The Blues Blog Best of 2009 The best of the releases from 2009 that you can’t afford to miss. 1. Mike Zito: Pearl River (Eclecto Groove) “Stunning sophomore release.” 2. Chooglin’: Chooglin’ (Big Legal Mess) “A massive beast of a record that stomps, whimpers and roars.” 3. The Insomniacs: “At Least I’m Not With You” (Delta Groove) “Relaxed and authoritative but bursting with energy.” 4. Jason Ricci and New Blood: Done With the Devil (Eclecto Groove) “In spite of its spirited innovation remains steadfastly rooted in the blues.” 5. The Radio Kings: The Radio Kings: (Corazong Records) “An admirable selection of Memphis/rock/pop infused numbers.” 6. Joe Louis Walker: Between a Rock and the Blues (Stony Plain) “A blistering full-on assault that puts players half his age to shame.” 7. Percy Sledge: My Old Friend the Blues (Blues Boulevard) “An added richness about his delivery ….that comes with age and experience alone.” 8. Mitch Kashmar: Live at Labatt. (Delta Groove) “Showcases the mellow relaxed vocals and musicianship of an unsung hero who has been around since the early 1980’s.” 9. Joanne Shaw Taylor: White Sugar (Ruf Records) “Matches the highest expectations courtesy of a voice which invokes Bonnie Raitt, Rory Block, and Dusty Springfield and can moan or roar with the best of ‘em.” 10. Cedric Burnside/‘Lightnin’ Malcolm: 2 Man Wrecking Crew (Delta Groove) “Chock full of short, tense and hypnotic songs which hit the spot then move rapidly on.” 11. Bobby Jones: Comin’ Back Hard (Delta Groove) “Soulful blues of the highest order.” 12. Erja Lyytinen: Grip of the Blues (Ruf Records) “Fluid, accessible and stylish.” 13. Delta Moon: Howlin at the Southern Moon (Blues Boulevard) “A swaying, swirling and swampy sound that will appeal to admirers of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Rolling Stones.” 14. Nimmo Brothers: Picking up the Pieces (Armadillo) “Combines the power they produce in concert with the fine-tuning required for a successful CD.” 15. Tommy McCoy: Live Blues in Britain (Blues Boulevard) “Collecting together the prize cuts from his back catalogue and filtering them through a live audience.” Next