Thursday Roadhouse Blues Rockin

Join us today from 3-5 pm ET  on www.bluesmusicfan.com as we rock the contemporary blues from Australia, Canada, the UK, mainland Europe, and from the states of Texas and Louisiana! Lots of talent….lots of badass blues!!

Below is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLE
Sonny LandrethNative Stepson
Big Wolf BandI Don’t Love You (live)
The Alvin Lee BandStealin’
Maria DainesDown to the Heart
Marcus LazarusHell Of A Ride
19-TwentyLouis Collins
The Blind PilotsProbably Think Of You
Paul Buchanan’s Voodoo PreachersBad Luck & Trouble
Red SlimEverytime I’m Down
Layla ZoeHoney Pie  (feat. Henrik Freischlader)
Anthony GomesBlues In The First Degree
CloutierGreen Eyed Foolish Man
Sass JordanThe Key (4:10)
Electrified SoulNo Good Place For The Lonely
HendrikseA Good Day for the Blues
Blues FightersPretty Baby
Lee O’Nell Blues GangAs If It Was Enough
Edgar WinterTexas
Blood Brothers (ft Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia)No Good Woman
Lance LopezQuarter, Nickel Or A Dime (With Eric Gales)
Ally VenableHold My Ground
Dr. Wu’ And FriendsLivin’ A Dream
Buddy GuyBlues Don’t Lie
Kenny Wayne Shepherd BandKing’s Highway
Sonny LandrethBound By The Blues (Live)

Ben Vee Roadhouse Blues 12-2pm ET on BMFR

Join me on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com today from 12 to 2 pm ET for a mighty fine mix of contemporary Roadhouse blues (if I must say so myself!. I have new tunes from Buddy Guy, Edgar Winter, Mud Morganfield, Layla Zoe, Shakura S’Aida, Robert Connely Farr, and some classics from John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimmie Vaughan.

Here is the intended playlist. I hope you get a chance to listen in!!

ARTISTTITLE
The B. Christopher BandTake It Home
John Lee HookerMaudie (Live)
Edgar WinterLone Star Blues (feat. Keb’ Mo’)
Mud MorganfieldLeave Me Alone
Texas RedLong Distance Lover
Angela StrehliI Love The Life I Live
Shakura S’AidaClap Yo Hands And Moan
The Lucky LosersHigh Two Pair
Judy Blu Band, TheOne Decision
Umberto PorcaroTake Me Home
Stevie Ray VaughanTell Me
Johnny WinterHustled Down in Texas
The SidekicksThis Is the Blues
The JorgensensOld Black Crow
John Duer And The Blues FreaksWhole Lotta Water
Robert Connely FarrGoing Down South
Henrik FreischladerFree
Layla ZoeDark Heart (feat. Henrik Freischlader)
Freddie KingLet The Good Times Roll
Mike FlaniginI Got My Eyes on You
Memo GonzalezCry Baby
The Smokin’ Joe Kubek BandShow You What They See [feat. Bnois King]
Dr. Wu’High Maintenance Baby
Sonny LandrethBroken Hearted Road
Sue FoleyHurricane Girl (ft. Jimmie Vaughan)
Jimmie Vaughan and Bonnie RaittBaby, Please Come Home
Jimmie VaughanRoll, Roll, Roll
Buddy Guy feat. Mavis StaplesWe Go Back
Buddy GuySymptoms Of Love feat. Elvis Costello
Buddy GuyGuilty As Charged

Roadhouse Blues Nooner on BluesMusicFan Radio 12-2 pm ET

2022 is turning into a great year for new contemporary Roadhouse blues. Join me today on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm ET as I spin new tunes from Edgar Winter, Horojo Trio, Duke Robillard, Scott Ellison, Lolo, Mindi Abair, Nick Andrea, Ash Grunwald, and plenty more!

Here is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLE
Rick HolmstromAll About My Girls
Edgar WinterGot my Mojo Workin’ (feat. Bobby Rush)
Taj Mahal & Ry CooderHooray Hooray
John HammondNine Below Zero
DionRed House (feat. Keb’Mo’)
Delbert McClintonAin’t That Lovin’ You
Tom HambridgeBluz Crazy
HOROJO TrioRagman’s Blues
Duke RobillardNo Place To Go (ft John Hammond)
Sonny LandrethThe Wilds Of Wonder
Scott EllisonRevolutionary Man
John Hiatt With The Jerry Douglas BandMississippi Phone Booth
Ray Wylie HubbardMississippi John Hurt
Mississippi John HurtStack O’Lee Blues
Robert Plant & Alison KraussHigh and Lonesome
Ash GrunwaldGone
The Black StompersHell
Mike Morgan & The CrawlGoin’ Down to Eli’s
Jackie VensonRollin’ On
Whipping PostKing Street
Marcus KingHard Working Man
Walk That WalkWork N Blues
Stacy JonesJefferson Way
Haïkel OuzahrirI Just Wanna Play My Guitar
Tim GartlandMind Your Own Business
Dennis JohnsonGoing Down
The NighthawksTake It Slow
Nick AndreaWhiskey Whispers
Mindi AbairWhere There’s A Woman There’s A Way
LoloMatchbox

Some Live Roadhouse Blues Tracks 3-5 pm ET

Today I will be spinning a number of live Roadhouse blues tracks by Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Trainman Blues, Hurricane Ruth, Rita Chiarelli, Wellbad, Joe Bonamassa, and more. Join us from 3-5 pm ET on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com!

