Here's my top 10 from 2023 plus another 20 noteworthy albums in no particular order. These aren't necessarily the best or most popular albums of the year, but more ones that were particular favorites of mine.

1) Jovin Webb – Drifter (Blind Pig)
The renaissance of long-time blues label Blind Pig is highlighted by their introduction of a pair of new young artists, with Webb's solid blues album the best of the year. This is low-down blues at its best. I can't wait to hear more from this Louisiana dude, as well as what else Blind Pig has in store for 2025.

2) John Primer & Bob Corritore – Crawlin' Kingsnake (SWMAF/VizzTone)
Chicago blues veteran Primer and harmonica player Corritore have recorded together quite often over the last decade or so, but Crawlin' Kingsnake takes their collaboration to new heights. This is vintage Chicago blues at its best.

3) Sonny Gullage – Go Be Free (Blind Pig)
Here's the other young Louisiana bluesman brought to the forefront of the blues scene by Blind Pig, with this stellar album of soulful blues. The title cut is worth the price of admission alone.

4) Chris Cain – Good Intentions (Alligator)
I've been a loyal fan of Cain's music since I first heard Late Night City Blues back in the 1980s, and Good Intentions is one of the best in his vast discography. Few singer/songwriters can relay the relationship troubles in his songs more succinctly than Cain, and he still plays the guitar like B.B. King.

5) Bywater Call - Shepherd (Gypsy Soul)
The first of many groups from Canada that show up on my list, Bywater Call brings out the big sound with plenty of guitar and horns backing the marvelous voice of Meghan Parnell. Horizons are expanded with the diverse material on Shepherd, showing continual growth by this Toronto-based band.

6)  Ndidi O - Simple Songs For Complicated Times (Black Hen)
Keeping it north of the border, I was unfamiliar with this wonderful singer and songwriter before this album showed up in my inbox, and since then I've done a deep dive to find more from her discography. I'll call it soul/blues, but there's a whole lot more in her original compositions, especially the personal empowerment number, "Worth."

7) Altered Five Blues Band - Testifyin'  (Blind Pig)
Completing my trifecta of outstanding 2024 releases from Blind Pig, this Milwaukee-based group's been around for a while, driven by the booming vocals of Jeff Taylor. I was waiting for a new album for more than a year, and this EP just whets my appetite for more from them.

8) Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman (Stony Plain)
The long-time blues guitarist goes outside the box for this beautiful album of selections from woman guitarists like Elizabeth Cotten, Mother Maybelle Carter, Lydia Mendoza, and more, all performed by Foley on one guitar -- a Flemenco Blanca guitar that she purchased in Mexico.

9) Kevin Burt & Big Medicine – Thank You Brother Bill, A Tribute To Bill Withers (Gulf Coast Records)
I've long been a big fan of Kevin Burt and also love the music of Bill Withers, so of course this mash-up is absolutely a winner ,especially Burt's rendition of "Who Is He?".

10) Jerron Paxton - Things Done Changed (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings)
This was a new name to me but I was immediately overwhelmed by this young multi-instrumentalist playing acoustic blues from the past century.

Other equally outstanding albums from 2024 (in no particular order):

Jade MacRae - In My Veins (self-released)
Now one of my favorite singers, this native of Australia now spends most of her time in the states. Her latest album is a delightful blend of blues, soul, and R&B.

Toronzo Cannon - Shut Up & Play! (Alligator)
Chicago blues man moves over to Alligator for a strong example of Windy City blues.

Vanessa Collier - Do It My Own Way (Phenix Fire Records)
See this month's Surprise pick for more info on Collier's latest release.

Carly Harvey - Kamama (Do Good Records)
D.C.-based blues/soul singer also mixes in sounds from her Native American heritage.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds - Struck Down (Stony Plain)
They've been around for 50 years or so, and still sound as fresh as ever.

Shemekia Copeland - Blame It On Eve (Alligator)
Continuing to show the influences in her music from her time spent in Nashville, Copeland sings about important issues of the day, also mixes in a semi-autobiographical number or two, and plays tribute to father, Johnny Copeland, with a rockin' cover of one of his best-known songs.

Vaneese Thomas - Stories In Blue (Overton Music)
Ms. Thomas should be considered Memphis royalty, and this seven-song EP shows why.

The Imagine If - Great Expectations (Imagine If Records)
One of my favorite songs of the year is from this Toronto-based progressive soul group, with "Intimacy" being a stunning number that tends towards R&B but with a strong dose of blues injected into it.

Curtis Salgado - Fine By Me (Little Village)
The dean of blues from the Pacific Northwest, Salgado continues to seamlessly mesh blues and soul with his powerhouse vocals.

Ollee Owens - Nowhere To Hide (Ollee Music Inc.)
A newcomer in the blues world, coming to us from Calgary, Alberta, Canada Owens packs powerful vocals into her life experiences for an amazing debut album.

Matthew Chaffey - Hotel Texas (Gypsy Soul)
Ottawa, Canada-based soul singer traveled to Austin, Texas to record this excellent six-song EP. You'll listen to it over and over, quickly realizing that this young man could be the next big thing.

Amanda Fish - Kingdom (VizzTone)
An artist who continues to grow, this is her best so far.

Tinsley Ellis – Naked Truth (Alligator Records)
Ellis changes directions with this acoustic blues album.

Marcus Trummer - From The Start (Gypsy Soul)
Still another exciting soulful blues singer from Canada.

Rick Estrin & the Nightcats - The Hits Keep Coming! (Alligator)
Little Charlie is no longer around, but under the leadership of harp player Estrin these 'cats are sounding better than ever.

Ronnie Baker Brooks - Blues In My DNA (Alligator)
Son of blues legend Lonnie Brooks, which is why he sings about having blues in his DNA.

The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra - What Are You Waiting For? (Blue Dot)
New singer Willy Jordan joins the orchestra for this very fine album.

Billy Price - Person Of Interest (Little Village)"
Like The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Price has been around for nearly half a century, but his blue-eyed soul voice sounds as good as ever.

Eden Brent - Getaway Blues (Yellow Dog)
Now my favorite album from the Mississippi piano player.

Piper and The Hard Times - Revelation (Hard Times Records)
Lead singer of this Nashville band that became known from their big win in last year's International Blues Challenge, Piper has a very deep voice that could peal paint off the wall.