By Phillip Smith; Dec.31, 2023
PhillyCheeze's Favorite 25 of 2023
(in alphabetical order)
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| 11 Guys Quartet - 11 x 11 |
Forming in Boston around forty years ago as 11th Hour Blues Band, guitarist Paul Lenart, bassist Bill “Coach” Mather, drummer Chuck Purro, and harmonicist Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt played the local club and bar scene there before cutting their first album Hot Time in the City in 1985. Now known as 11 Guys Quartet, their latest album 11 x 11 has grabbed my attention in a huge way. This follow-up album to their critically acclaimed 2020 release Small Blues and Grooves, packs eleven original tracks into one disc for a fantastic blues listening experience.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/11/647-11-guys-quartet-11-x-11.html
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| Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos - Cheat the Devil |
The latest album from Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos is appropriately named Cheat the Devil, ‘cause it is hot as hell. Produced by Tab Benoit, this record is packed with ten searing guitar-centric blues tracks that will shake the floor underneath the speakers. With Rosano on lead guitar and vocals, the Conqueroos are comprised of Kyle McCormick on drums and Jake Fultz on bass.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/09/634-anthony-rosano-and-conqueroos-cheat.html
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| Blackburn Brothers - SoulFunkin' Blues |
SoulFunkin’BLUES, the latest album from the Canadian multi-award-winning blues band Blackburn Brothers, is one of the most exciting releases of the year. Brothers Duane (lead vocals, organ, piano), Brooke (guitar, vocals), Cory (drums, harmony vocals), and Robert (guitar, harmony vocals), along with cousin Nathan (bass guitar) have crafted a powerful album of funk and soul which is garnering huge attention from the music community.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/09/636-blackburn-brothers-soulfunknblues.html
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| Jimi Primetime Smith & Bob Corritore - The World in a Jug |
I find the Blues is still quite alive when listening to The World in a Jug, the new collaboration between Maxwell Street blues veterans Jimi “Primetime” Smith and Bob Corritore. The two reconnected seven years ago in Arizona, and this album documents ten songs they have recorded since. With Smith on vocals/guitar and Corritore on harmonica, the album features a cast of fifteen backing musicians and vocalists coming together in different configurations on each track.https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/02/597-jimi-primetime-smith-bob-corritore.html
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Boo Boo Davis - Boo Boo Boogaloo
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At almost eighty years old, St. Louis bluesman James ‘Boo Boo’ Davis is still busy creating some of the most authentic blues being recorded today. Born in Drew, Mississippi in 1943, Davis grew up being surrounded by music, playing drums in a family band. In 1972, he landed an eighteen-year-long gig playing weekends at Tabby’s Red Room in East St. Louis. In 1999, Davis cut his debut album called East St. Louis and he’s been busy making records since. His twelfth and latest release Boo Boo Boogaloo features ten original tracks as real and raw as the blues can get. It’s the kind of blues that slow-drips and settles in the gut. I love how it feels to hear it. Produced by Chris Millar, LA Jones, and Paul Niehaus IV, the album features Boo Boo on lead vocals and harmonica, Jones on guitar, Adrianna Marie on bass, Millar on drums, and Niehaus on keys.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/05/615-boo-boo-davis-boo-boo-boogaloo.html
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| Cedar County Cobras - Homesick Blues |
Cedar County Cobras, a blues and roots duo from Iowa has grabbed my full attention with their new album Homesick Blues. Comprised by Tom Spielbauer and April Dirks, the Cedar County Cobras were formed in 2014 and have logged hundreds of shows across the state and Midwest. In 2022, Spielbauer won the Iowa Blues Challenge for solo artists, securing a spot at the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee where he placed as a semi-finalist. The duo’s songs are soaked with a pre-war blues essence and are wonderfully performed with Spielbauer on guitar and foot-drum and Dirks on mandolin and upright bass.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/12/651-cedar-county-cobras-homesick-blues.html
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| Chickenbone Slim - Damn Good and Ready |