Here is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLE
Sonny LandrethNative Stepson
Stevie Ray VaughanTell Me (please be mine)  (Live 1989)
Johnny WinterBlack Cat Bone (Live)
Luther AllisonGive Me Back My Wig (Live)
Rory GallagherHands Off
WellBadOne Kiss Too Late
Warren Haynes BandHattiesburg Hustle
Hurricane RuthIve Got To Use My Imagination
The Neville BrothersMojo Hannah
Robert Randolph & The Family BandShake Your Hips (Live)
The Jeff Healey BandCrossroads
Blues ArcadiaSeven Days A Week
Sonny LandrethBack To Bayou Teche (Live)
Rita ChiarelliLove You Too Much
Markus K.The Crumbling of The Berlin Wall (live in Nazare, 25feb22)
Trainman BluesWholesome Treat (Live)
Joe BonamassaThis Train
Orphan Jon & The AbandonedGoing (Live)
Josh SmithHow Long (Live)
Gary MooreThe Blues Is Alright (Live)

The 2020 Ben Vee Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs of the Year

The Year 2020 was one that we all were glad to see go. Not only were our family, friends, and neighbors ravaged by COVID but our political systems were stressed and our rights to meet and gather were often suspended. And performing artists and musicians took the financial brunt of the frenzied response as outdoor venues, bars, and restraunts closed across the world throwing millions of performers out of work. But musicians are a resilient and creative group. They retreated, like the rest of us, to their homes, their garages, and their basements and began the process of creating new music using novel internet collaborative tools to record and share their music with other band members and recording studios. The product of their work is what I want us to celebrate in this article. It took new thinking, creative use of software, and dogged perseverance to write, record, and release new music during 2020 and EVERY artist and group that did so should be commended for not giving in to the darkness and continuing to bring the joy of music to us all.

During 2020, I played over 7000 songs on my DJ shows and listened to hundreds of albums sent to me by the artists, publicists, and record companies. I received even more as part of the staff of Blues Music Fan Radio. Out of all that music, I have chosen my favorite 66 roadhouse blues songs for 2020 using only two rules; I had to have played the tune during one of my shows in 2020 and I could only select one song per album. The list represents less than 1% of all music that I broadcast during the year and includes both perennial favorites as well as artists you may not have heard of. These are the best of the best and regardless of position on this listing, they are all fabulous tunes in my opinion. I hope you enjoy reviewing the list, listening to the songs, and hopefully, downloading some for your own music collection or as a gift to family and friends.

The Roadhouse Blues Top 66 Songs

61The Smoke Wagon Blues BandThe Fat ManThe Ballad Of Albert Johnson
62Misty BluesTreat Me Like I WantWeed ‘Em & Reap
63Peter ParcekBeyond Here Lies NothingMississippi Suitcase
64Nora Jean WallaceI’m A Blues WomanBlues Woman
65Lloyd JonesTurn Me LooseTennessee Run
66The Rolling StonesLiving In A Ghost TownLiving In A Ghost Town

The Roadhouse Blues Top 50 & 60 songs

51John Primer and Bob CorritoreKeep A-DrivingThe Gypsy Woman Told Me
52Cary MorinNobody Gotta KnowDockside Saints
53Pinkie RideauBring Me SugarBring Me Sugar
54Dudley TaftThe End Of The BluesCosmic Radio
55Henrik Freischlader BandWhat Have I Done to YouMissing Pieces
56JD3 & The Jondo TrioRocks At The MoonSomething Good
57Shaun MurphyLiving In The Palace Of The KingFlame Still Burns
58The NighthawksChairman Of The BoardTryin’ to Get to You
59Paul Buchanan’s Voodoo PreachersSome Kind Of VoodooTestimony
60New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom RockersNight Time (feat Jimbo Mathis)Volume I
41Mary Jo Curry BandNothin’ Is EasyFront Porch
42Kerry KearneyVoodoo Down the RiverTales From The Psychedelta
43Simon Kinny-LewisBlack Cat MoanAnother Day In San Jose
44The Reverend Shawn Amos & The BrotherhoodCounting Down The DaysBlue Sky
45The Lucky LosersHalf a NothingGodless Land
46Marcus KingThe WellEl Dorado
47Samantha Martin & Delta SugarSacrificeThe Reckless On
48Coco MontoyaTroubleComing In Hot
49Robert CrayAnything You WantThat’s What I Heard
50Dave FieldsForce of WillForce of Will

