2025 delivered an exceptional year for the blues. Artists honored the genre’s roots while pushing into bold, innovative territory, resulting in some unforgettable releases. From that vibrant landscape, Blues Music Fan Radio selected the Top 20 Blues Albums of 2025.
Sitting at #1 is Buddy Guy’s Ain’t Done With The Blues, a commanding statement from a true legend who continues to shape the genre with authenticity, power, and unmistakable presence.
The diversity across the Top 20 reflects the state of the blues today – timeless, evolving, and full of life. As we celebrate 2025’s standouts, we’re already looking ahead to 2026 with excitement. New artists, new sounds, and new stories are waiting to be heard.
Explore the full list and celebrate a genre that never stops moving.
~ Jordan
#1 BUDDY GUY
Ain’t Done With The Blues
Label: Silvertone/RCA Records
In our thirteenth year of delivering world class blues to audiences all over the world, Blues Music Fan is pleased to present Buddy Guy our award for the best album of 2025: Ain’t Done with the Blues. Buddy Guy is the stereotypical American story of rags to riches. Born and raised in poverty in rural Louisiana, Buddy taught himself to play the guitar and eventually moved to Chicago in 1957 to pursue his career. Buddy paid his dues for over 30 years before his mainstream breakout recording Damn Right I Got the Blues in 1991 vaulted him to the forefront of the blues. Over the course of his career, 89 year old Buddy Guy has released 20 studio albums. Many of them are now considered classics of the blues genre.
Ain’t Done with the Blues was released in late July 2025 on the Silvertone/RCA records label. Buddy is one of only a small handful of blues artists that have a “major music company” recording deal. Already the holder of 8 Grammy music awards, Buddy’s new recording has been nominated for the 2026 Best Traditional Blues Album award. The album features 18 tracks with guest appearances by Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton and the Blind Boys of Alabama as well as Chuck Leavell and Tal Wilkenfeld. The album is produced by 2 time Grammy winner Tom Hambridge who has played drums for Buddy for many years.
Buddy’s music is a blend of blues and blues rock and revolves around his signature “talk/sing” style that has endeared him to audiences worldwide. Many of his songs feature stories from his own life and his observations of the world around him and the new album is no exception.
Blues Music Fan would like to reiterate that this award is not for lifetime achievement or nostalgia for an aging blues artist. Buddy Guy’s Ain’t Done With the Blues is the overwhelming consensus number 1 album amongst the DJs at BMFR and is the best blues recording of the year in a crowded field of new and exciting albums. We all treasure the talent of Buddy Guy and hope you enjoy this recording as much as we do!!
~ DJ Ben Vee ~
#2 TAJ MAHAL & KEB’ MO’
Room on the Porch
Label: Concord
Room on the Porch marks a joyful reunion for two musical legends, Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. The album’s spirit is best captured by the word “delightful.” From the opening notes of the title track, their voices radiate warmth and wisdom, creating a sense of homecoming rooted in rural traditions. Joined by Ruby Amanfu, they blend harmonies with emotional precision, making each song feel like a comforting embrace. The simple, unfussy instrumentation adds to the feeling of a relaxed, intimate gathering, turning every track into a musical exhale.
Songs like My Darling My Dear draw listeners in with gentle contrasts and whispered intimacy. Taj Mahal’s calm authority remains clear, from his early work to the lively Freedom Ride. Recorded in Franklin, Tennessee, and co-produced by Mahal and Keb’ Mo’, the album unfolds across ten relaxed, road-worn journeys. The duo trades lead vocals effortlessly, especially on She Keeps Me Movin’, a gospel-tinged groove that recalls Isaac Hayes. Every song feels thoughtfully arranged, full of creative energy and deep musical connection.
Having followed Mahal since the 1960s and Keb’ Mo’ since 1996, hearing them together again feels both familiar and fresh. They are pillars of the Americana and roots music scene. The musicianship is outstanding, with tracks like Thicker Than Mud leaning into roots-Americana and Junkyard Dog carrying a raw, bluesy swagger. The album balances nostalgia with vitality, making it ideal for a slow afternoon – perhaps with a sleeping dog, a rocking chair, and a quiet porch.
Room on the Porch is quickly becoming a seasonal favorite and one of the year’s best releases. It’s an invitation into a shared space of friendship, tradition, and musical storytelling – proof that great artists keep music alive.
