hunkered down because of the pandemic, blues artists continued to produce some fabulous music. Join us today as I play some of the tunes included in my Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs of 2021. I will feature the top ten tunes of the year by Tommy Castro, the Altered Five Blues Band, Dion, Christone Kingfish Ingram, Colin James, J Lee and the Hoodoo Skulls, the Atomic 44s, the JP Williams Blues Band, Polly O’Keary & the Rhythm Method, and Blues Traveler. Which one was my number one tune for 2021? You will just have to tune in at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET today and listen along!
For those of you that can’t tune in, I have already posted the entire Roadhouse 66 Best Songs of 2021 playlist on my Ben Vee Spotify account for you to peruse and I will be posting the list to my Ben Vee Youtube channel tomorrow. (Previous year lists for 2017-2020 are also on my YouTube channel.) A review of the 2021 list will be posted here on my blues blog by the end of the week. It is a joy to put together these annual lists of my favorite 66 tunes from among the 6000 or so songs that I spin for the year. I hope you get as much enjoyment from reviewing my selections, listening to them….and hopefully downloading….your favorites!!
For those of you who haven’t heard of Zac Harmon, he is an award winning bluesman who comfortably resides in the Robert Cray wing of the contemporary blues. In 2006, he won the Blues Music Foundation award for Best New Artist for his album The Blues According To Zacariah. In the years since six more albums have followed including the new recording Long As I Got My Guitar.
Zac has a voice and a guitar style that can best be described as ‘chillin with the soul blues’. His songs on the new album are in parts upbeat, funky, pensive, spiritual, and socially aware. He even ventures “down the bayou” a bit with the delightful accordion accompanied Crying Shame. Zac was born in Jackson Mississippi to parents who schooled him in music. His mother played piano and his father, the first black pharmacist in Mississippi, played harmonica. His dad tended to the needs of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Albert King, Ike & Tina Turner, and Little Milton at times and all those combined influences have made Zac Harmon one of the great blues & soul men of the roadhouse blues.
Now based in Texas, Zac worked with the renown music producer, Jim Gaines, who most notably produced Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, and Journey, to create the soulful music magic on this recording. Backing Zac on most of the tracks are the Rays consisting of Bob Trenchard (bass), Richy Puga (drums), Johnny McGhee (guitars), Dan Ferguson (keyboards and accordion) and backing vocals by SueAnn Carwell and Corey Lacey.
My favorite recording on the album is the title cut, Long As I Got My Guitar. Over the years, I have heard guitar players time and again talk about having survived their days payin’ their blues dues and facing the brutal choice of pawning their guitar for money to pay bills. Zac captures that melancholy experience with some exquisite guitar licks and real world lyrics. I also loved the guitar work on the socially conscious Waiting to Be Free. Another favorite of mine on the recording is People Been Talking which is soul blues at its very finest.
Over the last 18 months all of us have dealt with enforced periods of isolation as a result of the pandemic. It has given most of us a new appreciation of family and friends and, in Zac’s case, he says it gave him the realization that “as long as I have my guitar, all is good with my soul”. All I can add to that is that just listening to Zac sing and play on this new recording had a nice calming effect on my soul best exemplified by his song, Soul Land. Give it and the rest of the songs on this album a listen as you chill to some mighty fine soul blues.
Zac Harmon – Long As I Have My Guitar (2021 Catfood Records)
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 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB
Every life is an open road. It’s a lyric from the title cut for Colin James‘ 20th album which was released this week. In Colin’ case, the certainty and direction of his musical journey was cemented when fate intervened back in the 1980’s in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan. A late no show and a desperate last minute search for an opening act for Stevie Ray Vaughan led to Colin. After the show, Stevie told him , “I’m opening doors for you….walk through them!”.And that he did!!
In 1988, Colin released his first self-titled album which contained two self-penned hits, Voodoo Thing and Five Long Years that garnered him the first of his 7 JUNO awards and a spot touring with Keith Richards. Over the ensuing years, Colin has rocked it, been credited with reviving swing music in Canada, and, with the last three albums, solidified his standings as one badass roadhouse bluesman.
