2023 has been an outstanding year for blues, rock and roots albums. It’s never easy to narrow them down to a list of 20. I’m not altogether sure that end-of-the-year lists are necessary or accurate—because music is subjective. We like what we like. But we want to support and highlight some of the best releases and this is one way to do it.
This is not a list in order of one to twenty. All of them are outstanding and deserve your attention. I encourage you to sample each one of them and dig deep. You can find each artist and the album in the Rock & Blues Muse site by using the search bar. Enjoy.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Live In London
Live in London reveals how far blues and rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone Kingfish Ingram has come since he released his first two albums Kingfish and 662. Branching out to more blues-rock, funk, contemporary R&B and jazz, he’s added an edge to many of the songs on the two-disc set. Christone Kingfish Ingram has come into his own on Live In London.
Gov’t Mule: Peace…like A River
Gov’t Mule’s 12th studio album Peace… Like A River is co-produced by John Paterno and Warren Haynes, and features guests Billy Gibbons, Billy Bob Thornton, Celisse, Ivan Neville, and Ruthie Foster. The album reflects the changes the world has gone through over the last few years through Warren Haynes’ eyes, and combines rock, blues, soul, and jazz with a 70’s rock flavor. It’s a rock and roll feast with deep insights and thoughtfulness.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1
Five-time Grammy-nominated guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd reveals his versatility and songwriting abilities on this album produced by Marshall Altman. It’s his musical evolution, with stories of love, loss and redemption. It’s all about the songs on this album, with Shepherd sharing vocal duties with Noah Hunt. And it works. While it might be tempting to play mile-long guitar solos given his abilities, Shepherd shows restraint to highlight his vocals and the songs themselves.
Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia, Blood Brothers
Both multi-Blues Music Award-winners, Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia released their new album ‘Blood Brothers’ in March of this year, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. These blues rock guitar stars created something special with this album. Together, their connection personally and musically shines bright with kick a** songs and outstanding musicianship.
Joe Bonamassa, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
Three-time Grammy nominee Joe Bonamassa is back to his blues roots with his new album, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 out on J&R Adventures. The album features two new originals and eight new covers spanning some of the most important names in the blues, from Bobby “Blue” Bland and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac to Albert King. This album is a clear winner.
Robert Finley, Black Bayou
A gumbo of blues, gospel, soul and rock, Robert Finely shares fascinating tales of his life in North Louisiana on his fourth release, ‘Black Bayou’ produced by Dan Auerbach and released on Easy Eye Sound. “A song should tell a good story,” says Finley. “By the time you hear it beginning to end, it should be like reading a short story or novel.” And each of the 11 songs on Black Bayou lives up to that promise, with the master storyteller himself at the helm.
Robert Jon & The Wreck, Ride Into The Light
Southern California-based roots rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck have done it again with their new album ‘Ride Into The Light’ out on Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Produced by a bevy of heavyweight producers/Grammy winners, the list includes Don Was, Dave Cobb, Kevin Shirley, and Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. RJTW is made up of prolific songwriters and outstanding musicians.
Ghost Hounds, First Last Time
They call themselves blues rockers, but the ever-popular Ghost Hounds weave catchy rock and roll into their sound. With a helluva singer Tré Nation and top-tier guitarists/songwriters Thomas Hull and Johnny Baab leading the band, they keep rolling out great songs. The same is true of their new album, First Last Time. Ghost Hounds are a modern day rock band that plays blues-inspired rock. The band has supported legendary acts including the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, Garth Brooks, and Bob Seger on tour.
Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton, Death Wish Blues
Samantha Fish embarks on her seventh album Death Wish Blues with country outlaw Jesse Dayton. Fish was ready for a new collaboration, and she found it in the edgy Dayton who has recorded with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Their new album Death Wish Blues marks the musical connection and the result is a blast of bluesy rock & roll that will ring in your new year in all the right ways.
Eric Bibb, Ridin’
Three-time Grammy nominee and multiple Blues Music Award-winner Eric Bibb reminds us what a brilliant storyteller and musician he is on his new album Ridin’. A modern-day blues troubadour, Bibb has created a collection of musical stories about his ancestors and brings along guests Taj Mahal, Jontavious Willis, Russell Malone, Steve Jordan, and Habib Koité to join in on the musical narrative.
The Record Company, The 4th Album
One of the most original blues-rock outfits today, the Grammy nominated trio The Record Company struck out on their own with bassist Alex Stiff filling the producer’s chair. The trio resolved to get back to basics. The stripped-down approach suits the band well, with each song built around a strong rhythmic base and colored with lap steel licks and tasty harp, both courtesy of guitarist/singer Chris Vos. There’s a hint of CCR swamp-rock in some tracks, and others lean toward acoustic Delta blues. By Stephen Guppy.
