Best Blues of 2022

Get the Summer Rollin’ with the 2022 Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs of the Year!

The Memorial Day Weekend in the United States serves as the official start of summer and many people will be making road trips and having backyard barbeques with family and friends to celebrate the season and remember those who gave their lives for all of us! For the sixth year in a row, I have compiled my Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs list to help with the festivities and hopefully enliven road trips!

This year’s list is drawn from the over 800 albums and singles that I received from record companies, publicists, and through my association with Blues Music Fan Radio. During 2022, I listened to or sampled 9,419 new songs! Approximately 1,000 of them made it onto playlists for my shows on BMFR and my sets on the Second Life grid. And from among those songs, after over a month of research and review, I have finalized the list.

My 2022 Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Song list is not “the list”. But it is a representative view of the types of music that I love to spin and listen to: contemporary blues, blues rock, classic R&B, and roots music. And whether it is the first song or lhe last on the listing, these are all simply badass Roadhouse Bluzin’ tunes! My hope is that you will listen to the Youtube playlist of these songs (that really helps me to build my channel) and, as the ultimate tribute to the artists, buy the single or album from your favorite download service!

The listing includes artists from the United States, Canada, Europe, and both Australia and New Zealand. Almost a third of the list are female artists. And the range of blues on the playlist runs from traditional Chicago Blues to window shaking blues rock! Outside of the Top Twelve, the songs are listed in reverse alphabetical order because number position doesn’t matter: Every artist on this list produced a memorable song that will be remembered as one of the very very best of 2022! I hope you enjoy the songs as much as I have!

The Roadhouse Top 12 Best Blues Songs of 2022

Buddy Guy – Blues Don’t Lie

He is on his final tour at the age of 86 and going out in style!!

Shawn James – Lead The Way

The first time I heard his voice I was stunned!! He is from the southside of Chicago and an indie artist with a bright future.

Bywater Call – Remain

This Canadian group features lead vocalist Meghan Parnell who has one of those once in a generation voices.

Robert Jon & the Wreck – Rescue Train

Based in southern California, this group has taken the world by storm over the last five years or so. The music is vibrant and can dang sure rattle the window panes!

Sugaray Rayford – In Too Deep

Sugaray is simply a badass and one of my favorite singers. AND he spins tunes too which makes him a double badass!! And he loves cigars which makes him a TRIPLE Badass!!!

Janiva Magness – Strong As Steel

She has overcome a lot in her life and continues to inspire and motivate blues listeners with her songs. A multiple time winner of major Blues Awards, Janiva is one of the great voices of her generation.

Keb’ Mo’ – ’62 Chevy

Keb is just cool. Always has been and always will be.

Tedeschi Trucks Band – Playing With My Emotions

Susan’s voice and Derek’s slide guitar…enough said. They simply make musical magic with a huge talented band!

Eric Gales – Too Close to the Fire

Eric has been rockin’ the blues for 30 years. Finally, with the production assistance of Joe Bonamassa, they bottled the magic for both this song and the overall album!!!

Albert Castiglia – What’s Wrong With You

I got to interview Albert and Mike Zito on tour as the Blood Brothers during April. He was sincere, honest, and forthcoming talking about the blues. He is one badass Roadhouse bluesman!!

Mike Zito – Blues for the Southside

Mike Zito is the Renaissance man of the blues. He writes, sings, produces, and is co-owner of a great blues label Gulf Coast Records. This instrumental is not only of the great recordings of 2022 but one of the greatest blues rock instrumentals of all time!!

Walter Trout – Ride

Walter started out playin’ juke joints in New Jersey sharing stages with Bruce Springsteen in the late 60’s. He honed his craft with John Mayall and the BluesBreakers in the 80’s. And since 1991 has tirelessly toured promoting a brand of the blues that I call the Roadhouse Blues. Now in in his seventies, he is producing some of his finest work!

The Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs of 2022 Complete List

ARTISTTITLEALBUM
Buddy GuyBlues Don’t LieThe Blues Don’t Lie
Shawn JamesLead The WayA Place In The Unknown
Bywater CallRemainRemain
Robert Jon & The WreckRescue TrainWreckage, Vol. 2
Sugaray RayfordIn Too DeepIn Too Deep
Janiva MagnessStrong as SteelHard to Kill
Keb ‘Mo’’62 ChevyGood To Be…
Tedeschi Trucks BandPlaying With My EmotionsI Am The Moon: II. Ascension
Eric GalesToo Close To The FireCrown
Albert CastigliaWhat’s Wrong With You?I Got Love
Mike ZitoBlues For The SouthsideBlues For The Southside
Walter TroutRideRide
Zavala SolBadass SistaZavala Sol
Tomislav Goluban feat. Teresa JamesSpeedin’ Train20 Years On The Road
Todd SharpvilleGod Loves a LoserMedication Time
Tinsley EllisOne Less ReasonDevil May Care
Thorbjorn Risager & the Black TornadoWatch The Sun Go DownNavigation Blues
The War and TreatyDumb LuckBlank Page
The Strongman Blues Remedy and Steve StrongmanTell Me I’m Wrong (Crystal Shawanda)The Strongman Blues Remedy Vol. 1
The Rusty Wright BandNo Turnin’ BackHangin’ At The DeVille Lounge
The Rock House All StarsMidnight Rambler feat. Rick HuckabyLet It Bleed Revisited
The MystixSatisfy You ’22TruVine
The CommonheartTrying to Get OverFor Work Or Love
The Black KeysGood Love (feat. Billy F Gibbons)Dropout Boogie
Sweet Baby James & Rob EyersFine LineFine Line
Snowy WhiteAin’t No Secret ThingDriving On The 44
Shakura S’AidaClap Yo Hands And MoanHold On To Love
Sass JordanAin’t No Big Deal on YouBitches Blues
Ryan Foret and Foret TraditionFlip, Flop and FlyThat’s What’s Happening Here
Ronnie EarlOnly You And I KnowMercy Me
Rochelle & The SidewindersMy Baby Came Back3rd Time’s a Charm
Robin TrowerLosing YouNo More Worlds to Conquer
Robert Connely FarrMiss My BabyShake It
Ray Wylie HubbardDesperate Man (& The Band Of Heathens)Co-Starring Too
Popa ChubbyFly AwayEmotional Gangster
PierceMake it RightThe Slide Session
Nick AndreaSuperstitionBlues @ Dark
Mindi AbairWhat About Love?Forever
Maria DainesTail End of the StormSundown Blues
Layla ZoeWe’re All The Same (feat. Henrik Freischlader)The World Could Change
Kilborn AlleyDo Your DanceTakin’ Time
Kenny Wayne Shepherd BandBallad Of A Thin ManTrouble is…25
Kat RigginsCross the LineProgeny
Julian SasFallin’ From The Edge Of The World (Electric Version)Electracoustic
Joanne Shaw TaylorWon’t Be Fooled Again (Feat. Joe Bonamassa)Nobody’s Fool
Jimmy HallA Long Goodbye (Feat. Joe Bonamassa)Ready Now
Jesse RoperDoes Anybody KnowHorizons
Jeremiah Johnson’68 Coupe DeVilleHI-FI DRIVE BY
Harrison KennedyThanks For Tomorrow (Feat. Colin Linden)Thanks For Tomorrow
Grant HauaBad Man (Live)Ora Blues At The Chapel
Eva CarboniThat NightSmoke and Mirrors
Edgar WinterHighway 61 Revisited (feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & John McFee)Brother Johnny
Duke RobillardNo Good Lover (ft Sue Foley)They Called It Rhythm And Blues
Delbert McClintonAin’t That Lovin’ YouOutdated Emotion
Dana FuchsSave MeBorrowed Time
Crystal ShawandaWhat Kind Of ManMidnight Blues
Bruce SpringsteenDo I Love YouOnly the Strong Survive
Bonnie RaittMade Up MindJust Like That…
Blue Moon MarqueeHound Dog On A ChainScream, Holler & Howl
Black PearlDelivery ManBlack Pearl
Bison HipMid Life CrisisMid Life Crisis
Big B and the Actual ProofFive Hundred LargeThe Noir Album
Beth HartThe Rain SongA Tribute To Led Zeppelin
Ben LevinI’ve Been Drinking Muddy Water (Feat. Lil’ Jimmy Reed)Take Your Time
Ash GrunwaldLet Me GoShout Into the Noise
Angel ForrestEverything Changes (Feat. Wellbad)Angel’s 11, Vol. II

#blues #bluesmusic #bluesrock #benveeroadhouseblues #bluesnews

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 as well as a Youtube channel.