The OPEN ROAD album is an impressive collection of original songs as well as covers of tunes he recalls first firing his imagination at the age of 12. It has rockin’ blues songs, traditional blues numbers, and beautiful roots tunes. Overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, Colin drew together the talents of Chris Caddell (rhythm guitar), Steve Pelletier and Norm Fisher (bassists), Simon Kendall and Jesse O’Brien (Hammond B3 organ), and Geoff Hicks (drums) to make the recording. It was mixed at the famed Abbey Roads Studios in London by producer Dave Meszaros. And the product, which includes guest appearances by Steve Marriner (harmonica) and Jerry Cook and Steve Hilliam (saxophone) is in my opinion his best overall release to date and worthy of consideration as one of the best blues recordings of 2021 world wide, not just in Canada. To give you a feel for just how good it is, I use a 5 star rating system for songs and there are 13 on the Open Road recording. My overall rating is an incredible 57 out of a possible 65. As context, my normal rating for an album I considered great would be 40 to 45! This recording is special!!
The album opens with some tasty guitar pickin’ on the Tony Joe White song As The Crow Flies. Colin then takes on challenge of covering an Albert King tune, Can’t You See What You’re Doing to Me. He follows that up with some badass lowdown blues on That’s Why I Am Crying. The fourth song Open Road was written by Colin and Craig Northey. It is insightful observation on life and the travails of a traveling musician. On the fifth tune, Change It, Colin pays tribute to his fateful meeting with Stevie Ray with a song written by Doyle Bramhall. The album also contains two songs written by Colin and Colin Linden, another of my favorite Canadian artists, Raging River and There’s a Fire. Colin cranks out a signature rockin blues tune, Leave This House, that he wrote with Tom Wilson as the seventh cut. Colin’s version of the Bob Dylan song, It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry is a showcase for his voice and some more tasty guitar licks. And he absolutely aces another Dylan tune, Down On the Bottom, that served as one of the “promo singles” released back in September. Colin also delivers a fabulous cover of the John Lee Hooker song, Bad Boy. One of my all time favorite bluesmen is Otis Rush and the recording of It Takes Time featuring some exquisite harmonica by Steve Marriner is just simply badass roadhouse blues! And to top it all off, the last song on the album is a soulful rendition of Otis Redding‘s I Love You More Than I Can Say.
I have been told that the average music lover buys a dozen or so albums a year. In what is fast becoming the new age of the single, I highly recommend that you purchase the entire recording to truly appreciate what an incredible recording this is! And in the coming months, I will be more than willing to hit the open road to see Colin James work his musical magic on stage….how about you?
Colin James – Open Road (2021 Stony Plain Records)
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 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB
Join me today on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com for my Roadhouse Blues Nooner from 12-2 pm EST. I will be spinning tunes by Karin Rudefelt, Mia Vermillion, Forest McDonald, Tiffany Pollack, Tullie Brae, Mike Zito, and a bunch more.
So you still have people on your Christmas list to shop for or maybe just a little something for yourself? No problem!! Here are some roadhouse blues albums that will endear you to your friends and help out the blues artists….all of whom have been financially struggling during this hideous year while producing some fantastic tunes!
Steve Strongman – Tired of Talking (Stony Plain Records 2020)
Steve Strongman drifts effortlessly from traditional blues to R&B and soul and then to roots acoustic music on this fine album, Tired of Talking. This Canadian artist sings, plays the guitar, dobro, and does some damn fine harpin’ also. He’s good enough to have opened for B.B. King, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy and that is damn sure good enough for me….and hopefully for YOU! Give Just Ain’t Right a listen!
Grainne Duffy – Voodoo Blues (2020 Independent Release)
With a powerful gritty soulful voice, this Irish lass has delivered a masterful roadhouse blues recording with the release of her seventh album, Voodoo Blues. Part roots blues, southern rock, and blues rock, overall it is representative of the talent and bright future that she has. Her style is ready made for live performances and festival appearances. As soon as the pandemic recedes, expect to hear a lot more from her! Give the title cut, Voodoo Blues, a listen….see what I mean!!