San Diego-based musician Larry Teves aka Chickenbone Slim has returned to Greaseland Studios to record his fifth release Damn Good and Ready. The album is a cocktail of all-original blues and rockabilly with a cool-as-hell vintage sound. It is quite obvious why he was awarded the 2022 San Diego Music Award for “Best Jazz/Blues Recording”. With Christoffer “Kid” Anderson engineering, mixing, and mastering this twelve-track recording, Chickenbone Slim is joined by Laura Chavez (2023 Blues Music Award winner for Best Blues Guitarist) on guitar, Marty Dodson on drums/percussion, Justice Guevara on electric and stand-up bass, and Kid Anderson on everything else.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/08/628-chickenbone-slim-damn-good-and.html
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| Craig Erickson - Modern Blues |
I’m very excited to hear new music from Iowa-based artist Craig Erickson. He always delivers the goods when it comes to high-octane, guitar-fueled blues-rock. I love his funky, cosmic and from-the-heart approach to songwriting. His latest album Modern Blues is a twelve-track journey of finding balance amidst the challenges facing the world today. As a proficient multi-instrumentalist, Erickson takes on vocals, guitar, bass, and keyboards, with Jeff Sipe (Col. Bruce Hampton, Leftover Salmon, Cedell Davis) on drums.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/02/596-craig-erickson-modern-blues.html
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| Dyer Davis - Dog Bites Back |
There is a new favorite blues-rocker on the block, and his name is Dyer Davis. This twenty-three-year-old from Florida is a master of guitar and hosts a tremendously soulful voice. A sense of comfort flows through me knowing the future of this treasured genre is in very good hands. Davis’ songs are soaked in blues and delivered with a punch. His debut album Dog Bites Back is co-produced by Stephen Dees and Billy Chapin. With Davis on vocals and guitars, the record features David Weatherspoon on drums, and Jacob Barone on bass. Also appearing on the record are guests Victor Wainwright on piano and vocals, Stephen Dees on bass guitar, Billy Chapin on guitars and organ, Patricia Ann Dees on tenor sax, flute and vocals, and Billy Dean on drums.
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| EG Kight - Sticks & Strings |
Sticks & Strings, the latest release from EG Kight captivated me upon the first listen. Kight’s beautifully-crafted songs are decorated with southern charm and immerse me with in wave of mesmerizing grace. Backed with her “boys” lead guitarist Ken Wynn and drummer/percussionist Gary Porter, the ensemble also features guest bassist Sean Williams on five tracks.
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| Emma Wilson - Memphis Calling |
Memphis Calling, the new album from British blues singer Emma Wilson, puts a smile on my face with every listen. Wilson, who was awarded Emerging Blues Artist of the Year at the UK Blues Awards in 2022 for her debut album Wish Her Well, captures the pure essence of the Memphis sound. Recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Studio, using the original STAX recording console, and a bullpen of Memphis musicians, this record is nothing less than extraordinary with Wilson’s soulful, buttery vocals pouring freely over every note. Backing Wilson on this release is Charlie Hodges ( Hi Rhythm Section) on Hammond organ, Archie “Hubbie” Turner (Hi Rhythm Section) on electric piano, Wurlitzer, and acoustic piano, Joe Restivo (The Bo Keys) on guitar, Leroy Hodges (Hi Rhythm Section) on bass guitar, Steve Potts (Booker T & the MGs, Gregg Allman Band) on drums, Kirk Smothers (The Bo Keys, Cyndi Lauper) on tenor and baritone sax, Marc Franklin (The Bo Keys, Cyndi Lauper) on trumpet, and Scott Bomar on tambourine.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/12/649-emma-wilson-memphis-calling.html
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| GA-20 Live in Loveland |
GA-20 ranks right up there among my favorite blues bands playing today. I have absolutely loved their previous two studio albums, Crackdown, and Does Hound Dog Taylor. The records are magnificent. GA-20 has a way of filling every nook and cranny of their music with a timeless vintage sound and raw fearlessness. Live in Loveland, their first full-length live album, was recorded direct-to-tape on a Tascam 388 in Loveland, Ohio at Plaid Room Records. It features previously unrecorded tracks along with songs from Crackdown and their 2019 debut album Lonely Soul. The musical chemistry shared between vocalist/guitarist Pat Faherty, guitarist/producer Matthew Stubbs, and drummer Tim Carman is sheer electric and fortified with true grit.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/03/601-ga-20-live-in-loveland.html
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Ghalia Volt - Shout Sister Shout!
