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Top 20 Albums of 2014

It’s been another fantastic year of blues rock music. Our staff and readers voted on their favorite albums of the year and here are the best from 2014.


20. Count’s 77: Count’s 77

“Count’s 77 gives headbangers hope for the heavier side of rock and roll. They maintain a distinct correlation to the hard rock of decades past. A revived sense of raw, unadulterated energy gives the band a prominent foot in the modern rock doorway.” – Don Tice

(Buy on Amazon)


19. Paul Rodgers: The Royal Sessions

The Royal Sessions gleans inspiration from legends like Chuck Berry and Solomon Burke who recorded in the same location many years earlier, as well as from dozens of other artists who first inspired Rodgers to devote his life to making music.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy on Amazon)


18. No Sinner: Boo Hoo Hoo

“The record is a fantastic debut comprising of well-written original material and dynamic covers. Its vivacity and variation make it the perfect platform for the future.” – George Ward

(Buy on Amazon)


17. The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer: A Real Fine Mess

A Real Fine Mess accomplishes everything a good blues record ought to – it’s assertive, organic, and infectious, and continually looks forward while paying homage to the past.” – Richard MacDougall

(Buy on Amazon)


16. David Michael Miller: Poisons Sipped

“Miller’s voice coupled with his affinity for gospel songs definitely confirms that Poisons Sipped strikes at the soul. Miller’s debut solo record has proved that he has a unique take on the blues.” – Richard MacDougall

(Buy on Amazon)


15. Walter Trout: The Blues Came Callin’

The Blues Came Callin’ is a collection of 12 songs that collects Walter’s thoughts about mortality and life.” – Kevin O’Rourke

(Buy on Amazon)


14. Ty Curtis: Water Under The Bridge

“Displayed at the forefront of each track is his natural ability to capture undivided attention from listeners with tantalizing instrument lines in each song arrangement. Highly evolved artistry, intellectual lyrics, and polished production are the icing on the cake of the perfected music package that is Water Under The Bridge.” – Jackie Howell

(Buy on Amazon)


13. The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band: Goin’ Home

“Kenny and his band take things up a notch on Goin’ Home, likely influenced by the company they shared in the studio. Playing what you loved as a kid is like returning to Disney World for the first time. On the album, Kenny got to reenact scenes from the albums that inspired generations of music, most notably his own.” – Don Tice

(Buy on Amazon)


12. Matt Schofield: Far As I Can See

“This album is a real treat for any fan of not only the blues, but any groove-based music.  From the funk to the ballads to the straight-ahead blues to the shuffles, this record just feels so darn good.” – Nik Rodewald

(Buy on Amazon)


11. The Black Keys: Turn Blue

Turn Blue brings a slight departure from The Black Keys sound, but doesn’t change the level of quality. Turn Blue is a solid album, proving that taking risks will often work.” – Alysha Rendflesh

(Buy on Amazon)


10. Joanne Shaw Taylor: The Dirty Truth

“The blues scene has had its eyes on Joanne Shaw Taylor for a few years now, and with good reason. Her blues-gone-rock brand of music is incredibly cohesive, and Taylor does casually what most artists strive for.” – Richard MacDougall

(Buy on Amazon)


9. Danny Bryant: Temperature Rising

“It is Bryant’s ability to capture human emotion through the use of his impeccable musicianship that sets Temperature Rising a part from all other current blues rock records.” – Jackie Howell

(Buy on Amazon)


8. Rival Sons: Great Western Valkyrie

“Created during a six-week studio lockdown in Nashville, Great Western Valkyrie is Rival Sons, pure and simple. Fans and critics alike have come to expect the explosive combination of skillful musicianship and precise performances on new Rival Sons material, and Great Western Valkyrie does not disappoint.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy on Amazon)


7. Virgil and the Accelerators: Army of Three

“Their modern take on the blues and classic rock motifs drives them to great heights. Heavy hitting guitars and squealing layers of sound are sure to please a diverse rock fan base.” – Don Tice           

(Buy on Amazon)


6. Philip Sayce: Influence

“It is easy to herd Sayce into the upper echelon of today’s blues guitarists. His vocal styling paired with his insatiable appetite on the guitar give him all the tools needed for success, with one x factor, unadulterated raw talent.” – Don Tice

(Buy on Amazon)


5. Thorbjørn Risager and the Black Tornado: Too Many Roads

“Make no mistake about it, Thorbjørn Risager is a man, his voice is thick and gnarly, like a Danish Billy Gibbons with a wider range. It’s always inspiring to hear a band that plays tribute to the greats, without directly ripping them off, taking it in their own direction.” – Tripp Shumake

(Buy on Amazon)


4. Bernie Marsden: Shine

Shine is by far Bernie’s best work to date. Filled with some great guest spots, some interesting covers, and a great collection of tracks this is one that you will play from end to end.” – Kevin O’Rourke

(Buy on Amazon)