The Roadhouse Blues Top 40 songs

31Steve Washington (feat  Lucky Peterson)Blues Don’t Cost a ThingJust A Matter of Time
32Tammi Savoy & The Chris Casello ComboAs Long As I’m Movin’That Rock ‘n’ Roll Rhythm!
33Too Slim and the TaildraggersDevil’s HostageThe Remedy
34David Rotundo BandI Must Be CrazySo Much Trouble
35Mick ClarkeAin’t Beggin’ NobodyCrazy with the Blues
36Casey HensleySearching For A ManGood As Gone
37Tas CruSave MeDrive On
38Sass JordanThe KeyRebel Moon Blues
39Mark MayBarbecue And BluesDeep Dark Demon
40Shemekia CopelandWalk Until I RideUncivil War

The Roadhouse Blues Top 30 Songs

21Eric JohansonDown To The BottomBelow Sea Level
22Tinsley EllisEvil Till SunriseIce Cream In Hell
23The Immediate FamilyCruel TwistSlippin’ and Slidin’
24Mike ZitoAfter The StormQuarantine Blues
25Savoy BrownJaguar CarAin’t Done Yet
26Kirsten ThienShoulda BeenTwo Sides
27Larkin PoeEvery Bird That FliesSelf Made Man
28Eric SteckelSince I Been Loving YouGrandview Drive
29Sonny LandrethSomebody Gotta Make A MoveBlacktop Run
30Crystal ShawandaEvil MemoryChurch House Blues

The Roadhouse House Top 20 Songs

11Rae Gordon BandGet Right With The WorldWrong Kind Of Love
12Fantastic NegritoChocolate SamuraiHave You Lost Your Mind Yet?
13Ben LevinMy Back ScratcherCarryout Or Delivery
14Kat RigginsThe StormCry Out
15Albert CummingsRed RoosterBelieve
16The War and TreatyBeautiful (feat. Jason Isbell)Hearts Town
17Anthony GomesUntil The End Of TimeContainment Blues
18Popa ChubbyI’m The Beast From The EastIt’s A Mighty Hard Road
19The Mary Stokes BandComin’ HomeComin’ Home
20Joanne Shaw TaylorHumanReckless Blues

The Roadhouse Top Ten Tunes for 2020

10. Johnny Iguana – Shake Your Money Maker [Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular] (Delmark Records)

Johnny Iguana’s cover of the Elmore James song from 1961 should get you movin’ in your easy chair as you listen. Johnny’s energetic keyboard playing is superbly matched by the slide guitar work of Lil’ Ed.

9. Layla Zoe – Nowhere Left To Go [Title Cut] (Self Release)

Though not officially released until January 8, 2021, I got a promo copy in December and started spinning it so it makes the list! Layla’s growling delivery is just badass and harkens back to Janis Joplin.

8. Wily Bo Walker/Danny Flam – Ain’t No Man a Good Man [Title Cut] (Mescal Canyon Records)

Blues rock with a hint of Dr. John in his voice, Wily Bo is a fantastic UK artist with a growing following. Wily’s delivery is theatric in nature and I can’t wait for the opportunity to see him and Danny perform live on stage one day…SOON!

7. Alastair Greene – Bayou Mile [The New World Blues] (Whiskey Bayou Records)

A native of Ventura, California, Alastair got to collaborate with the great Tab Benoit from my home state of Louisiana to make this recording and the result is a haunting beautiful song.

6. Thorbjorn Risager and the Black Tornado – Come On In [Title Cut] (Ruf Records)

A Danish powerhouse and one of my favorite European roadhouse blues artists, Thorbjorn has a unique voice and he is backed by an incredible seven piece ensemble that just continue to crank out catchy and upbeat roadhouse blues tunes.

5. Dion – Blues Comin’ On (ft. Joe Bonamassa) [Blues With Friends] (KTBA Records)

An American treasure, Dion is still creating vibrant music at the age of 81! Produced by Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive label, Dion got Joe to sit in on this track!

4. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Rock & Roll [Empty Promises] (Alligator Records)

This song is about a deal with the angels and a family’s devotion to a young artist’s future. It is simply beautiful and Christone’s delivery is authentic and riveting.

3. Joe Bonamassa – Why Does It Take So Long to Say Goodbye [Royal Tea] (J&R Adventures)

Another Joe Bonamassa ballad that meshes rock and blues like only he can. He is known as a world class guitar player, but I love his voice and his songwriting. This one is a roadhouse jewel!

2. Walter Trout – Make It Right [Ordinary Madness] (Provogue Records)

At 69, Walter is creating some of the best music of his storied career. The guitar playing on this tune is vintage Trout. I hope I get to see him perform it live sometime this year or next!

