british blues bands 2020
If you like to wash your rock n roll down with just a swig of blues, then youre probably going to dig these guys. Dont let the title of Jeremiah Johnsons latest album fool you. With guest vocalists Chris Cote and Michelle Wilson, Blues Bash is as much fun as youd expect an album called Blues Bash to be. Ive had the pleasure of listening to 8 of these albums. Extraordinary, soulful singer, songwriter and virtuoso guitarist, Marcus Kings voice is front and center on this album of well-crafted tunes with plenty of soulful grooves. Robert Cray is a name and a sound well known to any true lover of the blues. Here are the blues players you choose as 2020's standouts. Son of Dave His voice, guitar and harmonica are enough to shake you to the core. It is weird music that revels in its weirdness. For the non-fan, it is also essential and a likely tool for conversion! Think of her as a softer, more intimate Etta James. If you enjoy our site, you can help with a small donation. Captured live at a packed music club in Germany, this live set is a raw and real set of blues mixed with rock, R&B, jazz and funk from Allisons collection since he began his solo career in the 1990s. He reveals his personal truths as a writer while still slinging enough hot guitar to melt an iceberg. You may also want to check out Brave Rival who have just released their debut album. Having said all that, Dions friends do a more than capable job of compensating for the weaknesses of the the albums star. callback: cb forms: { If not, you may want to stay away. Uncivil War is a staggeringly ambitious album and because Shemekia Copeland has the skills to see it home, it may be the years best blues album. This is as lowdown and real as it gets and is a functional cure for the plastic-hearted music we all hear far too much of. Anthony Gomes website, Britains own blues/rock hurricane King King dropped the bands most evolved record yet this year with Maverick, which was released on Channel 9 Records. Joined by long-time band mates, Pat DeSalvo and Garnet Grimm, Aint Done Yet features well-crafted tracks with catchy hooks, Simmonds smooth vocals, and a band thats as tight as it can be. Thats awesome, glad our lists are helpful and you enjoy them! Earns its titular exclamation point with rousing and energetic blues anthems that echo the very best of the genres piano pioneers. Bath Fatback Deluxe Style: Classic American blues Influenced by: Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker Gear: Gibson ES-335, Gibson Les Paul Pro, late 60s Ampeg AUB-1 fretless bass Martin Harley Mike Zito website, Nine-time Blues Music Award winner and three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster puts her big-league vocals into a brass-heavy big band setting on Live At The Paramount. We tried very hard to narrow our list down to Top 20 but we could not bring ourselves to cut one more album. The track that grooves and swings the hardest is Aint Goin to Do It. Its the kind of song you play when the party slows down a little and needs a jolt to keep your friends from reaching for their car keys. He went on to play a livestream from the Ryman in Nashville for the cause too before releasing one of his finest albums in October with Royal Tea and the 20th anniversary version of his debut. Rhode Island isnt typically thought of a hotbed of the blues, but the strong presence of Roomful of Blues, a revival jazz/blues band plants a giant feather in the cap of Americas tiniest state. This R&B nine piece band won the Best Live Band at the San Diego Music Awards in 2020. From seasoned veterans to young breakthrough artists whove used social media to put themselves in front of an audience of millions, to those doing it the old fashioned way in pubs and clubs up and down the country, heres (in no particular order) our list of 15 Great British blues artists to check out right now. Ranking the best artists, groups, and songs of the musical form first hummed, hollered, and chanted by African Americans in the Deep South and the many subgenres that have sprouted from its roots into juke joints and playlists around the world. Foster soars above her own lofty standards with the big band behind her and showcases the finest female voice in todays roots music scene. Who will be the new Foo Fighters drummer in the post-Taylor Hawkins line-up? Castiglia gets down with special guests Mike Zito, John Ginty, and Lewis Stephens in front of a happy crowd at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, Florida, reminding us all how much we have to get back to post-Covid. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( They came home, went into lockdown, and wrote and recorded this rocking set that then came out on Gulf Coast Records. When Rivers Meet website, Expanding on Marcus Kings Southern soul, rock and blues sound, El Dorado is Kings first solo album, produced by Black Keyes guitarist Dan Auerbach, out on Fantasy Records. } Keri Leigh - Vocals and Percussion. But then again, Stronger Than Strong isnt just an exercise in navel-gazing and indeed, the upbeat love ballad I Can See Your Light Shine offers the best illustration of the blues at its happiest. Also vital is Diggin Roots with Ron Artis the 2nd. More than anything else, he lets his soul lead the way. Its a fine enough album closer to make you forget that Stronger that strong is at times a little uneven. Song Starter Kit: The Search for Happiness from Aquarius, Take The Wheel from Aquarius EP, Lie To Me from Lie To Me (Single). In addition to the buoyant title track, stand outs include the inspirational One Thing Every Day and Beys stunningly poignant cover of John Lennons Imagine. The Georgia-born singer may be gone, but the music he left behind will undoubtedly inspire an army of future blues fans. On this song, Wilsons harmonica must be heard to be believed. With a killer voice, Grace rocks the 12 tracks, along with Aarons rich vocals and monster guitar riffs. ABOUT THE AWARDS READ THE RULES THE 2023 FINALISTS NOW LIVE The best rock guitarists in the world right now, as voted by you. Its a bold and beautiful set of rock music full of emotional honesty and tremendous performances by band members Alan Nimmo, Stevie Nimmo, Jonny Dyke, Zander Greenshields, and Andrew Scott. #705 of 880. The vocals and harmonies, performed by these multi-instrumentalist sisters, are a standout. Thank you. These artists/bands are in no particular order. And he's evolving fast; this year's El Dorado finds him really stretching out into soul and country under the production of Dan Auerbach (opens in new tab). Joe Bonamassa Classic guest lesson: Joe Bonamassa (Image credit: Future) Joe shares some of his finest blues licks Joe is always high in this list every year - he's the biggest blues guitarist in the world, but also the hardest working. Song Starter Kit: Hell Drive You Crazy from Saving Grace, Did I Break The Law from We Fly Free, Free Man from The Uprising EP. A contemporary exploration of Southern R&B, Country-soul, blues/rock and blues, El Dorado established King as one of the most soulful voices of his generation. Vote for the best artists to see them graduate to the top of the list. And the albums other highlight is the soft, slow Rambling Blues. Much more than a platform of musical skills, this album reminds us how dark, dangerous and reckless the genre can become when done right. Shemekia Copeland website, British blues/rock duo, When Rivers Meet is made up of husband and wife outfit, Grace and Aaron Bond. But somehow Zitos blues make us feel better. This is magnificent thank you! There are those who believe the blues is a musical idiom that can only be mastered by Americans. Since 2016, there's been plenty of chart success and an overabundance of recognition from The BRITs and annual BBC Sound poll, for the likes of NAO, Mabel, Izzy Bizu, Jorja Smith, RAYE, IAMDDB and . Tackling the legendary works of Jimmy Rogers, Larry Williams and Jimmy Nolan is no easy undertaking, but Grammy nominated vocalist and blues harpist Kim Wilson is up for the task. Dom Martin The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site. Kings previous albums and EPs include Carolina Confessions, Due North, The Marcus King Band and Soul Insight. Unemployment Highly Annoyed hints that The 48-year-old guitarist/vocalist isnt a happy man. His lyrical themes are invariably down to earth, while his guitar playing is absolutely otherworldly. Whether hes playing solo with nothing but his lungs and a road worn Resophonic guitar for amplification or backed by the slightly unusual arrangement of a double bassist and a duo of percussionists, the King Size Slim sound is all about rhythm and groove. All Rights Reserved, Best of British: 15 UK Blues Artists to Check Out Today. The result is a searing collection of tunes that each carve their way into the listeners soul in a dazzlingly different way. Here we have a slight interloper in the ranks. 20 Great New British Artists to Watch - Rolling Stone Music 20 Great New British Artists to Watch Wolf Alice, Lpsley, Stormzy and more By Rolling Stone July 6, 2016 Lady Leshurr & Let's Eat. Website Press here to watch video The Black Moods Based in Arizona, the band delivers a modern interpretation of rock and roll, a timeless sound of electric guitars, anthemic hooks and percussive stomp. King, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Thackery, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Johnny "Clyde" Copeland, Double Trouble, Joanna Connor, Kim Simmonds, and more. The Blues Band was credited with kicking off a second blues boom in Britain, which by the 90s led to festivals all around the country, including The Swanage Blues Festival, The Burnley National Blues Festival, The Gloucester Blues and Heritage Festival and The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival at Colne. She also used her platforms to pay it forwards with weekly showcase livestreams blues artists she's signed to her own Wild Heart Label, but we can't wait to see her back to hopefully touring properly again in 2021. The result is a kind of authenticity that smacks of hard graft and a lifelong love affair with the music. His idiosyncratic guitar playing often echoes the hypnotism of Mississippi Hill Country Blues, while his vocals are projected forth with all the volume and cadence of a wild street poet. Will Johns is one of those artists that can take all the known elements of blues and rock, understand them, respect them, and then apply his own creativity to uplift them. Theres just too much great music this year. Theres attitude by the fistful in everything the band has released to date, which is perhaps unsurprising when you consider that the heavily tattooed, Telecaster-wielding Barras is an ex-MMA cage fighter. But the old adage of if it aint broke, dont fix it applies very much to this legend. Songs From The Road shows exactly why certain performances are meant to be captured live and in the moment. 