~ DJ Zel ~
#3 TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS
Closer To The Bone
Label: Alligator Records
Tommy Castro gave us Closer To The Bone in February of 2025 on Alligator Records. Anytime Tommy drops a new album, the Blues world stops and takes notice, and this is no exception. The 14 track album combines well crafted originals, and Tommy puts his amazing spin on some lesser known covers as well.
Tommy backs his guitar and his very genuine voice with the always tight Painkillers which include Mike Emerson (keys), Randy McDonald (bass/vocals), and Bowen Brown (drums) – and enhanced by standout guests like Rick Estrin, Billy Branch, and Deanna Bogart. You will fall into Tommy Castro’s perfect blues groove from the opening notes on the album. Songs like Can’t Catch A Break will have you hitting replay again and again. Don’t miss Crazy Woman Blues and a super cover of Ray Charles, A Fool For You.
The album simply cooks from beginning to end. A must have in your personal collection that you will return to again and again. Absolutely earned and deserved it’s spot near the top of the 2025 Blues Music Fan Radio top Twenty list.
~ DJ BlueLou ~
#4 CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM
Hard Road
Label: Red Zero Records
At just 25, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has accumulated more accolades than most blues musicians see in a lifetime, and Hard Road demonstrates why. This isn’t some young prodigy coasting on technical ability – Ingram delivers emotional depth that belies his age.
The album showcases his evolution as guitarist and songwriter. His fretwork remains spectacular, channeling influences from Albert King to Hendrix, but he’s learned restraint, letting songs breathe rather than constantly showboating. His vocals have matured considerably, carrying genuine grit and conviction that transcend generational divides.
Hard Road balances tradition with contemporary sensibilities. Classic blues structures meet modern production elements and rock energy. Tracks range from scorching electric workouts to introspective acoustic moments, displaying impressive range.
Most promising is Ingram’s songwriting growth. These aren’t merely vehicles for guitar heroics – they’re actual songs with substance and memorable hooks, proving he’s thinking beyond technical proficiency toward artistic statement.
If this is what Kingfish delivers in his mid-twenties, his future is genuinely exciting. Hard Road solidifies his position as not just Blues next generation, but its present force – a vital voice carrying the torch forward with respect and innovation.
~ DJ Arwen ~
#5/6 JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR
Black and Gold
Label: Journeyman Records
Joanne Shaw Taylor deserves wider recognition, and Black and Gold makes that case emphatically. The British guitarist and vocalist delivers an album that balances technical prowess with genuine emotional depth – a combination that eludes many blues-rock artists.
Taylor’s guitar work is immediately captivating: fluid, fiery, and remarkably expressive. She moves seamlessly from soulful bends to blistering runs, wielding both power and finesse. But her vocal performance truly elevates this record. She’s grown considerably as a singer, delivering raw authenticity that complements her instrumental mastery perfectly.
The songwriting shows impressive maturity and variety. Taylor explores different textures within the blues-rock framework, incorporating soul influences and occasional funk grooves without sacrificing cohesion. Production is crisp and punchy, giving each element breathing room while maintaining consistent energy.
What’s most refreshing about Taylor is her lack of pretense. She’s not chasing trends or trying to prove anything – just delivering honest, powerful blues-rock with conviction. The album may not reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to. Black and Gold is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, confirming Taylor’s place among contemporary blues’ elite players and suggesting even greater things ahead.
~ DJ Arwen ~
#5/6 CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE
Look Out Highway
Label: Forty Below Records
Charlie Musselwhite’s 2025 music release of Lookout Highway is a road well-travelled by blues artists reflecting on their past career and life like some hero of old telling tales of his adventures around the campfire.
It’s not unlike the hero’s journey as analyzed by Joseph Campbell: “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”
In this case, Musselwhite, now 81, recounts his adventures through his own blues compositions singing in a voice that is more storyteller than dynamic but it’s the story you want to hear punctuated by the ever present dynamic harmonica that is Memphis Charlie’s stock in trade.
Ghosts of Memphis introduces us to the time when a teenage Musselwhite growing up in Memphis experienced the period when rockabilly, western swing, and electric blues were combining to give birth to rock and roll. A time when Musselwhite supported himself by digging ditches, laying concrete, and running moonshine in a 1950 Lincoln automobile. This environment was a school for music as well as life for Musselwhite, where he acquired the nickname Memphis Charlie.