1……. Avey Grouws Band – Rise Up [The Devil May Care] (Self Release)

A self released debut album by a group from Iowa features a song that is my #1 roadhouse tune for 2020! Who would have thought?? I know I didn’t until I heard Jeni Grouw’s voice and Chris Avey’s guitar playing on Rise Up. It is not only a catchy but topical tune. We all need to rise up, in love, and confront the issues of our times head on without hate or rancor. It’s a song and a message we all need to spread around! Oh…and by the way…..the Avey Grouws Band will be appearing in concert in June with…..Walter Trout. My #1 and #2 artists on the same stage…..if you are close…go see them!!!!


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.

Springtime Roadhouse Blues 12-2 pm EDT

Join me today for some Springtime Roadhouse Blues at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 12-2 pm EDT. I will have tunes by Mike Zito, Casey James, Misty Blues, Kat Riggins, Lloyd Jones, Bette Smith, Dion, and a bunch more contemporary blues.

This is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLEALBUM
The Little Red Rooster Blues BandRockin’ My BoogieUnder the Covers
Greg Copeland & Steve ‘Guitar’ GillesDon’t Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down (Live)Live In Aotearoa / New Zealand
Casey JamesBulletproof (Duet With Delbert McClinton)Strip It Down
Shawn PittmanTake A Real Good LookStompin’ Solo
Dione TaylorRunningSpirits in the Water
The WildRootsKing Snake Crawl RevisitedWildRoots Sessions Volume 1
Louis MezzasomaValley Of ShadowsMercenary
Misty BluesI Can’t WaitNone More Blue
Kerry KearneyWorld TrainTales From The Psychedelta
Vanessa CollierTake a Chance On MeHeart On The Line
Kat RigginsThe StormCry Out
The Hungry WilliamsGo on FoolBrand New Thing
Lloyd JonesTurn Me LooseTennessee Run
New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom RockersShe’s About a Mover (feat. Alvin Youngblood Hart)New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers – Volume 2
Cathy GrierBackroad BluesI’m All Burn
Joakim WallCan’t Find the Switch (feat. Rastafarfar, Surjo Benigh, Marcus Olsson & Daniel Karlsson)Promo Single
Gary NicholsonStay Away (feat. Wendy Moten)Stay Away (feat. Wendy Moten)
Michele BiondiDown By The RiverDown By The River
Bette SmithFistful of DollarsThe Good, the Bad and the Bette
Sonny LandrethSomebody Gotta Make A MoveBlacktop Run
Anthony GomesMake A Good Man (Wanna Be Bad)Containment Blues
Thorbjorn Risager and The Black TornadoLast TrainCome On In
DionWhat If I Told You (Feat. Samantha Fish)Blues With Friends
Mike ZitoAfter The StormQuarantine Blues
Walter TroutMake It RightOrdinary Madness
Albert CummingsCall Me CrazyBelieve
Wily Bo Walker/Danny FlamAin’t No Man a Good ManAin’t No Man a Good Man (Deluxe)
Eliza Neals/Joe Louis WalkerThe Devil Don’t Love YouBlack Crow Moan

Hot Roadhouse Blues For Dreary Weather on BMFR 3 to 5 pm EST

March has stormed in like a lion bearing cold, wind, and rain here in the northeastern United States. Join us for some hot roadhouse blues at http://www.bluesmusicfan.com from 3 to 5 pm EST. I will have new tunes by the Atomic 44’s, the Vikings of the Blues, John Mayall, Mark Sutherland, Ben Reel, Joyann Parker, Nalani Rothrock, and many more!

Here is the intended playlist:


ARTISTTITLEALBUM
Sonny LandrethTaylor’s RockHound Dog Taylor: A Tribute
John MayallI’m As Good as GonePromo Single
Nalani RothrockEvery Time I Close My EyesThe Rock House Sessions
New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom RockersShe’s About a Mover (feat. Alvin Youngblood Hart)New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom Rockers – Volume 2
Curtis SalgadoSlow DownDamage Control
Jim Quick & CoastlineBlowin’ Me UpRevival
Georgia RandallHound DogHound Dog
HoopleheadsTake Me Back HomeDelirious
Blues CompanyLet’s Work TogetherTake The Stage
Bonny B.One String Is Enough (Feat. Markus Baumer & Ice B.)Bonny B. And The Jukes
The WildRootsMisty Morning in New OrleansWildRoots Sessions Volume 1
Jim Dandy’s Black Oak ArkansasDark Purple Blues – Shake The Devil MonologueThe Wild Bunch
Clas Yngstrom & Big Tex ThreeOutlaw BluesMr Bob’s Blue Devils
JP Williams Blues Band featuring Ekat PereyraMighty Dangerous BoogieJp & Ekat
Lone Crow RebellionDemon Alcohol BluesAin’t No Shame
Eric Burdon &  Jimmy WitherspoonHave Mercy JudgeBlack & White Blues
Atomic 44’sMy ’49Promo Single
Joyann ParkerHit Me Like a TrainOut of the Dark
Hurricane HearnTake A ShotTake It Easy But Take It
Mark SutherlandDevil GrinThe Good Fight
BMFR ID – Jessy HoweJesse Howe of the Vikings of Blues for BMFRBMFR Promo
Vikings of BluesDon’t Let FearSoul Food
The Damned And DirtyCurfew BoogieCurfew Boogie
Jack J HutchinsonHip Slickin’Back To The Blues
Grizzlee TrainRed Headed WomanBurned Him Again EP
Andy SeagraveStill My BabyThe Jungle
JS BluesDevil On SundayJS Blues
The WildRootsWhere I AmWildRoots Sessions Volume 1
Ben ReelAll in Good TimeThe Nashville Calling

