Top 20 Albums of 2020
2020 has been a challenging year but one filled with exciting new releases in blues rock. 2020 is also a milestone with it being the 10th year of Blues Rock Review’s annual Top 20 list. A record number of fans cast their vote along with our staff in an ultra-competitive year. The list was compiled with the fans counting for 50% of the vote and the staff of Blues Rock Review counting for the other 50%.
Here are Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2020.
20. Jeremiah Johnson: Heavens To Betsy
“A tasty dish of an album. It’s not complicated and on paper it might seem too simple, but it’s a hard recipe to replicate. A great voice, strong songs, and a talented horn section make for a blues album that’s high-energy fun. And it’s not something every artist can do as well as Johnson has done on Heavens to Betsy.” – Steven Ovadia
19. Tinsley Ellis: Ice Cream In Hell
“If you’re a blues rock fan and aren’t familiar with Ellis’ work, this is a great place to check in. Ice Cream in Hell is blues rock from a master at the height of his power, vocally and instrumentally. Ellis showcases monster tone, vibrato that feels like an earthquake, and all-around tasteful playing. He is always the right answer.” – Steven Ovadia
18. Savoy Brown: Ain’t Done Yet
“The album has the relaxed energy of a band that knows what to do and isn’t trying to prove anything. Simmonds is still a strong performer and songwriter. Savoy Brown has been around for so long because Simmonds understands his audience, but also the blues. People return for quality.” – Steven Ovadia
17. Alastair Greene: The New World Blues
“The New World Blues digs deeper into Greene’s repertoire, which uncoincidentally digs deeper into the blues aspects of his style. With Tab Benoit’s help, the taut trio rely on their music and their artistry to create a set that offers an exceptionally transparent group of tracks, devoid of the usual studio album accoutrements.” – Willie Witten
16. Artur Menezes: Fading Away
“Fading Away is the album that puts Artur’s stamp on blues rock music. It’s a mature and balanced album, always keeping the guitars in the spotlight, something he did in previous albums, too, but this time he explored new resources and approaches, as well as guitar tones, which are extremely awesome.” – Marcel Innocentini
15. Shemekia Copeland: Uncivil War
“Shemekia Copeland continues to explore Americana through a strong blues influence on Uncivil War, a charmingly rootsy and rocking album of tasty guitar, bold lyrics, and, of course, Copeland’s powerhouse voice, which drives the entire album.” – Steven Ovadia
14. Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown: Pressure
“Pressure is the fourth full-length album by Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, and since its release on October 16th, has been acclaimed on social media as the greatest album of the band. And I think they are quite right. Pressure is an album that lifts blues rock in its essence, with melodic vocals, powerful guitar riffs, firm drum beats, and cohesive bass lines.” – Marcel Innocentini
13. Dion: Blues With Friends
“A collaboration with a ton of blues and blues rock stars. Bruce Springsteen plays guitar behind Dion and Springsteen’s wife, Patti Scialfa, on “Hymn to Him,” from Dion’s 1987 gospel album. He’s joined on other tracks by Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Samantha Fish, and Billy Gibbons. It’s an eclectic group but the parade of different guests keeps the album interesting. The underlying album concept is a bit of a gimmick, but Dion makes it a high-quality, enjoyable one.” – Steven Ovadia
12. Marcus King: El Dorado
“El Dorado is straight-forward soul, although there are some rock moments sprinkled throughout the record (“Turn It Up” rocks especially hard), but the pleasure of the album is that while King and Auerbach are fairly rooted in the album’s chosen genre, there are enough pleasant surprises, like strings and up-front guitars, to make the album feel new and contemporary. This is a Marcus King album but it’s very much a collaboration, with Auerbach and King bringing out the best in each other.” – Steven Ovadia