Of course a hero has to pass on boons to his fellow man and in Ghosts of Memphis he introduces the Memphis born Al Kapone as handing the Key To The Highway from one generation to another.
Songs such as the title track and standout from the album, Lookout Highway, Highway 61, Ramblin’ Is My Game and Open Road share the lessons learned from the road as he took off in search of the rumored “big-paying factory jobs” up the “Hillbilly Highway”, Highway 51 to Chicago,
In the instrumental track Blue Lounge we can imagine Charlie continuing his blues education on the South Side of Chicago immersing himself completely in the musical life, living in the basement of and occasionally working at Jazz Record Mart (a record store) and working as a driver for an exterminator, which allowed him to observe what was happening around the city’s clubs and bars with the city’s blues musicians, and sitting in with them in the clubs, playing for tips.
The closing track Open Road (A reinterpretation of Key To The Highway) appeals to us to take to the road of experience and life and complete our own journey as Charlie has.
~ DJ Stewart ~
#7 SAMANTHA FISH
Paper Doll
Label: Rounder Records
Paper Doll is the eighth studio album from Samantha Fish, and it is a triumphant follow-up to her 2023 collaboration with Jesse Drayton on Death Wish Blues. The album is chock full of gritty blues rock and melodic soulful tunes that exemplify her signature style, but with a cohesiveness that was not always evident with her previous studio efforts.
From the powerful and melodic I’m Done Runnin’, to the raucous Can Ya Handle The Heat, or the smooth and impassioned Sweet Southern Sounds, Paper Doll is characterized by emotionally charged songwriting that flows effortlessly through a variety of offerings from mid-tempo songs to full-fledged rockers.
Other stand out tracks include Fortune Teller, delivered with a hypnotic bluesy groove, and the lush ballad Off In The Blue.
The best of the lot, however, may be her cover of Neil Young’s Don’t Let It Bring You Down, a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the album. Originally finding its way into her sets during the pandemic, Fish’s vocal delivery resonates beautifully with this darkly themed song.
Listeners will find Paper Doll to be a highly enjoyable excursion into blues rock, and the best and most complete album by Samantha Fish to date.
~ DJ Tommy Mac ~
#8 ERIC GALES
A Tribute To LJK
Label: Provogue Records
If Eric Gales is on your radar, his older brother Manuel – who performed as Little Jimmy King – probably isn’t, and that’s what this album aims to change.
Little Jimmy King was the real deal. He played guitar in Albert King’s band from 1988-1991, fronted the Memphis Soul Survivors, and in 1995 joined brothers Eugene and Eric for the Gales Brothers’ Left Hand Brand – a showcase of three left-handed guitarists worth seeking out. Manuel died of a heart attack in 2002 at just 37, leaving behind a catalog that deserves recognition.
Twenty-three years later, Eric has assembled Buddy Guy (who actually played with LJK), Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (who’s cited him as an influence), Joe Bonamassa, Roosevelt Collier, and Josh Smith to revisit his brother’s work. Bonamassa and Smith co-produced, giving the project their polished blues-rock treatment. Nine of ten tracks are Little Jimmy King originals.
The album opens with Manuel’s twin brother Danuel speaking – his voice nearly identical to his late brother’s – before launching into the energetic shuffle You Shouldn’t Have Left Me. The production is clean and modern, perhaps too clean for purists expecting raw Memphis grit. Rockin’ Horse Ride features Kingfish’s wah-wah work in thrilling interplay with Eric. Don’t Wanna Go Home with Bonamassa delivers infectious groove and fiery guitar. The closer, Somebody, featuring Buddy Guy, builds from acoustic intimacy to full-bodied blues and feels historically appropriate rather than simply star-powered.
But here’s the question: does this succeed in making us “remember who he was and still is,” as Eric intended? The performances are uniformly excellent, but the contemporary polish may leave you wondering what Little Jimmy King’s originals sounded like. This is unmistakably an Eric Gales album – his tone, his intensity.
For listeners discovering Little Jimmy King for the first time, it’s an engaging introduction that should send you searching for his recordings. And that might be the best tribute of all.