End of the Year Roadhouse Blues on BMFR from 12-2 pm EST

Join me today at High Noon 12 pm EST for some end of the year Roadhouse Blues on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com. I have new contemporary blues tunes by RJ and the Houndogs, Bette Smith, The BluesBones, George & Noriko, Austin John, and many more.

Below is the intended playlist:

ARTISTTITLEALBUM
Sonny LandrethThe Milky Way Home (Live)Recorded Live in Lafayette
Bills, TheAsking For MoreTil The Blues Have Gone
Seasick SteveToes In The MudLove & Peace
Eddie 9VBrighter DaysBrighter Days (digital 45)
The Lucky LosersHalf a NothingGodless Land
Larkin PoeHoly Ghost FireSelf Made Man
R J and the HoundogsCut LooseSwamp Religion
New Moon Jelly Roll Freedom RockersNight Time (feat Jimbo Mathis)Volume I
Bette SmithFistful of DollarsThe Good, the Bad and the Bette
Curtis and the ShakerzThe Blues Down In My SoulPromo Single
Brigitte PurdyMemphis HotlineSingle release
Fantastic NegritoChocolate SamuraiHave You Lost Your Mind yet?
The War and TreatyBeautiful (feat. Jason Isbell)Hearts Town
The BluesBonesBetter LifeLive on stage
George & NorikoKuroishi Yosare BushiHowlin’ Sun
George & NorikoQueen Of UndergroundHowlin’ Sun
The Bush LeagueI Feel Like Going HomeHere We Are …Again
Eric JohansonDown To The BottomBelow Sea Level
BackslidersShake Em On DownBonecrunch
GA-20Sit Down BabyPromo Single
Austin JohnTake It Easy BabyDiggin’ In
Jimmie VaughanI Ain’t Gonna Do It No MoreThe Pleasure’s All Mine
Trainman BluesI’m FirePromo Single
Thorbjorn Risager and The Black TornadoCome On InCome On In
The Barrett Anderson BandEmma LeeHypnobooge
The Immediate FamilyCruel TwistSlippin’ and Slidin’
Henrik Freischlader BandWhat Have I Done to YouMissing Pieces
BeauwaterNodding OffWho Works For Who?
Alberta & The Dead EyesHopscotch BluesNo, No. You Go.

The Ben Vee Roadhouse 40 Best Blues Rock Albums of 2020

I am publishing my annual lists early this year with the hopes that people who follow me will give the gift of music for the holidays to friends and family to financially help a group of creative people that have been particularly hard hit by public gathering restrictions. No single working group other than restaurant workers has been hit as hard during the pandemic as artists and musicians. My heart goes out to them and 2021 can’t get here soon enough!

My criteria for picking the 40 best blues rock albums that I have heard during 2020 are pretty simple: 1) A judgement of the body of work on the recording, not just the fact that it may have a hit single. (Which I address in my annual Roadhouse 66 Best Blues Songs of the Year review.) 2) In the blues community there is a lot of respect given to artists and groups that “have paid their dues” through years of recording and performing which I reflect in my weighting of selections for the list. With that stated…..get your credit cards ready and your favorite music purchase app loaded….and chose a couple or more of these albums to help the blues community survive the 2020 pandemic!!

The Top Forty Blues Rock Albums (Listings 31 through 40)

These ten selections include Australian Simon Kinny-Lewis performing a rousing rendition of “I Just Want to Make Love To You” and getting help from Robben Ford on the song “Dagger Eyes”. American expat Seasick Steve cranks out a message to all of us to give each other a break, come together, stop the hatred, and get back to “Love & Peace”. Hurricane Ruth is a blues rockin’ Mama out of St. Louis that continues to do an awesome job of rockin’ the blues with tunes like “She’s Golden”. Some of you may not know of King King out of the UK where they are a perennial blues rockin’ favorite. Their lead singer, Alan Nimmo, has a voice you just have got to hear!! Give the song “I Will Not Fail” a listen!! Sass Jordan delivers a purely blues rockin’ album that includes a great version of “One Way Out” by the Allman Brothers and covers of blues favorites “Palace of the King” and “Leaving Trunk”. The UK’s Snowy White recorded with Thin Lizzy and Pink Floyd back in the day and has put out a string of awesome blues rock albums over the years. Give a listen to “One More Traveler” and “Commercial Suicide” from his latest recording to understand why I think it is one of the very best albums of 2020.