11. Fantastic Negrito: Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?
“It’s a magnificent album that really deserves all the nominations. His music still remains unique, without brands, or, in his words… “the show can be described as ‘church without the religion’ and crosses genre boundaries with no passport needed.” – Marcel Innocentini
10. Robert Jon and the Wreck: Last Light On The Highway
“Robert Jon and the Wreck delivers its best album to date with Last Light on the Highway. Considering the strength of the band’s catalog that’s saying something. Last Light on the Highway is filled with memorable hooks and will be in the conversation for year end awards. It’s a highly recommended album from start to finish.” – Pete Francis
9. When Rivers Meet: We Fly Free
“We Fly Free is the debut album released in November of this year by a British husband and wife guitar slinging duo that will blow your socks off. Aaron and Grace Bond front a quartet with Grace playing slide mandolin ala Hendrix style as Aaron drones like Duane Eddy on his guitar. Grace’s dark husky voice soars between driving guitar riffs and slide mandolin solo’s on the twelve tracks.” – Bob Gersztyn
8. Larkin Poe: Self Made Man
“You hear something new and cool every time you play Self Made Man. It’s truly impressive how Larkin Poe achieves this while also creating an album that sounds natural. They’re not throwing tricks and licks at the listener; they’re building tricks and licks into sturdy, captivating songs. Larkin Poe make it sound easy as easy as bringing your hands together, but really it’s as hard as clapping with one hand.” – Steven Ovadia
7. King King: Maverick
“From start to finish, Maverick is blues rock at its best. One thing that separates Alan Nimmo and King King from many blues rock acts is Nimmo’s ability to write hooks. Nimmo is a hook machine writing hook after hook. He hits the guitar solo when needed but doesn’t make it overpower or take over the song. This is evident throughout the songwriting on Maverick. The album is chock-full of catchy and memorable tunes that stand up with King King’s best work.” – Pete Francis
6. Mike Zito: Quarantine Blues
“The quick-fire nature of the album results in a different Zito energy that rocks with an uncharacteristic, and straight-up fun, abandon. The thing that grabs you about Quarantine Blues is its immediacy. It doesn’t feel unfinished, but it’s not particularly polished. It has a wonderful live feeling. Quarantine Blues is great company and worth paying for.” – Steven Ovadia
5. Anthony Gomes: Containment Blues
“Containment Blues is another winner from Anthony Gomes with no weak tracks in the bunch. While some artists are delaying releasing albums during the pandemic, Gomes was able to turn the situation into a positive as it inspired some truly great songs. Gomes challenged himself with Containment Blues and it pays off as one of the better albums of 2020.” – Pete Francis
4. Philip Sayce: Spirit Rising
“Sayce has overcome many challenges and obstacles in recent years, which has inspired Spirit Rising. Well worth the wait, Spirit Rising is right up there with Sayce’s best work featuring blistering guitar and great songs from start to finish.” – Pete Francis
3. Walter Trout: Ordinary Madness
The album is consistently great cover to cover. For an album that broaches some deeply personal subjects, Ordinary Madness succeeds in being universally relatable, not to mention extremely enjoyable. It is one of Trout’s best entries in his extensive catalog.” – Willie Witten
2. The Allman Betts Band: Bless Your Heart
“On Bless Your Heart, The Allman Betts Band continues to do what they do best, deliver good ole’ fashioned blues-tinged southern rock. The 13 tracks take the listener on a ride and are filled with an abundance of textures.” – Pete Francis
1. Joe Bonamassa: Royal Tea
From the album’s title to the choice of Abbey Road Studios as the recording locale, Joe Bonamassa makes every effort to channel the aura of the great British Blues explosion on his latest LP, Royal Tea. When set against basic nostalgia, original songs and artistic nuance usually win the day as they do here. The willingness to reconceive this era rather than just revisit it makes Royal Tea a great album and an intriguing listen.” – Willie Witten
Previous Top 20 Lists: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
*Editor’s note: Live albums and EPs are not included in the Top 20*
So damn happy for Joe Bonamassa earring his top award, he has forged blues forward more than any other artist. Keeping the blues alive, excelling in his live concerts, this man is a blues legend of our current time frame in music. Creative, awe inspiring fret work, excellence in all he does. This album just shouts out to be listened to over and over, yet doesn’t get old. I’ve followed Joe for all his career. None better in my honest opinion, at 67 , he’s got me playing guitar again, and enjoying the blues every day…thank you for honoring him with #1…well deserved, and earned thru many years of guitar mastery.