~ Jess ~
#9 MAVIS STAPLES
Sad and Beautiful World
Label: Anti Records
If we could package the grim reality of all of the horrible things happening in the world today and channel them through the peace of a quiet day, the pain of a street vigil, and the tremulous optimism of a civil rights protest, we might come close to the power of Mavis Staples’ most recent offering, her fourteenth studio album, Sad and Beautiful World.
Produced by Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, Nathaniel Rateliff, Bon Iver), Sad and Beautiful World is arguably the 86 year old Ms. Staples’ most powerful effort to date – an emotional assessment of where we are, a recognition of our failings, and an occasional glimpse at what we could be – as people, as nations, as a global community. The album is, in a sense, autobiographical; its themes reflect Staples’ life of faith, service, and her ongoing battles within the civil rights movement – but this is not one woman’s story. This is a reflection of humanity. This is a panorama of our collective demons, tempered by a better angel or two. The tracks:
- Chicago (Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan)
- Beautiful Strangers (Kevin Morby)
- Sad and Beautiful World (Mark Linkous)
- Human Mind (Allison Russell and Hozier) *
- Hard Times (Gillian Welch and David Rawlings)
- Godspeed (Frank Ocean)
- We Got to Have Peace (Curtis Mayfield)
- Anthem (Leonard Cohen)
- Satisfied Mind (Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes)
- Everybody Needs Love (Eddie Hinton)
*Human Mind was written specifically for this project.
A large ensemble of acclaimed musicians including Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Tweedy, Derek Trucks, and many more created the tapestry of music so delicately framing Ms. Staples’ rich, emotional voice. She reminds us, poignantly, that even when things seem the most hopeless, there can be light.
~ DJ Mist ~
#10 JANIVA MAGNESS
Back For Me
Label: Blue Élan Records
As a DJ who lives and breathes the blues, I’ve spun Janiva Magness albums for years and when she drops a new record, DJs like me don’t just listen, we stop everything we are doing and focus on what we already know will be a beautiful journey. Back For Me is another reminder that she’s one of the most vital voices in modern blues today. Janiva is a storyteller who turns every track into a lived experience. After decades of Grammy nominations, Blues Music Awards, and a catalog that never stops evolving (this is her 17th album), Magness still sings like she’s got something urgent to say and I for one feel so lucky she’s still saying it. Her voice still makes fans stop cold in their tracks.
This album feels like a homecoming and a push forward at the same time. Her voice, equal parts grit, grace, and fire sits right at the center, but the supporting cast deserves applause too. The session players bring a warm, lived‑in groove, and the guest performances of Sue Foley, Jesse Dayton & Joe Bonamassa’s guitar work adds just enough edge without ever overshadowing her. It’s the kind of ensemble that understands their assignment to highlight the star of this album.
Magness has always been more than a blues singer; she’s a bridge between tradition and the next generation, a keeper of the flame who refuses to let it burn low. Back For Me proves she’s still expanding the genre, still lifting others with her, and still one of the most essential artists promoting the blues today. So, my suggestion? Take a seat in your favorite easy chair and have a double shot or even a triple of Masterpiece, Back For Me, and Holes, Have some ice water on the side as a chaser and Enjoy!
~ DJ AJ Rover ~
#11 BOBBY RUSH & KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
Young Fashioned Ways
Label: Deep Rush Records
Young Fashioned Ways is a remarkable collaboration between 91-year-old blues legend Bobby Rush and 47-year-old guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, showcasing a powerful fusion of tradition and innovation. Despite their age gap, their chemistry breathes new life into the blues, emphasizing its enduring vitality in 2025. The album opens with Rush’s reference to Muddy Waters, setting a tone of reverence and fiery energy. Inspired by Waters’ rendition of Willie Dixon’s “Young Fashioned Ways,” the record pays homage while injecting fresh creativity, blending raw, authentic blues with contemporary vigor.
Throughout the ten tracks, Rush’s soulful vocals complement Shepherd’s gritty guitar work, which favors support over showmanship, allowing the emotional depth of each song to shine. Recorded at Memphis’ legendary Royal Studios, the project benefits from a stellar supporting band, including Charles Hodges on keys, Darryl Pruitt on bass, and a horn section, adding richness without overshadowing the core artists.
The album features a variety of compelling songs, from the infectious groove of Who Was That to the gospel-tinged 40 Acres (How Long), and the traditional heartbreak of What She Said. Standouts include their electrified reinterpretation of Muddy Waters’ Young Ways and the playful G String. The evident mutual respect and joy between Rush and Shepherd elevate the project, making it a true blues masterpiece that celebrates the genre’s history while proving its relevance today.