Top FortySimon Kinny-LewisAnother Day in San JoseAustralia
Top FortySeasick SteveLove & PeaceUK
Top FortyHurricane Ruth Good LifeUSA
Top FortyDave FieldsForce of WillUSA
Top FortyKing KingMaverickUK
Top FortySass JordanRebel Moon BluesCanada
Top FortyBilly Walton BandDark HourUSA
Top FortySnowy White and the White FlamesSomething on MeUK
Top FortyRae Gordon BandWrong Kind of LoveUSA
Top FortyRobert Jon & The WreckLast Light on the HighwayUSA

Top Thirty Blues Rock Albums (selections 21 to 30)

Our next grouping of artists includes Casey James who is a talented Texan with a Hollywood smile, a great voice, and plays a badass guitar. One testament to his talent is that Roadhouse Hall of Famer Delbert McClinton recorded the song “Bulletproof” with him on the new album. The Allman Betts Band featuring the sons of the Allman Brothers Band released their sophomore album this past summer. Give “Pale Horse Rider” and “Savannah’s Dream” a spin to understand why I believe they will be one of the great touring bands of this decade. I love the depth of sound of big bands and the seven piece ensemble that backs Thorbjorn Risager as the Black Tornado are world class. Thorbjorn’s voice has driven a number of listeners to my Blues Music Fan Radio shows to jump on chat and ask me “who is THAT singing?”. Give the title cut and “Last Train” a listen…you will understand why. Another fabulous voice of the blues is Canadian Crystal Shawanda who belts out “Evil Memory” and “Move Me” on the new recording. Dudley Taft has done well enough in the music biz over the years to purchase Peter Frampton’s studio in Ohio and record some stellar albums there. Give the title cut of Croatia’s Be Sharp Band recording and you’ll understand why I am so high on this European group. One of my picks for breakout group of 2020 has to be the Avey Grouws Band out of Iowa. They have been nominated for a Grammy and their future is very bright!

Top ThirtyCasey JamesIf You Don’t Know By NowUSA
Top ThirtyThe Allman Betts BandBless Your HeartUSA
Top ThirtyThorbjorn Risager and The Black TornadoCome On InDenmark
Top ThirtyDudley TaftCosmic RadioUSA
Top ThirtyAlastair GreeneThe New World BluesUSA
Top ThirtyCrystal ShawandaChurch House BluesCanada
Top ThirtyMarcus KingEldoradoUSA
Top ThirtyAvey Grouws BandThe Devil May CareUSA
Top ThirtyThe Reverend Shawn Amos & The BrotherhoodBlue SkyUSA
Top ThirtyBe Sharp BandAshesCroatia

Top Twenty Blues Rock Albums (Selections 11 to 20)

This selection of albums includes new recordings by perennial favorites Joe Bonamassa, Tinsley Ellis, Joe Louis Walker, Sonny Landreth, and Joanne Shaw Taylor. All of them are super stars of the blues in general and blues rock in particular. And any of their albums would make great stocking stuffers for Christmas! The selection also includes some interesting newer artists. Eliza Neals, from Detroit, can dang sure belt out a tune with feeling. Andy Watts hails from Israel and gets contributions from Eliza Neals, Joe Louis Walker, and a gravely voiced singer by the name of Roy Young on the Supergroove recording. Hailing from New York City, you need to give the fierce vocals and gritty realism of Bette Smith’s lyrics a listen on “Fistful of Dollars”, “I’m A Sinner”, and “Don’t Skip Out on Me”. Another New Yorker on the list, from Long Island, is Kerry Kearney. His new album includes some stellar cover tunes (“Lawdy Mama”, “Mean Old Frisco”) as well as several badass originals including “Voodoo Down the River”. And last but nevah least is the new recording from Jeff Fetterman. Give “49/61” and his incredible cover of “All Along The Watchtower” a spin to understand why I love his talent.

Top TwentyAndy WattsSuperGrooveIsrael
Top TwentyJoe BonamassaRoyal TeaUSA
Top TwentyTinsley EllisIce Cream In HellUSA
Top TwentyBette SmithThe Good, the Bad and the BetteUSA
Top TwentyJoe Louis WalkerBlues Comin’ OnUSA
Top TwentySonny LandrethBlacktop RunUSA
Top TwentyJeff FettermanSouthern SonUSA
Top TwentyJoanne Shaw Taylor Reckless BluesUSA
Top TwentyEliza NealsBlack Crow MoanUSA
Top TwentyKerry KearneyTales from the PsychedeltaUSA

THE BEN VEE ROADHOUSE TOP TEN BEST BLUES ROCK ALBUMS OF 2020

#10 – Albert CummingsBelieve

Albert Cummings first started recording in the late 1990’s and his stellar guitar playing earned him instant notice. Over the last 20 years, he has released six studio albums prior to this one. Given that he has a day job as a custom home builder, he has not toured as extensively as many of the others on this list. But that hasn’t stopped him from developing a loyal following including one Ben Vee! Give “Call Me Crazy”, “Me and My Guitar”, or his cover of “Hold On” and “My Babe” a spin to get a good feel for his talent.