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I have been enamored by the music of Ghalia Volt since her album with Johnny Mastro and Mamas Boys Let the Demons Out crossed my desk for review five years ago. She is a musical force on guitar and vocals with a mastery of songwriting. Ghalia’s talent shines bright with on her latest release Shout Sister Shout!. The album is loaded with a dozen all-original tracks. Each one is a gem. Backing Ghalia is Danny Frankel on drums/percussion, Ben Alleman on keys, and special guest on guitar David Catching.
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| Jimmy Bennett - Sunday Morning Sessions |
Sunday Morning Sessions, the new album from Jimmy Bennett (Bennett Brothers, Alexis P. Suiter, John Ginty, Bruce Katz) stole my heart from the first listen. Bennett, an original member of Levon Helm's Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, New York, began writing this record on Easter Sunday 2020 as a response to the beginning days of the Coronavirus outbreak. That day, he wrote, recorded, and posted a video for his new song “Easter Morning Melody” on Facebook. The positive response he received encouraged him to keep moving forward, spawning the Sunday Morning Sessions which he continues producing today. This record is a tribute to those Sunday sessions and to the listeners who tune in. Produced by John Ginty at Shark Tank Studio in Sarasota, Florida, the album features Bennett on acoustic guitar, dobro, and vocals, with Ginty on Vintage Vibe piano, Hammond organ, and drums.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/07/623-jimmy-bennett-sunday-morning.html
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| Johnny Wheels & the Swamp Donkeys - Keep on Pushin' |
A magical energy abundantly flows from the latest album Keep on Pushin’ by Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys a Finalist Band in the 2020 International Blues Challenge. The music this tight-knit ensemble cooks up is a special blend of Blues, R & B, Rock, Soul, and Funk. With Johnny “Wheels” Kennicott taking on the frontman position on vocals and harmonica, the rest of this extraordinary band is comprised of guitarist Brandon Logan, drummer Doug Knoyle, guitarist Michael Rabe, bassist Taylor Frazier..
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| Jonah Tolchin - Dockside |
Dockside, the fifth album from Jonah Tolchin swiftly swept me off my feet with its real-deal North Mississippi blues, and sweet southern soul. Co-produced by Tolchin and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), and recorded at Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana, twelve-track recording of all-original songs signifies the first release on Tolchin’s brand new label Clover Music Group. With Tolchin on vocals, lead guitar, and harmonica, and Dickinson on rhythm guitar, lead guitar, and clave, the other performers are comprised of drummer Terence Higgins (Warren Haynes), bassist Nic Coolidge, keyboardist Chris Joyner (Ben Harper), pianist Carey Frank (Tedeschi Trucks Band), vocalist Chavonne Stewart (Jackson Brown) and vocalist Marley Monroe.
https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/2023/10/638-jonah-tolchin-dockside.html
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| Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers - How Many Roads? |
How Many Roads? , the eighth release from New York ensemble Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers grabbed my attention quite quickly on the first listen. Grey’s voice is powerful and soulful as she performs the eleven masterfully-written originals on this album. Known for their rock, blues, and burlesque shows in Brooklyn and lower Manhatten, the group is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Lex Grey, producer/guitarist/audio engineer Vic ‘Mix’ Deyglio, writer/musician Ed Wasilewski, sonic innovator Brian Dewan, and drummer/percussionist Sonny Rock.
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| Mario Rossi Band - Smoke Burst |
Brazilian singer/songwriter/guitarist Mario Rossi discovered his deep passion for blues in 2013 while joining John Primer’s touring band across Brazil. Since then, he has blazed a trail that has caught the eyes and ears of many fans. Smoke Burst, his fourth and most recent album is a fantastic recording of all original tunes loaded with hot guitar licks and infectious riffs. With Rossi on guitar and vocals, his band is comprised of Edê Boy on keyboards, Marcelo Rocha on bass, and Rafael Cacavallo on drums.