~ DJ Zel ~
#12 POPA CHUBBY
I Love Freddie King
Label: Gulf Coast Records
From a DJ who spins blues albums for the love of the blues, I Love Freddie King by Popa Chubby & Friends feels like a celebration composed from six strings and soul. Popa Chubby’s tribute isn’t nostalgia, it’s reverence combined with kick-ass muscle. I absolutely love this album! As many of you know, Popa is a blues guitar monster and from his first note, you hear Popa’s unmistakable fire: big tone, fearless bends, and that gritty New York swagger that’s carried him through a career spanning more than thirty years. But it’s not just in his hands, – it’s in his voice too. There’s a raw, hard-earned fierceness when Popa sings, a gravel-and-guts delivery that sounds lived-in and unapologetic.
What hits me hardest is the heat, heart and passion behind it. Popa has always played for the fans, and after coming back strong from very serious back surgery, this record sounds like a statement of gratitude and survival. There’s no just getting by here, just deep commitment to Freddie King’s legacy and the blues tradition itself.
The classic song selection honors Freddie without trying to outshine him, and while Popa’s guitar prowess keeps every track urgent and alive, just add to that mix an all-star lineup of blues killers like Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, Albert Castiglia along with the guiding hand of producer Mike Zito. Mike clearly understands how to balance rawness with respect and with his own licks and expertise you’ve got something special.
This isn’t just a tribute album. It’s a comeback, a celebration, a love story and a reminder of why Popa Chubby remains one of the most vital contributors in modern blues today. Please let me know what you think!
~ DJ AJ Rover ~
#13 DEVON ALLMAN
The Blues Summit
Label: Ruf Records
Devon Allman has spent years stepping out from his legendary family’s shadow, and The Blues Summit proves he’s carved out his own identity. This isn’t a solo vanity project – it’s a collaborative celebration featuring Samantha Fish, Jimmy Hall, and Eric Gales, creating an atmosphere that feels like an intimate jam session among master musicians.
Production balances raw authenticity with modern clarity. Guitar tones have grit, vocals carry warmth, and nothing feels overproduced. Allman’s voice possesses genuine weight without mimicking his father or uncle – a confidence that elevates the material throughout.
The album moves fluidly between slow-burning blues and up-tempo southern rock, showcasing Allman’s versatility. His guitar work demonstrates both technical skill and emotional intelligence, knowing precisely when to unleash and when to let notes breathe.
What makes The Blues Summit succeed is its genuine passion. This isn’t heritage rock by numbers or nostalgia pandering – Allman and his collaborators sound like they’re genuinely enjoying themselves, and that enthusiasm proves infectious. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it’s a solid, engaging blues record that honors tradition while remaining relevant. A worthy addition to any blues-rock collection.
~ DJ Arwen ~
#14 JOE BONAMASSA
B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, Vol. I
Label: KTBA Records
This centennial birthday tribute collection to the legendary B.B. King is a remarkable tribute, featuring an impressive lineup of artists such as Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, Gary Clark Jr., and many more. The project showcases a diverse range of tracks that celebrate King’s enduring influence on blues and jazz. The collection is visually stunning on screen and paper, but its true power lies in the music itself, which only improves with each listen.
The initial tracks set a high standard, starting with Why I Sing the Blues, where Bobby Rush delivers heartfelt vocals and harmonica, sharing kind words about B.B. King. Next, Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks deliver a fiery rendition of To Know You is to Love You, highlighting superb interplay between keyboards, horns, and guitar. George Benson adds soulful depth on There Must Be a Better World, creating a mellow, swaying vibe.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Noah Hunt contribute vocals and deliver a lively performance on Let the Good Times Roll, with horns adding richness to the sound. The first volume concludes with D.K. Harrell’s energetic Every Day I Have the Blues, showcasing his raw talent and perhaps hinting at a King-like spirit.
While these tracks offer a glimpse of the upcoming collection, the full tribute will unfold gradually, with new songs released monthly until February 2026 through Bonamassa’s KTBA Records. Producers Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, along with nearly 40 guest artists, demonstrate their deep respect and love for B.B. King. This project ensures that, for now and the future, the blues will continue to thrive, inspiring new generations and honoring the King of the Blues.