Tommy Emmanuel, Accomplice Two
As one of the greatest guitarists in the world, the Australian-born Tommy Emmanuel earned multiple Grammy nominations, ARIA Awards, IBMA Awards and countless “Best Acoustic Guitarist”. He was awarded the honor of Certified Guitar Player (CGP). His new album Accomplice Two boasts an impressive list of guest artists for 16 compelling tracks of bluegrass, country, blues, and more. Emmanuel enlisted Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Jamey Johnson, Jorma Kaukonen, Michael McDonald, Jerry Douglas, the Nitty Gritty Dirty Band, David Grisman, Raul Malo and more to collaborate with him. Not just for guitar fans. Emmanuel is a master of melody and great songs.
Rival Sons, Darkfighter
Two-time Grammy-nominated rock band Rival Sons with their new album Darkfighter confirms their reputation as masters of innovative, song-focused rock and roll. The sessions were produced by longtime Rival Sons collaborator and multiple Grammy Award winner Dave Cobb, who helped create one of the most identifiable guitar rock albums of the year.
Joanna Connor, Best of Me
Acclaimed blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Joanna Connor makes her Gulf Coast Records label debut with her newest album ‘Best of Me’. A fiery blend of blues, funk, R&B, soul and even Country, the Chicago-based Connor created one of the best albums of her career. The slide guitar queen is one of the most powerful female musicians in blues-rock, known for her incendiary slide guitar chops and soulful voice. Features Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Jason Ricci, Eric Demmer, Gary Hoey, and Mike Zito.
Parker Barrow, Jukebox Gypsies
Blues-infused southern rockers Parker Barrow led by Megan Kane (vocals) and Dylan Turner (drums) released their new album ‘Jukebox Gypsies’. A Southern soul and rock n’ roll band with a lead vocalist you’ll remember all year until their next release, Parker Barrow touches on the highs and lows of life on the road, with each song reflecting how they managed to find the sweet spot in the chaos of it all. With the sounds of Southern rock and soulful blues coursing through their veins, the couple spearheads a brand of music distinctively their own.
Coco Montoya, Writing On The Wall
Award-winning, internationally renowned blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Coco Montoya released Writing On The Wall 1 via Alligator Records. Produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge, Montoya delivers one of the best records he’s ever made. Writing on the Wall is a hook-filled 13-song set that sees the preeminent bluesman and past John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers guitarist, digging deep on searing slow blues, up-tempo blues/rock, rock & roll and R&B.
Ally Venable, Real Gone
Texas blues/rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Ally Venable is a fiery presence well-known in the roots music world. Her name has grown in stature with each new album and high-energy gig. She’s a ripping guitar player with style and tone for days, a commanding singer, and a songwriter with the power to make blues music that speaks to contemporary fans. Real Gone features guest appearances by Joe Bonamassa and a duet with living legend Buddy Guy.
Matt Andersen, The Big Bottle of Joy
Matt Andersen brought in some of the finest songwriters and A-list musicians to deliver 12 tracks of blues, rock, Americana, and gospel infused tunes that speak to the best of humanity, love, love-lost, stories about life on the road and the loneliness that comes with it. Musicians include Cory Tetford (guitars), Mike Farrington Jr (bass), Chris Kirby (B3, keyboards), Geoff Arsenault (drums, percussion), and Kim Dunn (piano, keyboards, B3). For a vocalist like Matt Andersen, one of the most talented there is, he chose well.
Savoy Brown, Blues All Around
Blues All Around is final release by British blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Kim Simmonds who launched Savoy Brown in London in 1965. Simmons lost his battle with cancer in December of 2022. Simmonds and his band helped define the sound of their era and created a body of work that few can match. The album showcases Kim Simmonds’ most-inspired guitar work and expressive vocals. His illness led him to play more guitar including slide than on previous albums.
When Rivers Meet, Aces Are High
Award-winning blues rock duo When Rivers Meet is made up of the intensely talented Grace and Aaron Bond, multi-instrumentalists, songwriters, and singers. With a minimalist blues-rock style, Grace’s vocals rival those of the other Grace once famous for her singing in the late 1960s. Aaron proves he’s a mighty guitarist and together they blend contemporary musical fire with classic, hook-filled songwriting. This British blues rock duo is like no other band out there.
Great list!
Great list
Quite the list! Some favorites and some new names to explore. Thanks Martine!
Awesome bunch of groups/ albums!
Chris Kingfish is the King! I discovered Parker Barrow by reading this list. Thanks!
I’m delighted to see Parker Barrow get some recognition. Jukebox Gypsies is my favourite album of 2023.