As the end of the year approaches, it is time to reflect upon the blues highlights and decide what to buy or listen to over the Christmas break.
1. Giles Robson & John Primer – Ten Chicago Blues Classics
UK-based vocalist and harmonica virtuoso Giles, hailing from Jersey, has earned a prestigious Blues Music Award from Memphis, made history as the first and only European artist signed to Alligator Records, and is deeply rooted in both the traditional and electric blues of Chicago. Singer and guitarist John is a multiple Grammy nominee, Blues Music, Blues Blast and Living Blues Award winner, and Blues Hall of Fame inductee.
These two are a couple born to duet, each taking it in turn to showcase their individual talents to the full whilst supporting each other in a barnstorming set paying homage to some Chicago greats including Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter. This is old school, authentic 50s blues at its best with a modern twist: high energy, full of angst, tempered with some joy and, above all, exuding unsurpassed technicality.
Giles Robson explains:
The age-old tunes accumulate in the soundtracks of our lives, providing catharsis in the face of heartbreak, adversity and grief. They are ultimately “a music of survival… based in real life experience,” and if the past can tell us anything, the genre is here to stay.
2. Elles Bailey – Beneath the Neon Glow
As an independent artist, Elles has achieved the rare feats of chart success and two major UK Blues and Americana Awards this year. Her fourth studio album and probably her best so far comprises ten original beautifully written and arranged melodic songs. Bailey’s rise to the top spans a decade and continues apace, but her modesty still prevails.
The stunning and memorable acoustic version of the uplifting “Enjoy The Ride” is a promise of what’s to come:
Cuz there’s no destination
Only dreams to realize
Choose my own direction
And I’ll just drive
With the top down
Wind in my hair
Embrace the endless sky
Sit back, buckle up, enjoy the ride
3. Joanne Shaw Taylor – Heavy Soul
Now resident in America but born, bred and still much loved in the UK, Joanne has established herself as a world class blues woman, singer, songwriter and guitarist. Her ninth studio album combines blues, roots and rock, her originals, the killer title track, and “Black Magic” standing out in an overall great album. Just sit back and absorb those scintillating guitar licks as Taylor belts out in her smoky, impassioned tones, “You don’t know what it is to have a heavy soul.”
4. Sean Taylor – The End Of The Rainbow
Sean is the UK’s best-known and most highly respected musician, troubadour, activist and peace campaigner. This album is one of hope and despair.
“DWP” is a moving, highly personal account of the humiliation and bureaucracy experienced when having to seek social benefit entitlements. The lyrics and associated imagery of this slow burner with its brilliant piano accompaniment are dramatic and angry:
It’s a lean mean murdering machine
That wants us to give up on life
Make no excuse jump through hoops
They grin as they sharpen the knife
5. Ten Years After – Woodstock 1969
It has taken 55 years for an audio recording of the entire epic standalone performance of Ten Years After at Woodstock to be released. This double album comprises 75 minutes of some of the most authentic British blues rock ever recorded live, now available at long last for the world to enjoy.
Alvin Lee cements his reputation for posterity as a consummate blues vocalist and guitarist with breathtaking versions of “Spoonful,” “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl,” and Blind Willie Johnson’s “I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes.” Watch the maestro of blues, jazz and soulful and electrifying guitar performing in San Francisco, 1975 at the top of his game; it’s a master class.
6. Terry Marshall And Friends – Living The Blues
The surprise event of the decade, not just 2024, was when 80 year-old tenor saxophonist Terry Marshall, co-founder of Marshall Amplifiers, released an album with his friends.
Terry keeps excellent company, performing with lesser known blues talent, titans of their local blues communities. It is superb, authentic blues which oozes enjoyment and passion for the genre. Deservedly, it has been a big hit in the UK, blues fans appreciating its honesty and integrity – an antidote to pretention and commercialism with the royalties going to charity. Hugh Budden’s vocals and harp attacks complement Terry’s growling sax and Robin Bibi’s sharp guitar work on a sensational version of “Help Me.”