~ DJ Zel ~
#15 THORBJØRN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO
House of Sticks
Label: Provogue Records
In late January 2025, Danish blues rockers Thorbjørn Risager and the Blac Tornado released their ninth studio album and it deservedly has a spot on the BMFR Top 20 Albums of 2025 list, coming in at #15. It has been widely acclaimed by blues reviews everywhere.
This is an album that incorporates a new take on a number of music genres from hard rocking to very danceable to slow, moving ballads and much more. This album has been produced and arranged to the highest ideals. Risager’s expressive voice and the band’s impressive musical capabilities takes this album to a level that will not disappoint.
The title track, House of Sticks, is a moody, slow opener that draws the listener in, wanting to hear more. And more they will hear! The second cut, Already Gone, has a great beat,
resounding guitar solo and excellent lyrics and will have you chair dancing (if not up and
dancing). This segues into another slow love song, Light of Your Love, followed again by the groovy, funky Long Time Ago which is what this writer considers Risager’s claim to blues fame.
Said I Was Hurt takes us back to another slow, moody tune which includes some wonderful
strings and organ accompaniment. The album transitions, yet again, into another rocking tune, Inner Light, which features some excellent horns. We’ll Get By is an optimistic, slow song with a great steel guitar infusion. Out Of The Rain is a mid-tempo albeit gloomier addition but happens to be my favorite tune of the album. Climbed A Mountain brings back the upbeat and hot phrasing of Risager’s vocals which is backed up with great harmonies and guitar work. Finally, the closing tune, Fine Summer Night, has a country-esque/Hawaiian vibe which ends the album in a far-out, folky way.
Thorbjørn Risager’s voice is on point, as always, and the band is on fire with their innovative talents and their high energy. Thorbjørn Riasger and The Black Tornado are solid in their place as one of the world’s prime blues-rock bands. Don’t miss this album!
~ DJ Sandi ~
#16 BOB CORRITORE
Early Blues Sessions
Label: VizzTone Label Group
Early Blues Sessions is more than a compilation – it’s a chapter of blues history, carefully created and guarded by Bob Corritore. Recorded in Arizona from 1984 to 2007 and preserved in Corritore’s archives, these performances remained unheard until their 2025 release. The result is a timeless collection deeply rooted in blues tradition.
The album features powerful performances by blues legends Lowell Fulson, Little Milton, Robert Lockwood Jr., Sam Lay, Henry Gray, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, and others. These are not casual or throwaway studio moments – they are fully realized sessions, captured with care.
Corritore’s role here is that of steward as well as participant. Rather than imposing a modern aesthetic, he preserves the natural feel of musicians who lived the blues, allowing their phrasing, timing, and emotional weight to speak for themselves. His excellent harmonica work reinforces the ensemble rather than drawing focus away from it.
Early Blues Sessions carries forward a true vintage blues listening experience in the spirit of Corritore’s “From the Vaults” series. For listeners who care about where the blues came from and how it’s meant to sound, this release is essential.
~ DJ Jordan ~
#17 WALTER TROUT
Sign of the Times
Label: Provogue Records
Sign of the Times, the 21st studio album from blues rock guitarist Walter Trout, presents an energetic, sometimes dark commentary on the state of affairs in the world today.
Trout has never been an artist who holds back his opinions on social issues, and Sign of the Times perhaps takes this propensity a step further in striking a cynical tone about the status quo.
The album is also tonally heavier and more discordant than the rest of his catalog, making frequent use of distortion, hard riffs resulting in a more aggressive sound.
The album opens with Artificial, a rebuke of the fabricated nature of our society and particularly the rise of artificial intelligence. With its blues harp driven rhythm, Trout laments I can’t tell what’s real anymore”, setting the stage for the tone of the album. The title track is likewise a hard-edged critique of modern times, with its chant like backing vocals and almost industrial metal feel, easily the heaviest song in Trout’s long career. Even the upbeat and humorous Hi Tech Woman has a satiric tang that fits in well with the album themes.
That isn’t to say that there aren’t tender moments in Sign of the Times. Mona Lisa Smile is a heartfelt love song dedicated to his wife and sometimes lyrical collaborator Marie. With its enchanting mandolins, violins and accordion, it is a beautiful counterbalance to sentiment of the rest of the album.
