10 New Modern Blues, Rock & Soul Songs You Must Hear Winter 2022

Photos: Beth Hart: Roxanne de Roode, Dom Martin: Tony Cole, Brave Rival: Rob Blackham, Sugaray Rayford: Allison Morgan, blues

10 New Modern Blues, Rock & Soul Songs You Must Hear Winter 2022

By Martine Ehrenclou

We’re off and running with some absolutely great new blues, rock and soul music for the new year and it’s only February. Each of these 10 artists and bands have upcoming and brand new releases. Dig in and shake off those winter blues. Even with the pandemic, these outstanding artists/bands have managed to create new to music to get you through.

Each one is hand-picked and includes info on the artist/band, their new album, music from that record, and a link to their website should you decide to explore a little further. Check them out. Even if one song doesn’t do it for you, dive in and see if there are other songs that you like. These aren’t just ordinary musicians but highly talented artists and bands. Some you probably know, others you might not. There’s nothing like the thrill of discovering new music.

If you live in parts of the country where snow has crept to your back door, light a fire and take the plunge into this brand new music. It’ll make your night, your weekend, your week.

Here are 10 new modern blues, rock and soul songs that you must hear. I hope you enjoy. I welcome your comments in the comment section below.

For our article 20 Modern Blues-Rock and Rock & Roll Songs You Must Hear Fall of 2021 See Here. 

Beth Hart
Grammy-nominated powerhouse vocalist Beth Hart is about to release her new album, A Tribute To Led Zeppelin on February 25 via Provogue/ Mascot Label Group. With a dynamic voice like Hart’s, you know this album is going to be a winner. When producer Rob Cavallo was working with Hart on her last album, War In My Mind, Beth sang “Whole Lotta Love” in the studio for fun. He asked her about doing a whole Zeppelin record. She initially refused but then tapped into the right amount of anger from the pandemic to channel into the songs.
Info and Video Press Here 
 
Tinsley Ellis
Southern blues/rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and all around superstar, Tinsley Ellis is a contemporary blues legend. Nominated for “Blues Rock Artist” for the 2022 Blues Music Awards, Ellis is a beloved artist with sizzling guitar riffs and expressive vocals. His new album, Devil May Care is one for the record books. Out January 21 on Alligator Records, Devil May Care is Ellis’ 20^th album and sprang from 200 songs he wrote during the pandemic shutdown. Mixing muscular rock and roll and hard blues, it highlights his Southern blues/rock-tinged sound.
Info and Video Press Here 
 
Dom Martin
Multi-award winning and multi-nominated Northern Irish blues/rock guitarist Dom Martin will release his highly anticipated sophomore studio album A Savage Life on April 8, 2022. His newly released single “12 Gauge” is a fiery blues/rock tale of heartbreak, love and trouble. Martin’s sound is fresh, his vocals bruising and soulful. Hailed by many as the Blues’ biggest Irish export since the iconic guitarist Rory Gallagher, Dom Martin won the “Acoustic Blues Act of The Year” at the UK Blues Awards, as well as being nominated for “Blues Instrumentalist of The Year” and “Emerging Artist of The Year.” In 2020, Dom won “Acoustic Blues Act of The Year” at the UK Blues Awards.
Info and Video Press Here
 
Eric Gales
Blues/rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Eric Gales is extraordinary. Now that Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith have produced his new album, Crown out January 28 via Provogue/Mascot Label Group, this highly talented vocalist, songwriter and six-string genius is finally getting his due in the spotlight. Crown is a compelling album of blues, rock, soul and funk with Gales’ masterful guitar, warm vocals and gutsy emotional songs. The title track even features a thrilling and fun guitar battle with Joe Bonamassa.
Info and Video Press Here 
 
Maggie Rose
Maggie Rose is the only artist presented here whose album was released in 2021. But she has a new live performance video “It’s You” that is so good, I had to include it. Rock and soul singer, Maggie Rose is based in Nashville and recently released Have a Seat on Starstruck Records, produced by Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes. With a one-of-a-kind voice, Rose simply must be heard. She digs deep for her live performance of “It’s You” and hers is a voice you won’t forget.
Maggie Rose website
Watch “It’s You” Video Here
 
The Sully Band
Rockin’ nine-piece R&B outfit The Sully Band won “Best Live Band” at the 2020 San Diego Music Awards and is loaded up with Grammy Award winners and Tony Award winners. Anchored by Grammy Award-winning slayer of the bass, James East (Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson), The Sully Band is composed of seasoned, accomplished players. Their debut album, Let’s Straighten It Out! is set to release March 11 via Belly Up Records/ Blue Élan Records, produced by multi-Grammy Award winner Chris Goldsmith (Charlie Musselwhite, Ben Harper).The forthcoming album features 10 modern versions of classic soul, blues, funk and R&B tunes.
Info and Video Press Here 
 
Albert Castiglia
Another album written during the pandemic shutdown, Albert Castiglia’s blistering, blues/rock can be heard on his upcoming album, I Got Love out March 25 on Gulf Coast Records, and produced by Mike Zito. A stinging, muscular guitarist and expressive vocalist, Castiglia says, “I Got Love is a musical essay documenting the last two years of my life; two years of many highs and lows.” His follow-up to his last release, Wild and Free, all 11 tracks were written by Castiglia and some with co-writers including Mike Zito. Raised in Miami, Albert served an apprenticeship while backing legendary blues musician Junior Wells and later worked with Sandra Hall. No single from the album is available at this time so I chose a video courtesy of Don Odell.
Info Press Here 
Video Press Here
 
Sugaray Rayford
Grammy nominee, multi Blues Music Award-winner Sugaray Rayford returns with a modern blast of soul-blues with his forthcoming album In Too Deep, out March 4, 2022 via Forty Below Records, produced  by Eric Corne. Sugaray’s full-bodied, incredibly soulful voice delivers classic melodies and funky, R&B grooves. His last release, Somebody Save Me, earned Sugaray a 2020 Grammy nomination and wins for BMAs “Soul Blues Male Artist” and “B.B King Entertainer of the Year.” Rayford is once again nominated for “B.B. King Entertainer of the Year” for the 2022 BMAs as well as two other nominations. This album is a winner with powerful, moving and celebratory tracks.
Info and Video Press Here 
 
Larry McCray
Legendary blues guitarist, powerhouse vocalist, songwriter Larry McCray is set to release his new album Blues Without You, out March 25, 2022 out on Keeping The Blues Alive Records, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The award-winning blues guitarist has played in some of the world’s most famous blues festivals from Monterey, CA to King Biscuit, AK to the UK and Europe. With nine albums to his name, this superb musician is now brought to the forefront with the help of Bonamassa, Smith and KTBA Records.
Info and Video Press Here
 
Brave Rival
UK-based, five-piece rock, blues and soul band Brave Rival features the stunning vocals of Lindsey Bonnick and Chloe Josephine along with ripping guitar, powerful drums and bass from the band. Their forthcoming album, Life’s Machine, is set to release May 6, 2022 and produced by Tarrant Shepherd. Put on hold because of the global pandemic, Brave Rival dug in deep with writing new material for their album. The band has been nominated for “Best Emerging Blues Artist of The Year” at the UK Blues Awards 2022. Hot off touring with Stevie Nimmo and The Billy Walton Band, the band performed at 2022 Great British and Blues Festival.
Info and Video Press Here 

I welcome your comments below.