Best Blues of 2022 – Notable Live and Compilation Roadhouse Blues Releases

ZZ Top – RAW (That Little Ol’ Band From Texas Original Soundtrack) (2022 Shelter Records/BMG)

Recorded in 2019 as part of the documentary “That Little Ol’ Band from Texas“, this legendary trio retreated to their garage rock roots by renting the oldest dance hall in Texas, the Gruene Hall, and then crankin’ out versions of a dozen of their classic tunes. There were no crowds; just the band and recording staff. Dusty Hill was magical on the bass, Frank Beard kept a tight pocket with an insistent beat, and Billy Gibbons provided his signature guitar licks and raw vocals. With the death of Dusty, the magic that was ZZ Top will never pass this way again. And as the last recording of the group, it stands as a mighty testament to their fusion of rock and blues. It is well worth every nickel you pay for the download or the vinyl.

Creedence Clearwater Revival – At the Royal Albert Hall April 14, 1970 (2022 Craft Records)

Recorded by the BBC during Creedence Clearwater Revival’s first tour of Europe in 1970, this music was never released because of the never ending battles between the band and their original label, Fantasy Records. Now, after 52 years, you get to hear CCR at their finest with John Fogerty on vocals and guitars, his older brother Tim Fogerty on rhythm guitars, Stu Cook on bass and Doug ‘Cosmo’ Clifford on drums.

CCR sprang to fame in 1968 with a cover of Dale Hawkin’s Suzy Q, burned brightly as a true super group for 4 years and then they were gone; the victim of internal band strife and business battles. But on this spring night in 1970, they were in top musical form for the 13 songs on the recording kicking out what I have always referred to as swamp blues rock. For me, this was a nostalgic trip back to the golden era of music. For those of you who may have never have heard CCR live, this recording is well worth a listen and representative of the talent of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Joan Osborne – Radio Waves (2022 Womanly Hips Records)

Joan Osborne is one of those artists that I have always included in the pantheon of Roadhouse Blues artists because her music and songwriting are an outpouring of her soul; to me the essence of the blues. She got her start singing at blues mic open nights at clubs in New York City in the 1980’s. She had a mega hit with One of Us in the 1990’s but I have never felt the song was representative of her body of work which is much more blues, soul and R&B influenced. In fact, she was nominated for a Grammy for the best blues album of 2013, Bring It On Home.

Her newest recording, Radio Waves, is an interesting compilation of 13 songs that she recorded at radio stations between 1995 and 2012. Normally these type recordings are done as part of a promotional tour and have more of a live feel to them which is a strong suit for Joan. Give Shake Your Hips, Only You and I Know, and My Love Is Alive a listen They should help remind you of the talent of this gifted songwriter and singer.

Hundred Seventy Split – The Story So Far (2022 Repertoire Records )

Formed in 2010, this blues rock trio features the legendary Leo Lyons of Ten Years After on bass, Joe Gooch on vocals and guitars, and Damon Sawyer on drums. They are a fabulous band and this recording features songs from five of their recordings over the past decade. Joe on guitar is a fantastic replacement for the late great Alvin Lee. Take a listen to Going Home to see what I mean. Devil To Pay is some straight up badass blues rock and I Grew Up on Muddy Waters is a live tribute to the man who is the father of the electric Roadhouse Blues. This compilation recordings should serve as a great introduction to the many of you that are not yet familiar with this great British roadhouse blues group!!