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| Mem_Mods - Vol. 1 |
Longtime friends Steve Selvidge (Big Ass Truck), Paul Taylor and Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), sons of Memphis music legends Sid Selvidge, Pat Taylor, and Jim Dickinson are now legends by their own right. It took a pandemic to reconnect these three musicians who played together as kids in the 1970s to make this intoxicating new instrumental recording. With Selvidge on guitar, bass, Rhodes, and drum machine, Dickinson on bass and various keys, and Taylor on drums, percussion, various basses, synth pedals, and soundscapes, the trio drew inspiration from the music they loved growing up in Memphis. They set the pin in the Bluff City as ground zero, exploded the sound into the outer dimensions, and created a dozen hypnotic, funky, space jams.
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| Scott Weis Band - Raise Your Hands |
I immensely enjoyed the past couple of releases from Scott Weis Band. Their eighth and latest album Raise Your Hands is no exception. For something a little different this time Weis injects a heavy dose of southern rock into his blues and it sounds fantastic. Weis is joined again by drummer Roger Voss and bassist Robert Kopec. He is also accompanied by vocalist Cindy Mizelle, keyboardist John Ginty, and percussionist Bashiri Johnson, with Sarah Smith making a guest appearance on vocals.
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| Sue Foley - Live in Austin - Vol 1 |
Sue Foley’s latest release Live in Austin Vol. 1 sunk its teeth into my heart quite quickly. The 2020 Blues Music Award recipient of the Koko Taylor Award category plays through a mix of originals and covers on her new album, produced by Mike Flanigin. The record nicely captures the artist her home-turf with a sold-out show at Austin, Texas’ Continental Club. With Foley on guitar and vocals, her band consists of bassist Jon Penner, drummer Corey Keller, guitarist Derek O’Brian, Angela Miller on background vocals and tambourine, and Lauren Cervantes on background vocals.
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| Tas Cru - Riffin' the Blue |
Riffin’ the Blue, the latest from New York bluesman Tas Cru, certainly lives up to its name. The riffs are infectious and deliciously bluesy, making for a fantastic new batch of home-grown originals from Tas. The album is self-produced and features Tas on vocals and guitar with Mary Ann Casale on backing vocals, Ron Keck on percussion, Bruce Katz on piano/organ, Andy Hearn on drums, and Bob Purdy on bass. Special guests include Mike Zito, Lenny Milano, and Bill Barry.
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| Tav Falco Panther Burns - Nashville Sessions |
In the 1980’s, I lived about 70 miles from Memphis, and visited the Bluff City often. This was when I was first acquainted with the music of Tav Falco. He was often the topic of discussion at the record stores I frequented. The Panther Burns songs were unique, and stood out from the typical music which stocked the shelves back then. Hearing this new release Nashville Sessions: Live at Bridgetone Arena Studios brings back a lot of memories. Recorded for Sirius XM Outlaw Country, Nashville Sessions captures the intoxicating charm of Tav during his 2022 US tour. With Tav on lead vocals and guitars, the Panther Burns are comprised of Mario Monterosso on lead guitar, Walter Brunetti on drums, and Giuseppe Sangirardi on bass.
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| Tony Holiday - Motel Mississippi |
From his Porch Session albums, to his studio releases, I always find the music of Tony Holiday to be abundantly filled with juicy harp performances and swampy grooves. His latest album, Motel Mississippi fits the bill again, and I really dig it. When I read the album was recorded at Zebra Ranch in Coldwater, Mississippi, I knew it was going to be special. With Holiday on vocals and harmonica, AJ Fullerton on guitar, Terrence Grayson on bass, Lee Williams on drums, and Dave Gross on guitars, organs, percussion, snare, and synth, the album has a rich texture.
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| Willie J. Laws Jr. - Too Much Blues |
Known as the “Last Prophet of the Funky Texas Blues”, Willie J Laws Jr., certainly lives up to his title in regards to his latest album Too Much Blues. His blend of blues is enriched with a blast of funkdafied grooves, and I like it a lot. The record, produced by Paul Nelson, features Laws on guitar and vocals, with Dave Johnson on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys/piano/organ/synth, and Justin Blackburn on drums/percussion.
PhillyCheeze's Favorite 25 albums of 2023 Spotify Playlist
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