25 new blues artists you need to hear! Theres gusto and redemption on One Shot, with Jackaman channeling anguish and grit into bold, swinging tunes. Individuals [ edit] Ian A. Anderson Elles Bailey [1] Ginger Baker Long John Baldry [2] Chris Barber Norman Beaker [3] Jeff Beck [2] Duster Bennett [2] Graham Bond [2] Marcus Bonfanti [4] John Bonham [5] Geoff Bradford Jack Broadbent [6] Jack Bruce [2] Danny Bryant Eric Burdon In fact it stays on its feet all the way through. This is their first release together, but 100 years sounds as effortless and organic as something youd expect from friends with a decades-long history of collaboration. Their latest effort may suggest the outfit has gathered a little dust over the years. The classic Hellhound on my Trail gets the album off to a rousing start, but things only get richer and more alive from there. To anyone concerned with the current state of the blues, Whitney Shays latest release Stand Up could have been delivered with you in mind. Allison is the son of blues great, Luther Allison, and is regarded as a slide guitar master. Generated by Wordfence at Sat, 4 Mar 2023 13:48:21 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. And thats very much a good thing. But the musicians who stood out for you still found a way to reach people in the pandemic with standout albums and performances. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Huge mistake to suggest including an album we did not review. King Size Slim Meanwhile the stunning ballad Crying guitar features as gentle and warm a touch as its descriptive title would imply. The man sounds every year his age and his latest effort works precisely for this reason. This is the blues. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. A listen to You Make Me Feel must provoke the listener to ask why he hasnt released more. Another home run Martine! If available, you can also see information about where all british blues bands on this list got started. A truly memorable effort. Just make sure they aren't already on the list and check your spelling, because this is already an accurate compilation of the best examples of british blues, as well as a good place to start if you're asking yourself, or friends, exactly how to get into british blues music. I cant believe that you left off The Heavy North; an absolutely fantastic British band with a retro sound. Until rudely interrupted by the global pandemic, Shaw Taylors touring schedule was one of the most tireless in the business, and her gutsy guitar playing and husky vocals are best appreciated live on stage. Review of Uncivil War 1. listeners: [], There's the jazz end of the blues; folk blues; blues rock; straight forward, honest to goodness, down home blues; Chicago blues; British blues; country blues; as well as white men. Verbally and lyrically, he bears a resemblance to Johnny Guitar Watson and musically, he pays loving homage to a wide range of innovators. Will Johns In October, Erja also took part in our Virtual Guitar Show, breaking down some of the songs from her back catalogue and showing us her rig . Song Starter Kit: Dead Horses from Death Valley Paradise, Hail Mary from The Divine and The Dirty, Ignite (Light It Up) from Light it Up. You introduced me to Larkin Poe and Marcus King off your list, this year, which were two great adds. Known as The King of Slydeco, Mississippi-born, Louisiana-reared guitar legend Sonny Landreth is the rare blues musician who truly sounds like no one else. Born in Michigan in 1946, Lavettes vocal stylings owe as much to mainstream R&B that the blues, but her sweet, silky voice belongs as much in this genre as her harder-edged sisters. Combining hip-hop with the blues is something a fair number of artists have dabbled in over the years, but G Love and his band Special Sauce, have made it a career for over two decades. See here for Top 20 Blues, Rock & Roots Albums of 2019. Although Wilsons voice is the albums centerpiece the finest track Strollin satisfies most when it allows his harmonica to do the singing. Contemporary rhythm and blues, rock and roll and funky rhythms weave their way through most songs on One Shot, brought to life by superb musicians and an electrifying vocalist. Zito is a blues/rock monster and this is arguably his best work thus far. If nothing else, Roomful serves as an undeniable reminder of how the blues can sound with a solidly skilled horn section. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Savoy Brown Website, Contemporary bluesman, guitarist, singer-songwriter Bernard Allison released Songs From The Road on Ruf Records. Having gained a sturdy online following during lockdown, the dedication of When Rivers Meets fans has recently been proven in the real world as theyve played a string of jam-packed venues on their first ever UK headline tour. Taking influence from British folk, Americana and various flavours of world music as well as the blues, Harleys sound is something of a slow-cooked sonic one pot stew. 41. Not that sheer technical mastery is the only tool in his shed. Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Blues infused Southern rock, the band self-produced this 11 track, all-original album that's fresh with contemporary, expansive sounds and pristine production. When all is said is done, its hard to imagine anyone getting a better introduction (or re-introduction) to the amazing sounds of blues piano at its best. The plaintive voice of Chris Smither has served him well for decades. As with any time-tested blues star, Landreth only grows in stature with each passing release. [38] Review of Self Made Man For now, their 2020 release We Fly Free is a good, but not fully great album. Trying to categorize it would be a waste of time. The Allman Betts Band website, Former lead guitarist for The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kirk Fletcher is widely considered one of the best blues guitarists in the world. #141 of 185. It seems to work every time, it rarely works better than it does here. These Poetic Geniuses Wrote Your Favorite Songs of All Time. Lady Day and John Coltrane pays homage to a pair of jazz greats in the most stylish way imaginable, combing jazz and the blues with a maturity you may have forgotten was possible in the blues. Welcome to the UK Blues Awards This is the home of the blues awards scheme created by the UK Blues Federation to give the blues community in the UK the opportunity to recognise and applaud those involved with the blues in the UK. She'll be putting that back into action with live dates in her homeland next year . Greg, His song writing goes far beyond tried and tested tropes, his licks balance classic vibes with contemporary flair, and his main guitar of choice an Ernie Ball Music Man Eddie Van Halen signature isnt exactly the conventional bluesmans go to. While comparisons to Irelands wild man of the blues, Rory Gallagher, are somewhat inevitable, Martins sound is far from derivative. But What the Hell a challenge to current political/social polarization may be the albums standout track. Released by Provogue Records / Mascot Label Group and produced by Eric Corne, the record brings us Trout playing better guitar than ever and writing songs that are right on target for the year that 2020 has been. Also of note is Give Me All the Love You Got, a surprisingly heartfelt ballad that engages in that age-old blues tradition of begging for a womans affection. Pulling in musicians from all over the world, this record features blues/rock, R&B, and Soul. } For now, add every one of these albums to your listening rotation. It contains the kind of raw, explosive power that any fan of the genre has come to expect, and in addition, it features a danceable bounce that will likely to appeal to fans more geared toward classic R & B. The fierce essence of the band is still very much present and is mixed with a new maturity and high-level songwriting skills thatll keep listeners singing along and reaching for the Repeat button. Song Starter Kit: Ride from Ride, Far Off Galaxy from Along The Trail Of Tears, Moonshine Blue from Moonshine Blue. California-born blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher has the kind of soulful, ebullient vocals that make us briefly forget what an extraordinarily gifted guitar whiz he is. Sonny Landreth website, The Allman Betts Band keeps the family flame burning brightly on 2020s Bless Your Heart on BMG Records. Hope these guys continue their stellar start to their career. Great list well done When Rivers Meet and everyone else. Led by vocalist/guitarist Robert Jon Burrison, whose voice is one of the most ear-pleasing today, the band includes Andrew Espantman, Steve Maggoria, Henry James and Warren Murrel. Another of the albums standouts include Rocking in Louisiana. Fueled by a swamp-rock attack that Creedence Clearwater Revival would envoy, the track reminds us (as CCR did) that a true fondness for Louisiana blues can live in the hearts of those born and raised elsewhere. Containment Blues features Gomes whiskey soaked vocals, rock swagger, and growling guitar with more of a blues/roots flavor than previous releases. List includes The Yardbirds, Eric Burdon & the Animals, more. She made a big. Le Live de Royal Tea est superieur au cd d Abbey Road . 2021 saw Lee release his first full-length album and his vocal capabilities, although perhaps not as developed as his playing, stand him in good stead for a long career ahead as a killer frontman.
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