Johnny Iguana – Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular! (Delmark Records 2020)
If you love some rockin’ vibrant piano blues….have I got the album for you or someone you know! This badass blues man hails from Chicago and on Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular, he does rousing covers of 44 Blues, Down in the Bottom, Shake Your Moneymaker, and Stop Breaking Down. He was part of Junior Wells Band for a time and has toured or recorded with Buddy Guy, Billy Branch, Billy Arnold, and a number of other Chicago blues greats. Now, on his first album as the band leader, Johnny pounds the ivories through some great contemporary songs as well as blues classics. Cool tunes from a great guy!!
Brother Jon Band – Open Jam (Independent Release 2015)
I’m honored that so many independent artists choose to send me copies of their recordings. Just recently, I got one from Minneapolis that just blew me away. The Brother Jon Band has a badass roadhouse blues sound that is reminiscent of Canned Heat and the Black Crowes with hints of Guns ‘N Roses. Music like this brings back a lot of memories. Give WHEN SHE CRIES a listen (on Spotify) or BOBBY’S BLUES (on Youtube) and see if you don’t agree and then go to this link and download the album, Open Jam!
Duke Robillard – Blues Bash with Duke Robillard & Friends (Stony Plain Records 2020)
Photo by David Lee Black
I absolutely love 1950’s style upbeat blues. It was an era when the blues was in the process of giving birth to rock ‘n roll and the Duke captures the essence of that golden era for music with the new Blues Bash with Duke Robillard & Friends recording. It is an excellent album to have playing for small Christmas party gathering. The tunes are danceable, bright, and energetic. (Try Do You Mean It! This Grammy nominated artist and five time winner of the Blues Music Award as best guitarist has been thrilling audiences all over the world since 1967 and this recordings demonstrates why he won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Kerry Kearney – Tales from the Psychedelta (2020 Highlander Records)
A slide guitar player who I would put up against the likes of Sonny Landreth and Derek Trucks, Kerry Kearney is a Long Island native who released his 18th recording this year, Tales From The Psychedelta. It is actually a compilation album that includes tracks that are no longer in print making it a nice gift for those familiar with him as well as new fans. Listen to his vocals and the badass guitar licks on Voodoo Down The River and I think you will understand why I named this album one of the 40 best blues rock albums of 2020 earlier this week.
Michael “Iron Man” Burks – Show of Strength (2012 Alligator Records)
Michael Burks’ Show of Strength album is one that I place among the pantheon of stellar blues recordings alongside works by Luther Allison and Buddy Guy. Tragically, Michael never got to hear the final mix of his work. He died suddenly of heart failure while returning from a tour of Europe. A son of Arkansas, Michael was the complete blues man; a showman, stellar guitar player, and he possessed a powerful voice that dripped with the soul. There isn’t a bad song among the 12 tracks and my personal favorite is Storm Warning. You can’t go wrong with this as a stocking stuffer for a friend or family member.
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.
The term “roadhouse blues” refers to modern contemporary blues that are primarily upbeat in nature and incorporate the influence of rock, roots music, soul, and R&B.
It’s Thanksgiving week here in the United States and normally a lot of us would be traveling to see family and friends. This year….not so much. Sooo…kick back at home and join us for some badass blues on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET. Got tunes by Ray Charles, Susan Tedeschi, Lonnie Brooks, Willie Dixon, and many more.
Below is the intended playlist:
ARTIST
TITLE
ALBUM
Johnny Burgin
Pumpkin’s Boogie
No Border Blues
Ray Charles
Lonely Avenue
Ultimate Hits Collection (1 of 2)
Barrett Strong
Money (That’s What I Want)
The Best of Soul and Rhythm & Blues
Tim Gartland
You Best Think Twice
Satisfied
Cara Being Blue
Skippin’ Stone
Grit
Kenny ‘Beedy Eyes’ Smith & The House Bumpers
No Need Brotha’
Drop The Hammer
Scott Ramminger
Magic in the Music
Advice from a Father to a Son
Barbara Blue
Too Late Blues
Jus’ Blues
Glen Clark
When The Time Is Right
You Tell Me
Son Seals
Look Now Baby – Live
Blues Guitar Summit
Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats
Rocket 88
The Story of the Blues
Corey Harris
Catfish Blues
Fulton Blues
Russ Green
Somethin New
City Soul
The Nick Moss Band
Note On The Door
The High Cost Of Low Living
Willie Dixon
I Ain’t Superstitious
I am the Blues
Johnny Cash
Get Rhythm
Classic Cash: Hall of Fame Series
Lucinda Williams
Can’t Let Go
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Lyle Lovett
M-O-N-E-Y
Pontiac
Dan Bubien & The Delta Struts
I Gotta Reason
Thieves & Yesterdays
Susan Tedeschi
Little By Little (with The Derek Trucks Band) [2016 Remastered]
Got some Good Time Roadhouse Blues comin’ your way at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com today (October 1st) from 3 to 5 pm EDST. Tune in and listen to new contemporary blues from a slew of great artists including Linsey Alexander, Nick Moss, Johnny Iguana, Johnny Burgin, and Heather Newman.
