There are artists from all over the planet on this week’s list of the end of summer 2026 new blues and blues rock albums and upcoming releases! In the United States Keb’ Mo’, Danielle Nicole, Joanna Connor, Ghost Hounds, Ruthie Foster, Grace Potter, and Kevin Burt (to name just a few) all have released recordings that their fans should love. Harry Manx has a new Canadian release and there are several from Europe including Thorbjorn Risager & Emil Balsgaard’s latest plus a new compilation from Guy Verlinde. From “down under”, Tami Neilson, John Haydock, King Leo, and Jack & the Axes make the list.
Of special note are two posthumous releases of Steve Cropper and Bernie Marsden music. The new Steve Cropper recording includes guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Brian May, Billy F Gibbons, and Ana Grosh. I think you are gonna like it! The new Bernie Marsden live recording features Joe Bonamassa, Snowy White, and the late Tony Ashton. The material covers live performances from the 1996 Notodden Blues Festival, the 2008 Radcliffe Center Buckingham concert, the Keeping the Blues Alive cruise get together in 2019, and from Under the Bridge in London. It’s a very special album by one of the greats of the blues rock genre.
Also a special shout out to the Alabama Shakes for their first new recording in many years. And my favorite outlaw country/blues artist, Ray Wylie Hubbard, is still being his badass self at the age of 79 on his new album.
I hope you enjoy the list and thanks for reading our blog here at Blues Beats and listening to Blues Music Fan Radio!!
Recordings Out Now – Albums
Keb Mo’ – The Breakdown [Concord Records]
Danielle Nicole – Fireflies [Forty Below Records]
Antone’s 50th Anniversary Tribute – Chicago Bound [Blues Til 2 Recording Co.]
Thorbjorn Risager & Emil Balsgaard – Past Time Shadow [Black Tornado Records]
Guy Verlinde – Best of Blues Rock [Bandr Music]
Joanna Connor – Live on 11/11 [M.C. Records]
Ghost Hounds – Justified [Maple House Records]
Harry Manx – Falling Upward [Dog My Cat Records]
Ruthie Foster – Just Say Yes [Sun Records]
Kevin Burt – This Trip [Gulf Coast Records]
Alabama Shakes – I Must Be Dreaming [Island Records]
Hannah Wicklund – War on Women Calling All Good Men [Strawberry Moon Records]
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Reel 2 Reel 4 Real [Soundly Music]
Grace Potter – Trespasser [Mother Road Records]
Bernie Marsden – Stage (Live) [Conquest Records]
Steve Cropper & the Midnight Hour – Watching the Tide [Provogue Records]
Faye Carole – Faye Sings The Blues [Getdown Records]
Chris Pierce – Songs for the Heavy Hearted [Missing Piece Records]
Hooch and the Howlers – Ballad of a Howler [Aaron Bartel Productions]
Jack and the Axes – Tell You Why EP [Axe Records]
Michael Rubin – 5 Minutes of Passion [Indie]
Paolo Fioretti & the Hot Combo – Blossoms [Indie]
John Haydock – Street Corner Blues [Indie]
Jess Parker – Wholesome Prison Blues [Ragged Gum Records]
Rocky Zharp & Desiree Stevens – Greatness on My Mind [Indie]
Tami Neilson – Songs from the Motion Picture “Holy Days” EP [Outside Music]
Patrik Jansson Band – Different Shades of Blue [Sneaky Foot Records]
King Leo – King Leo & Son [3640648 Records]
Heather Anne Lomax – Who Do You Think You Are [Blackbird Records]
Dustin Arbuckle & the Damnations – Fight Live the Devil [Indie]
The Weekend Blues Band – Stone Wings [Bad Monkey Records]
September 2026 Upcoming Album Releases
Mitch Woods – A Night In New Orleans (Live) (Sep 4th)
Cedar County Cobras – Sinners & Saints (Sep 4th)
*Wailin’ Walker – Bluesmen (Sep 9th)
Mike Wheeler – Chicago Blues (Sep 11th)
Erik Steckel – Sandstorm (Sep 11th)
Blues Porter – Signs of Love (Sep 11th)
AJ Fullerton – Baretone (Sep 11th)
Seasick Steve – The Last Season of America (Sep 18th)
Katie Knipp – Live at Theater 5150 (Sep 18th)
Anthony Geraci – Where You Are (Sep 18th)
Jovin Webb – Son of a Sinner (Sep 18th)
Warren Haynes – Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey (Sep 18th)
*Big Harp George – No Shortcuts (Sept 18th)
*Donna Herula – Cold Feet (Sep 18th)
Robin Trower – Shine (Sep 25th)
Secondhand Dreamcar – Get Ready (Sep 25th)
Jamiah Rogers – Chicago Cowboy (Sep 25th)
Ben Poole – Post Midnight Behavior (Sep 25th)
*Vaneese Thomas – Window to My Soul (Sep 25th)
Phil Coyne & the Wayward Aces – White Knuckle Time (Sep 26th)
October/November/December 2026 Upcoming Releases
Justin Saladino Band – Steal My Soul (Oct 1st)
BB & the Bullets – Wrong Side of the River (Oct 2nd)
Christopher Wyze & the Tellers – Naptown Blues (Oct 2nd)
The Temperance Movement – New Promise Land Incorporated (Oct 9th)
Max Hightower – The Blues Chooses You (Oct 9th)
Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026 (Oct 9th)
Texas Headhunters – Rise and Shine (Oct 9th)
Bruce Cockburn – The Blood of Others (Oct 16th)
*Eric Johanson – The Open Bayou (Oct 16th)
Joanne Shaw Taylor – The Trouble with Love (Oct 23rd)
Jake Karlik Band – Jake Karlik Band (Oct 23rd)
Eric Jerardi – The Game (Oct 30th)
The Sharpeez – Automatic Mode (Oct 30th)
Sari Schorr – Running Wild (Oct 30th)
Eddie 9V – Down Here (Nov 6th)
Planned Release With No Set Date Yet
Holly Smith (Fall 2026)
Larry McCray – Blue Mary (Winter 2026)
Electric Soul Company – Electric Soul Company (2026)
Susan Angeletti (2026)
EJ Mathews (2026)
Alan Arena – Demise (early 2027)
The Commoners (2027)
Stevie Wonder – Through the Eyes of Wonder (2027)
Eliza Neals – Live recording from North Atlantic Blues Festival (2027)
The Commoners – new studio recording (2027)
*new to the list of upcoming releases
If you or your band have an upcoming album release in 2026/2027 and would like to be considered for inclusion on this list, please send info to ben@benveeblues.com
Other Websites with Contemporary Blues/Blues Rock News
Rock & Blues Muse https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/
Blues Rock Review https://bluesrockreview.com/
Blues Chronicles https://blueschronicles.com/
Ben Vee Blues Blog https://benveeblues.com/