~ DJ Tommy Mac ~
#18 JOHN PRIMER
Grown in Mississippi
Label: Blues House Productions
John Primer’s latest album, Grown In Mississippi, captures the heart and soul of his roots. Born in Camden, Mississippi, Primer grew up in a sharecropping family immersed in blues and Gospel music. These early sounds shaped his lifelong devotion to the blues, fueling his journey from Maxwell Street tip jar performer to Chicago blues legend.
In Chicago, Primer played at Theresa’s Lounge, leading bands and sharing stages with icons like Magic Slim, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters. His authentic style and deep musical knowledge earned him respect across generations. By 1995, he formed his own Real Deal Band, cementing his status as one of the last “old school” bluesmen.
For this tribute album, Primer returned to his Mississippi roots, recording at Gary Vincent’s studio in Clarksdale. The album features a stellar lineup of guest artists, including Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Watermelon Slim, Eden Brent, Lightnin’ Malcolm and Deak Harp. Their contributions enrich each track, making the album a true celebration of Mississippi blues.
Opening with John’s Blues Holler, Primer’s acapella vocals echo the historical chain gang chants, setting an emotional tone. Born In Mississippi follows, with Primer’s slide guitar expressing pride and hardship. Covers like Leroy Carr’s Blues Before Sunrise and Muddy Waters’ Walkin’ Blues showcase Primer’s mastery and respect for tradition. His duet with Bobby Rush on Nothin’ But A Chicken Wing highlights their enduring bond and lively spirit.
The album also features soulful originals like A Better Day, When I Met The Blues, and the heartfelt gospel Lay My Burdens Down, sung by Primer’s daughter, Aliya. These tracks blend blues, gospel, and Hill Country styles, illustrating the rich musical tapestry of Mississippi.
Throughout the album, Primer’s genuine emotion and skill shine. The collaboration with top Mississippi artists and the thoughtful selection of songs create a timeless tribute. Grown In Mississippi stands as a powerful reminder of Primer’s roots and his place in blues history. It’s a must-listen for any blues lover, capturing the essence of a true Mississippi bluesman.
~ DJ Zel ~
#19 BIG DADDY WILSON
Smiling All Day Long
Label: Continental Record Services
Big Daddy Wilson, along with his band, has created an album that is deeply infused with themes of Life, Love, Reflection, and Spiritual hope. This record beautifully blends personal gratitude, social consciousness, and Wilson’s southern roots, serving as a shining light of optimism in the modern world. Including political unrest and a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Anna Mae, this album emerges as a truly exceptional work.
The group features Big Daddy Wilson as the lead vocalist, with Cesare Nolli providing backing vocals and guitar, Paolo Legramandi on backing vocals and bass, Nicolo Taccori playing drums, and Bart Szopinski on keyboards. Additionally, Wilson collaborates with gifted musicians such as Eric Bibb, Laura Chavez and Staffan Astner.
His touring band known as “The Goosebump Brothers,” supports him during live performances. On August 19, 2025, Big Daddy Wilson will mark his 66th birthday. Originally from Edenton, North Carolina, he spent his childhood working on tobacco farms and cotton plantations. His early experiences singing in church profoundly and deeply influenced his spirit, igniting a passion that continues to shine through his music today.
~ DJ Cheyanne ~
#20 LITTLE FEAT
Strike Up the Band
Label: Hot Tomato Productions
Little Feat is a band that has gone through a myriad of personnel changes since their debut album in 1970. From their mid-1970’s heyday with the legendary Lowell George to later incarnations of the band, they have always been faithful to their sound, a funky, swampy groove steeped in Southern musical tradition. For their 17th studio album Strike Up The Band, only keyboardist Bill Payne remains from the original band lineup, but the material here could easily have come from their peak period of creativity.
The musicianship here is first rate, as has always been the case with Little Feat. Whether it be the Scott Sharrad’s stellar slide guitar work on Bayou Mama and 4 Days of Heaven 3 Days of Work, the subtle but brilliant percussion of Sam Clayton on Love and Life (Never Fear), and especially the patented barrelhouse piano provided by Payne on tunes like New Orleans Cries When She Sings or the title track (featuring a guest appearance by Larkin Poe), their sound is tight and infectious. The standout track on this album is probably Too High To Cut My Hair, a funky, horn-infused song that harkens back to the humorous themes of their work with George in the 1970’s.
~ DJ Tommy Mac ~
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