This is the intended playlist:
ARTIST
TITLE
ALBUM
Dave Specter
Soul Drop
Blues from the Inside Out
Jimmy Johnson
Down In The Valley
Every Day Of Your Life
Linsey Alexander
I Got A Woman
Live at Rosa’s
New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers
Night Time (feat Jimbo Mathis)
Volume I
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones feat. Little Charlie Baty
Too Far from the Bar
Too Far from the Bar
John Nemeth
Sometimes
Stronger Than Strong
Heather Newman
His Soul
Rise From The Flames
Gaetano Pellino
Money Talks
Tribute
Nick Moss Band Feat. Dennis Gruenling
Full Moon Ache
Lucky Guy!
Willie Buck
(All I’m Doin’ Is) Thinking Of You
Willie Buck Way
Johnny Iguana
Down In The Bottom
Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular!
Bob Margolin & Dennis Gruenling
Low Life Blues
Don’t Pass Me By
Johnny Burgin
Late Night Date Night (Feat. Rae Gordon)
Live
Coco Montoya
Trouble
Coming In Hot
Whitney Shay
Love’s Creeping up on You
A Woman Rules the World
Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters
Big Town Playboy
Rise Up
Mary Jo Curry Band
Front Porch
Front Porch
AJ Crawdaddy Band
Don’t Think About It, Baby! Featuring Baxter Robertson
Join me today, June 9rh, for my Roadhouse Blues Nooner on BMFR from 12 to 2 pm ET. I have new tunes from Dion, the James Pitt Band, Mary Jo Curry, The Nighthawks, Jeff Fetterman and plenty of great contemporary roadhouse blues!! Grab your beverage of choice and tune in at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com.
Below is the intended playlist:
ARTIST
TITLE
The Little Red Rooster Blues Band
Rockin’ My Boogie
The Rudy Boy Experiment
Juke Joint
The James Pitts Band
Love Me
The Little Red Rooster Blues Band
Hey, Hey, I Love You
Mary Jo Curry Band
Front Porch
Scott Ellison
Perfect For You
Etta James
Gotta Serve Somebody
Stephen Stills
Isn’t It About Time
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
Live Every Day
Mike Zito
Bad News Is Coming
Heather Newman
His Soul
Lisa Mills
Slip Away
Tony Holiday
Paying Rent
Tom Hambridge
Bluz Crazy
Shaun Murphy
Happy with the One I Got Now
Sean Pinchin
Someone Like You
Daniel Castro
Cold Hearted Woman
Kenny Parker
Hard Times In The Land Of Plenty
Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmy Reed Highway
Omar & The Howlers
Too Many People Talkin’
The Nighthawks
Chairman Of The Board
Jeff Fetterman
Goin’ Down To Nashville
Alvin Lee
Memphis
Rita Chiarelli
Tupelo
Blind Faith
Can’t Find My Way Home
Dion
Hymn To Him featuring Patti Scialfa & Bruce Springsteen
Join me today, May 28th, from 3 to 5 pm ET on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com for some great Good Time Roadhouse blues! I have new tunes by Dion, The Teskey Brothers, Johnny Burgin, Jeff Fetterman, Kat Riggins, Seasick Steve and plenty of contemporary blues!
You can find the intended playlist below……hope ya download and buy a couple during the show!
I have new songs by Lucinda Williams, Jeff Fetterman, Tony Holiday, Eliza Neals, Victor Wainwright, and many more Good Time Roadhouse blues tunes today, May 21st, at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 3 to 5 pm ET. Grab yer favorite beverage and call/message a friend and ask them to share the social distancing blues with ya!!
Ben Vee Blues 