THE BEST IN BLUES 2007

This year I have the honor of finally having Don Sikorski join me in my annual tradition of picking the best blues records of the year. Don has been one of the most prolific writers Sound Waves Magazine has ever had and through the years he has become an authority on new blues music.

My own list honors Chicago blues guitarist Lurrie Bell. My reasoning is not only because of his excellent new CD, but it’s also because Lurrie is the epitome of what the blues is all about. If you look at Lurrie’s website and listen to his new music you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’ll leave it at that.

Bill’s List

1. Lurrie Bell “Let’s Talk About Love” Aria B.G. Records

2. Carey & Lurrie Bell “Gettin’ Up Live” Delmark Records

3. Tinsley Ellis “Moment of Truth” Alligator Records

4. Sugar Blue “Code Blue” Beeble Records

5. Lucky Peterson & Andy Aledort “Tete A Tete” JSP Records

6. Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan “On the Jimmy Reed Highway” Ruf Records

7. Maria Muldaur “Naughty, Bawdy, & Blue” Stony Plain Records

8. Bettye LaVette “The Scene of the Crime” Anti-Records

9. Joe Louis Walker “Playing Dirty” JSP Records

10. Tab Benoit “Power of the Pontchartrain” Telarc Records

Don’s List

1. Joe Bonamassa “Sloe Gin” Premier Artists

2. Young Neal & The Vipers “Live”

3. Coco Montoya “Dirty Deal” Alligator Records

4. Scott Holt “From Lestworth to Legend: A Tribute to Buddy Guy” Audio Fidelity

5. Tinsley Ellis “Moment of Truth” Alligator Records

6. Tommy Castro “Painkiller” Blind Pig Records

7. Tab Benoit “Power of the Pontchartrain” Telarc Records

8. Robben Ford “Truth” Concord Records

9. Chris Duarte “Blue Velocity” Blues Bureau Int’l

10. Corey Stevens “Albertville” Ruf Record

Don and I would like to dedicate this year’s top ten to the memory of Carey Bell and Bill Perry. I would also like to wish all Sound Waves readers a very happy new year.

- Bill Harriman

This year I wanted to add my favorites of 2007. There where many great recordings this year, but these are the ones that made my Top Ten.

Editor’s List

1. Nappy Brown “Long Time Coming” Blind Pig Records

2. Magic Slim & The Teardrops “The Essential Magic Slim” Blind Pig Records

3. Joe Bonamassa “Sloe Gin” Premier Artists

4. Tommy Castro “Painkiller” Blind Pig Records

5. Ana Popovic “Still Making History” Eclecto Groove Records

6. Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan “On the Jimmy Reed Highway” Ruf Records

7. John Long “Lost & Found” Delta Groove

8. John Nemeth “Magic Touch” Bling Pig Records

9. Joe Louis Walker “Playing Dirty” JSP Records

10. Phillip Walker “Going Back Home” Delta Groove