2022 – The Ben Vee Best Blues Rock Tribute Albums

I have started compiling my Roadhouse Blues “Best of” lists and over the next couple of months, they will begin to appear here on my blues blog, on my Youtube Video channel, and on my Spotify playlists. During 2022, I reviewed or sampled over 750 new blues and blues rock albums and over 10,000 songs submitted to me directly or that I received via my association with BluesMusicFan Radio. For 2022, there are three albums that pay tribute to Roadhouse blues rock artists and their music that I think are well worth your time!

Beth Hart – A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group 2022)

Beth Hart has one of the best and most distinctive voices of her generation. She has been a perennial member of my internet radio show playlists over the last decade. She is a California native who got her big break when she won the annual Ed McMahon Star Search competition back in the early 1990’s. One of the highlights of her early concerts were renditions she did of Led Zeppelin tunes. There are videos on the net that show her singing her heart out and even dropping to the floor belting out Zepp tunes Robert Plant style. But as the nineties progressed, Beth got steadily more and more out of control as she dealt with drug issues and she eventually had to take a break to get her life back together. The albums Leave The Light On and My California helped revive her career in the mid 2000’s and she became a favorite amongst blues and blues rock audiences through her association with Joe Bonamassa on the 2011 Don’t Explain, the 2013 See Saw, and the 2018 Black Coffee releases.

In 2022, Beth Hart returned to her blues rock roots with the 12 song release of “A Tribute to Led Zeppelin“. Always known as a high energy concert performer, the power and quality of her voice are a perfect match for the tunes. She covers songs from a number of the eight Led Zeppelin studio recordings including the classics Stairway to Heaven and Kashmir. My personal favorite is her cover of The Rain Song; it is Beth in her full majesty!

The Rock House All Stars – Let It Bleed Revisited – An Ovation from Nashville (Qualified Records 2022)

Released in 1969, Let It Bleed by the Rolling Stones is still considered one of the best rock recording of all time. For a group of Nashville studio musicians, together with a talented array of local vocal artists, to take on the challenge of recreating the songs on the album speaks volumes to the lasting legacy of the initial album. Guided by producers Kevin McKendree and John Heithaus, The Rock House All Stars band does justice to the songs while allowing the vocalists some creativity in the their interpretation of the music on the ten songs.

Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) roars out of the gate on the album with his cover of Gimme Shelter and is assisted on vocals by Bekka Bramlett, the daughter of Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Jimmy has been one of my favorite blues and blues rock singers (and harmonica players) over the years and he does a great job on the tune. The title cut, Let It Bleed, is sung by Emil Justian & Greg Mayo. They give it a bit more of a Nashville feel than the original but it is a great cover. Wendy Moten, a finalist on The Voice in 2021, belts out You Can’t Always Get What You Want and Rick Huckaby does a great job on Midnight Rambler. And I really liked the Mike Farris rendition of Monkey Man.

Over the years, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, have toyed at the fringes of country music on a handful of their recordings. The Rock House All Stars have run with that thought and produced an entertaining and respectful rendering of the original album.

Various Artists – Legacy – A Tribute to Leslie West (Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group 2022)

I first listened to Leslie West as a member of Mountain back in the day and I was a fan for all of his life. As the years went by, Leslie became a blues rock fan favorite and produced a series of stellar albums that have regularly been featured on my shows. On Legacy – A Tribute to Leslie West, a heavy weight group of guitar players including Zakk Wylde, Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Robby Krieger (the Doors), Slash, and Yngwie Malmsteen all pay respect to the songwriting and music of Leslie.

As would be expected, my favorite on the album is Mississippi Queen featuring Marc Labelle, vocalist for Dirty Honey and Slash on guitar. Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple, Rainbow) and guitar master Marty Friedman do an incredible job on Nantucket Sleighride and I loved Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) on Silver Paper as well as the Bachman Brothers (Randy & Tal) on Money.

Listening to all of these Leslie West tribute songs brought back a lot of great memories. If you were a Leslie fan, I am sure it will do so for you also.

#blues #bluesrock #bluesmusic

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 as well as a Youtube channel.