I’m thrilled for Joe. He did it “HIS WAY” and all doubted him and he ROCKS. You seldom hear him on mainstream radio – and they missed a LOT and listeners should have had access to Joe for years.
BRAVO Joe. Congratulations.
Another great year in blues rock despite of the trying conditions that 2020 brought us. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to 9 of these albums on the list and all 9 were winners. The top 2 no doubt had some of the best musicianship across any genre. Personally, I voted for Bless Your Heart, but I’m really loving Royal Tea more and more. Both of these albums really showed the blues influence on rock and it was interesting we had a southern rock and a retro early 70’s Brit rock/blues. I also enjoyed Eric Steckel’s Grandview Drive very much and constantly played it alongside Phillip Sayce’s and Tinsey Ellis’s works (all guitar master pieces). Thanks again to the BRR staff for this site and the fans keeping blues rock relevant.
A great choice for top album of 2020! JB’s Royal Tea has been tops in my playlist since it was released and may be his best work since (in my opinion) Driving Towards the Daylight.
Must say though, I was disappointed that Eric Steckel’s Grandview Drive did not make the top 20 as it was my vote for #1 🙁
Loving your magazine and I very much look forward to the BRR top 20 every year as it has literally been a source for many new artists I have adopted 🙂
So fantastic to see When Rivers Meet in the Top 10 with their very first album. With their unique and distinctive sound, the chemistry between Grace and Aaron these guys are going to be really big, and will be very well deserved
All in all a very good Ranking. Its difficult to choose among a flood of excellent music. For me overrated King King, Maverick. By far the worst of their cds.
Where is richie kotzen 50/50, Henrik Freischlader: missing pieces, Ben granfelt: true colours, muddy manninen: River flows, Tony Spinner: Love is the answer, Voodoo room: tension City Blues and Dennis Jones: soft hard and loud!
Greetings from Switzerland.
You dont just listen to Joe Bonamassa you experience Joe’s music.
Lots of great music here. Can’t argue with Joe at #1. Gotta say though, I’m disappointed to see Kirk Fletcher’s My Blues Pathway absent from the list. Incredible blues album from one of the best in the biz.
Allman Betts Band. Awesome First 2 Albums
Good to see when rivers Meet gaining the success they richly deserve.Unusually for a debut album there are no weak tracks, no matter how many times you play it you never want to skip a track. Grace and Aaron Bond are going to be huge.
Congratulations Joe Bonamassa
And contributing British artists
Royal Tea offers incredible music
and songs, first class.
His guitar playing speaks to you
from Italy
For the first three places is my ranking !
I am 70 years old and I have loved this music since I was a boy !
Blues and rock will never die !
Joe Bonamassa again, oh s..t.
He’s so overrated.
Will check some of the albums of the list. One comment though. Since you have analytical reviews, possibly for all these albums, you should have a link on each one directing to the full review.
HOW did Thorbjorn Risager’s ‘Come On In’ not make this list?
(Blues DJ on Blues Music Fan Radio …. http://www.bluesmusicfan.com)
Joe B again…went to see at the Beacon Theater…on his tour…self indulgent…left before the encore…check out Alias Smith & Jones from NYC…new album is the real rock’ blues…
My number one is Carmen Gomes Inc. “Up Jumped The Devil, Discovering the Music of Robert Johnson”.
Superbly well recorded and as one of the reviews said; “What a trip. Finally a band that dares to make a concept album.
I am a big Robert Johnson fan and have all the covers of his songs made from the likes of Elmore James and Eric Clapton to the Rolling Stones and what have you, but Carmen Gomes Inc takes first place in my top 10, why? They have made the songs their own. In no way do they try to emulate Robert Johnson, instead they seem to have looked at each song and explored the song itself, so not Robert Johnson the artist but Robert Johnson the composer. So refreshing.”
Ana Popovic’s live album?
Pingback: Philip Sayce announces "The Wolves Are Coming" - Blues Rock Review
Pingback: Vote for the Top 20 Albums of 2023! - Blues Rock Review
Pingback: Top 20 Albums of 2023 - Blues Rock Review
Pingback: 10 Standout Blues Rock Collaborations of the 2020s - Blues Rock Review