#9 – Too Slim and the TaildraggersThe Remedy

If ya just want to listen to power trio blues rock to chase the black clouds in your mind away, there is no better remedy than Too Slim and The Taildraggers. Tim “Too Slim” Langford has a distinctive gravely voice and cranks out sonic pyrotechnics that are a meld of Robin Trower and ZZ Top. Give “Devil’s Hostage”, “She Got the Remedy”, and “Reckless” a listen to understand my amazement at the number of people that don’t know who this group is though they have released over TWENTY albums since the mid 1980’s.

#8 – Larkin PoeSelf Made Man

This talented sister duo has taken the world by storm over the last several years and are probably the best selling artists on this year’s list. Their music is highly accessible as evidenced by their crossover appeal to blues, rock, country, and gospel audiences. During the pandemic, I have tuned into several of their live performances on Facebook and it is incredible to watch them just wing their way through their songs while chatting, laughing, and having a generally fine time from a small room. Give a listen to “Every Bird That Flies”, “Holy Ghost Fire”, and “Danger Angel” to understand what all the commotion is about. I can’t imagine you going wrong giving this album as a gift to anyone on your shopping list!

#7 – Savoy BrownAin’t Done Yet

The music of Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown helped coin the phrase “blues rock” back in the late 1960’s. Over 50 years later, Kim is still producing amazing songs! The title cut is definitive blues rock, “Jaguar Car” will get ya moving in your computer chair, and “Rocking In Louisiana” is a tribute to the music and people of my home state. Every tune on this recording rocks the blues….enough said.

#6 – Anthony GomesContainment Blues

A Canadian blues rocker with a distinctive voice and incredible guitar talents, Anthony Gomes released his first album in the late 1990’s. Over the ensuing years, he has released eight more studio albums and garnered a very loyal following. He has the swagger of a rock star and the persona to match. While he can crank it out with the best of them, he also writes beautiful blues rock ballads like ” Until the End of Time” that is included on the latest release. My bet is if ya love blues rock, you will love “Hell and Half of Georgia”, “Make a Good Man (Wanna Be Bad), and “Tell Somebody”. And kudos to Anthony for having the courage to record “Stop Calling Women Hoes and Bitches”….I’ve had enough of the use of these hateful terms in “pop culture”…how about you?

#5 – Eric JohansonBelow Sea Level

In 2017, Eric Johanson released his debut album BURN IT DOWN on Tab Benoit’s Whiskey Bayou and spent the next two years touring with and opening for Tab. I spun it all the time during my internet radio shows. In early 2019, he made a duet recording with Tiffany Pollack entitled BLUES IN MY BLOOD. I spun it all the time again. Now in 2020, he has released BELOW SEA LEVEL and guess what? I spin it all the time!! Eric, who lives in New Orleans, does a great job of melding the blues with rock in a style that is distinctively his own. On the latest release he expands the limits of the blues with tunes like “Buried Above Ground”, “Down to the Bottom”, and “River of Oblivion”. Ya gotta listen!! Eric is a blues rock star in the making!

#4 – Mike ZitoQuarantine Blues

Some people have the talent and inspiration to make the best of any situation. Mike Zito is one of those people. A gifted singer, songwriter, guitar player, producer, and now record company owner, Mike exudes confidence with a proverbial twinkle in his eye. Another artist that I have watched on Facebook several times during the pandemic (and made my first Venmo contribution to on my phone), Mike is as relaxed playing in his home studio as he is before large audiences. I first got turned on to Mike with the release of Pear River in 2009 and he just keeps gettin’ bettah and bettah. Give “After the Storm”, “Dark Raven”, and “Don’t Let the World Get You Down” for a tiny glimpse of his talent. Oh..and by the way…the title cut is my defining song of the 2020 pandemic.

#3 – Wily Bo Walker/Dennis FlamAin’t No Man a Good Man

I’ve been a big Wily Bo Walker fan since I first became aware of him in 2015 and his latest collaboration with Dennis Flam is a jewel of a recording. This British artist channels Dr. John as he weaves music and storytelling into a magical series of songs. The title cut and associated “return” tune “Build My Gallows” are absolutely incredible. So much so that they got stuck in my head for days on end. “Ain’t Hungry No More”, “Fool For You”, “Walking with the Devil”, and “Night of the Hunter” should give you a good feel for his style and talent. Additionally, he does a great cover of “St. James Infirmary Blues” as well as a tune called “Did I Forget” that would fit perfectly during a set at Tipitina’s in New Orleans. If you have friends that enjoy Night Tripper style blues, this album will make a great stocking stuffer for them.

