adminIt’s been another bumper year for the Blues and our man John Burrows has handpicked the essential records that rocked his world in 2023.
From Bonamassa to Robert Finley and Teskey Brothers to Tom Hambridge, there’s something for everyone in a typically comprehensive list.
Find out if your favourite made our Best Blues Albums Of 2023.
10. When Rivers Meet — Aces are High (One Road Records)
Veering off into rockier territory was a bold way to capitalise on the sensational Saving Grace but tracks like Trail To Avalon and The Secret ensured the gamble paid off.
Aces Are High is a sludgy, grungy, dirty affair that’s well worth the time of any open-minded blues fan.
9. Joe Bonamassa — Blues Deluxe 2 (Mascot)
BD2 is a perfect representation of 2023 JB.
Sixteen albums in and 20 years removed from the first Blues Deluxe, this sequel is more mature, refined and comfortable in its shoes.
Surly, classy and with nothing to prove, Bonamassa lets the band do the work and it’s all the better for it.
8. Ghost Hounds — First Last Time (Gibson Records)
Big Hooks, eerie vibes and Tré Nation’s breathtaking voice brought the immense lyrics of Thomas Tull to life.
Ghost Hounds’ mission is to keep Rock ‘N’ Roll alive. First Time Last Time set the trail ablaze.
7. Gov’t Mule — Peace … Like A River (Fantasy Records)
Back in the saddle again, Warren Haynes delivered the second of the Mule’s simultaneously recorded post pandemic albums.
Peace… was a folkier, subdued affair that relied on instrumentation and subtlety to get its message across.
Pour a whiskey and get comfortable: it was worth committing to the long haul for this one.
6. Dom Martin — Buried In The Hail (Forty Below Records)
If you like your blues moody, stripped back and acoustic, this was the one for you.
Don’t let the upbeat nature of tracks like Hello In There and Daylight I Will Find fool you – Dom’s trademark growl is only a stone’s throw away.
5. Robert Jon & The Wreck — Ride Into The Light (Journeyman Records)
Southern rock album of the year? This relentless juggernaut has got to be in with a shout.
Full of heart and blazing guitar work, you know what you’re getting with these Orange County bruisers.
Channelling everyone from Blues Traveller to Skynyrd, this was an album that never took its foot off the throttle.
Read the full review here
4. Teskey Brothers — The Winding Way (Ivy League)
A heartwarming, tearjerking, horn soaked love letter to Memphis soul and a departure in sound from Run Home Slow.
The Winding Way was folkier, rootsier and a lot more experimental than its predecessor.
Beautiful stuff.
3. Tom Hambridge — Blu Ja Vu (Quarto Valley Records)
As one of the most prolific producers around, it’s hard to fathom how Mr Hambridge carved out the time to put out a solo record of this magnitude.
With a who’s who of guest musicians flipping in and out (Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa et al), this was a sensational record that built on an already stellar, multiple Grammy Award-winning career .
Essential listening.
2. Robert Finley — Black Bayou (Easy Eye Sound)
1. Ole Lonesome — Tejas Motel (Gulf Coast Records)
THIS was the southern rock album the year. In fact, it’s the best Blues album of 2023 full stop.
Apparently Tejas Motel wasn’t a concept album but merely an album influenced by an old neon motel sign next to a highway. It was so much more than that.
It was the perfect blend of retro and modern blues, depth and groove, pitch perfect production and darn right sleaze.
Go check into the Tejas Motel.