3. Devon Allman: Ragged & Dirty

On Ragged & Dirty, Allman proves to be one of the most talented artists on the blues rock scene today and turns in one of the year’s best albums. – Pete Francis

(Buy on Amazon)


2. Joe Bonamassa: Different Shades of Blue

“Joe succeeds in composing yet another kickass compilation set to drive the crowd wild. His arsenal is ever growing, and it’s inspiring to see him set his eyes on a new challenge, and better yet, see it shine.” – Don Tice

(Buy on Amazon)


1. Dan Patlansky: Dear Silence Thieves

“After over a decade of making albums for us, Dan’s seventh album continues to deliver the goods that have made him the premier blues rock guitar player in South Africa, if not one of the top in the world.” – Kevin O’Rourke

(Buy on Amazon)

Previous Top 20 Lists: 20132012, 2011

Pete Francis

Pete Francis is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Blues Rock Review. Pete founded Blues Rock Review in 2010 because he felt there was a major void in how the blues rock genre was covered. Pete is the host of Blues Rock Weekly and a co-host on the Blues Rock Show.

35 thoughts on “Top 20 Albums of 2014

  • excited about Ty Curtis being in the top twenty…we are so proud,of him and he is a true artist and loves his craft..keep up the great work Ty. we are always rooting for,you…keep up the blues

    Reply
    • TY CURTIS ROCKS!!!!! He will always be #1 in my book!!!

      Reply
  • Dan Patlansky is very gifted, and certainly passionate about his music. He covers a vast spectrum of the amazing rock/blues genre, with beautiful, mind-blowing guitar skills. His live performances are mind-blowing. Congratulations to Dan on this great achievement in achieving the top honour!!

    Reply
    • You are making all SA musicians sooooo proud.

      Reply
  • Sean Costello: In The Magic Shop gets my vote (released Oct 21). 🙂

    Reply
  • So proud that Count’s 77 made the top 20 list, Barry Barnes, Paul DiSibio, John Zito, Stoney Curtis, Tommy Paris and Danny Koker have all worked hard at their craft for many years and deserve to be in the top 20 along with all the other very talented musicians who made the list!

    Reply
  • Ouch!
    No Mud Morganfield w/Kim Wilson “Tribute to Pops?”

    Reply
  • Oops. Never mind. Tribute to Pops is actual BLUES. Not “blues-rock.” My mistake.

    Reply
  • Great list… THORBJORN RISAGER AND THE BLACK TORNADO rock! I think they’ll be in just about the same spot (numerically) on the WMHB Top 100 for the year. One month to go! ALBERT CASTIGLIA, TINSLEY ELLIS and SAMANTHA FISH will be up there, too. Blues rock is where it’s at!

    Reply
  • So proud of Dan – his hard work and dedication to his art is finally paying off – watch out world you gonna hear a lot more from this man… the best is yet to come. Well done bud!!!

    Reply
  • My son-in-law plays piano with THORBJØRN RIISAGER. They also perform together the two of them. Dig it, we are proud in the family! The Danish Joe Cocker and his efficient playmate.

    Reply
  • Pingback: #5 on the BluesRockReview top 20! | Thorbjørn Risager

  • Dan, as your “uncle in law”, what can I say? This is absolutely magnificent, and well-earned recognition on international level. We are all so immensely proud of you.

    Reply
  • A magnificent achievement, a rare combination of raw creative talent, musicality, focus, dedication, communicative genius and hard work combined with humility, a sense of humour and a great team and friends and family squarely behind him. Well done Dan, greatly deserved.

    Chris and Ann Nel, Pretoria
    5 December 2014

    Reply
  • now black top deluxe turn up be nice play hard just what it says on the cd

    Reply
  • Pingback: Count’s 77: Danny “The Count” Koker Interview | New Music Today

    • wo aus po: Das stimmt natürlich. Der Blick ist auch am Abend nicht schlecht… LG von po zurück…! @DeserTStorM: Nur zu… ich bin ge@p0nnt&#823a;sNila: Hat Spaß gemacht und deine Blogger-Fenster-Idee mit anschließendem YouTube-Video finde ich super!@Mevenue: Willkommen bei rundumiel.de! Die Pflege des Gartens erfolgt fast ausschließlich durch Frau gzi-notiert… und das macht sie echt klasse, finde ich…

      Reply
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    • З‘Â´Ã‘€Ð°Ã²ствÃÃйте, верстка блога почему то разъезжается в файрфоксе, при этом в опере и в осле вроде все норм. Мб можно подправить? Думаю немало народу на ФФ сидит…

      Reply
    • Hajrá Livi!!!!Szorítok én is!!!De akkor csak tanulj és légy ügyeske!Mikor lesz egyébként vége a sulinak?Értem,hogy most végzel,vayg még van éved hátra?Puszi!!Ildi

      Reply
    • A suitable mask for a reactionary? How about a black domino and a tricorne. There is probably still a little shop somewhere in Venice that sells such things for use during Carnival.

      Reply
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