#2 – DionBlues With Friends

Dion started out as a teenage rock and roller back in the early 1960’s. Now in his eighties and still a fantastic artist, a literal who’s who of the music world have gotten together to pay homage to this giant of American music on the Blues With Friends recording. Billy Gibbons, Joe Bonamassa, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa, Sonny Landreth, Paul Simon, Rory Block, Stevie Van Zandt, Samantha Fish, Joe Louis Walker, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, and John Hammond all make contributions. This recording is not only a great blues rock album, it will almost certainly be in contention for the prestigious 2020 Blues album of the year award at next year’s Blue Music Foundation ceremonies in Memphis.

My favorite cuts are “Blues Comin’ On” with Joe Bonamassa, “I Got Nothin'” with Van Morrison and Joe Louis Walker, “Way Down (I Won’t Cry No More)” with Stevie Van Zandt, and the contemporary gospel song “Hymn to Him” with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.

You can’t go wrong giving this album as a Christmas present to anyone you know that loves music. On an interesting side note, this is also the first label release for Joe Bonamassa’s new recording company, Keep The Blues Alive (KTBA)….quite an impressive start!

#1 – Walter TroutOrdinary Madness

At the age of 69, Walter Trout has released possibly the greatest album of his long and storied career, Ordinary Madness. He started out in the late 1960’s playing bars and juke joints in his home state of New Jersey alongside other bands including one that featured another blossoming talent, Bruce Springsteen. By the time the eighties rolled around, his guitar playing and love of the blues had landed him gigs with John Lee Hooker and Canned Heat and drawn the attention of John Mayall. In 1984, he became another of the legendary guitarists (e.g. Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor) to play in the Bluesbreakers.

In 1989, he started his own band and became an overnight sensation in Europe. He played and released albums there for almost ten years before his United States solo debut in 1998. And during the past decade he has released eight of what I consider to be the finest albums of the blues rock genre including one, Luther’s Blues, that paid homage to the great Luther Allison.

Walter’s blues are often described as hard core, a term that reflects as much how he lived his life as the music he played. Renowned for his live performances, the constant touring lead to bouts with alcoholism that culminated in liver failure in 2014. He was able to receive a life saving transplant that year and returned to performing in 2015 with an album, Battle Scars, that chronicled his desperation and fears while awaiting a suitable matching liver.

Ordinary Madness is an unapologetic blues rock recording with songs that address his observations on life and time (“Final Curtain Call”, “The Sun Is Going Down”, “Ordinary Madness”) and thoughts on love and relationships (“All Out of Tears”, “Heaven in Your Eyes”, “My Foolish Pride”). My favorite three songs on the album are “Up Above My Sky”, “Make It Right”, and the simply incredible “Wanna Dance” which is likely to be my favorite single for 2020 when I publish my Roadhouse 66 list of the best songs of the year.

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All in all, it was an incredible year for fans of the blues rock genre. I hope you enjoyed reviewing the list and PLEASE download one or more of these albums to help the artists that you enjoy listening to.


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.

End of August 2020 Good Time Roadhouse Blues 3-5pm EST

It’s already the end of August….and 2020 can’t get done soon enough for me!! Join us today, August 27th, from 3 to 5 pm EST for the Ben Vee Good Time Roadhouse Blues show on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com. Let’s blues the day away…..together!!

The intended playlist is below:

ARTISTTITLEALBUM
Andrew AlliChrome-A-ThickHard Workin’ Man
Linda ShellMe & The Band (Me & My Guitar)Under The Influence
The Lucky LosersHalf a NothingGodless Land
Savoy BrownRiver On The RiseAin’t Done Yet
Wayne Nicholson & John CampbelljohnShake Your Money MakerElmore’s Blues
Turn OnWasted DaysThe Ghost On The Wall
JD TaylorBy All MeansThe Coldwater Sessions
Kenny Wayne ShepherdBorn In Louisiana (Live With Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown)The Legends EP Vol. II
Sonny LandrethCongo SquareKFOG Live From The Archives 2
Tab BenoitFever For The Bayou
Carolyn WonderlandSwampMoon Goes Missing
Honey Island Swamp BandHead High Water BluesDemolition Day
Laurence JonesSoul Swamp River
SmokehouseCadillac In the SwampCadillac In the Swamp
Tiffany Pollack & Eric JohansonKeep It SimpleBlues In My Blood
Wily Bo Walker/Danny FlamFool for You (2020 Hindsight)Ain’t No Man a Good Man (Deluxe)
Johnny & the MongrelsTrue LifeCreole Skies
Blackie & The Rodeo KingsHow Come You Treat Me So Bad featuring Janiiva MagnessKings and Queens
John FogertySwamp River DaysBring It Down To Rock ‘n’ Roll
Jensens Juke JointI Got This DreamJensens Juke Joint
Lisa MannThat’s AllOld Girl
Jade MacraeI Choose LoveHandle Me with Care
Malaya BlueThese Four WallsStill
John NemethI Can See Your Love Light ShineStronger Than Strong
Joanne Shaw TaylorHumanReckless Blues
Trevor SewellShaky Ground (Live)Live In Portugal
Joe BonamassaTrouble WaitingA New Day Now (20th Anniversary Edition)