Top 20 Albums of 2023

December 11, 2023December 15, 2023 BRR Staff

2023 was absolutely loaded with an abundance of high quality blues rock albums. Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2023 was compiled with the fans/readers counting for 50% of the vote and the Blues Rock Review staff, who reviewed the music during the year, counting for the other 50%.

Here are Blues Rock Review’s Top 20 Albums of 2023.

20. Parker Barrow: Jukebox Gypsies

“The 10-track album alternates between sounding impulsive and reflective, a fitting vibe for this sunny time of year. Jukebox Gypsies is paced well as it glides through these shifts, making it fun to revisit or listen to on repeat. With Jukebox Gypsies, Parker Barrow puts forth an enjoyable and memorable debut.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy: Amazon)

19. Foghat: Sonic Mojo

“The album is a welcome addition to the Foghat catalogue with excellent songwriting and cover song choices. Roger Earl is the band’s driving force along with Rodney O’Quinn’s bass. Scott Holt’s powerful lead vocals and stellar guitar work is complemented by Bryan Bassett’s amazing slide guitar, production and engineering skills.” – Bob Gersztyn

(Buy: Amazon)

18. Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos: Cheat The Devil

“Cheat the Devil is full of sass, funk, and high voltage guitar. You’ll be possessed to dance, shred your air guitar, wince, and nod all at the same time. Stay away from mirrors and mobile devices. You’ve been ROO’d!” – Allan Claudio

(Buy: Amazon)

17. Ally Venable: Real Gone

“The album is an impressive display of undeniable talent as a formidable blues rocker strut’s her stuff. Her guitar work is impressive as she covers a variety of styles to effectively deliver every cut with its own unique sound. If that weren’t enough her muscular vocals are powerful enough to articulately deliver the heart rending lyrics on an emotionally contagious level. All in all it’s a powerful album with twelve excellent songs.” – Bob Gersztyn

(Buy: Amazon)

16. Savoy Brown: Blues All Around

“Savoy Brown under the leadership of Kim Simmonds has helped to keep the blues alive for nearly six decades and has now joined his predecessors in “Beulah Land.” Blues All Around was Kim Simmonds’ final contribution to the blues and Savoy Brown’s 42nd album which completes its legacy.” – Bob Gersztyn

(Buy: Amazon)

15. Dom Martin: Buried in the Hail

“Hailed (no pun intended) as the heir to Rory Gallagher’s throne, the Belfast bluesman has his own unique guitar style and voice that chisels away at the Americana, blues, and roots genres. Intense from start to finish, with plenty of charm and craft, this is an LP worth digging up if you want to hear the blues in a different guise.” – Breton Towler

(Buy: Amazon)

14. Paul Rodgers: Midnight Rose

“Midnight Rose is a totally satisfying set of eight rocking songs that demonstrate why Paul Rodgers is considered one of the best singer/songwriter/frontmen of the rock & roll genre.” – Bob Gersztyn

(Buy: Amazon)

13. Bernie Marsden: Working Man

“Working Man is proof that Marsden had a lot left to say at the end of his life-spanning career. The music is fun to listen to—at times it’s upbeat and reminiscent of Marsden’s hitmaking days with Whitesnake, and in other moments it’s gentle and thought-provoking. Working Man arrives as a pretty fantastic collection of new material—and a great final gift for Marsden fans who miss him.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy: Amazon)

12. Robert Finley: Black Bayou

“Black Bayou brings to the surface the elements of Finley’s time in Louisiana that most impacted him as an artist. The album is a humble exploration of the swampy sounds and rhythm & blues storylines that Finley has been immersed in for decades, with these elements shining all the brighter for Finley’s spotlight.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy: Amazon)

11. The Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds

“Hackney Diamonds encompasses elements of rock, blues and pop in a way that pays tribute both to where the Stones came from and how far they’ve traveled. It’s a strong showing from a band that has showed, decade after decade, that they wouldn’t rather be doing anything else.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy: Amazon)

10. Duane Betts: Wild and Precious Life

“Betts is a strong songwriter and an excellent guitarist to boot. Wild and Precious Life is highly recommended for any fan of southern rock. The album features shades of blues, country, and folk, and takes the listener on a journey from start to finish.” – Pete Francis

(Buy: Amazon)

9. Kenny Wayne Shepherd: Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1

“Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1 is punchy, fun blues rock. Shepherd intentionally did not want to make the album dark saying, “There’s not a lot of incredibly heart-wrenching or difficult subject matter…My goal is always to make music that makes people feel good, regardless of what it’s about.” Mission accomplished. Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1 is stellar from start to finish and maintains Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s place among the top blues rock acts in the world.” – Pete Francis

(Buy: Amazon)

8. Gov’t Mule: Peace… Like a River

“Notably, despite the predominating longer-than-usual song length, the album never gets lost in pointless pyrotechnics or overstays its welcome. The instrumental excursions are tightly-focused and serve the songs, covering everything from psychedelia and riff-driven blues rock to funk and soul with concise finesse. Boasting sharp songwriting, tight arrangements, and stellar musicianship, Peace…Like A River is excellent and ranks among Gov’t Mule’s best works. Highly recommended.” – Fidel Beserra

(Buy: Amazon)

7. Ghost Hounds: First Last Time

“First Last Time is an album without flaws. You can literally set it on repeat and take joy in whatever activity you are doing at the time. The tracks both flow together and stand on their own. It is an exceptionally good album that is going to set the bar high for these Ghost Hounds.” – Allan Claudio

(Buy: Amazon)

6. Rival Sons: Darkfighter

“The album, Rival Sons’ seventh full-length, is moody and guttural, packed to the brim with punishing riffs and heavy rhythms. Darkfighter depicts a band on a journey, trying to make sense of a world driven into chaos.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy: Amazon)

5. When Rivers Meet: Aces Are High

“When Rivers Meet is the bluesy Americana sound of husband-and-wife duo Aaron and Grace Bond, but their latest work sees them plunge into the dusky, grittier, and harder edge of the reef. When Rivers Meet had an ace up their sleeve all along. No need to shuffle — this is living proof the Bonds can break through any dam and rock as hard as the rest of the pack.” – Breton Towler

(Buy: Amazon)

4. Joe Bonamassa: Blues Deluxe Vol. 2

“Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 shows Bonamassa celebrating the artists who inspired his own career and doing one of the things he enjoys most in putting his spin on their classics. It’s a fun ride, and it begs the question of whether fans will have to wait another 20 years before hearing Bonamassa’s next Blues Deluxe installment.” – Meghan Roos

(Buy: Amazon)

3. Robert Jon and the Wreck: Ride Into the Light

“Robert Jon and the Wreck continue to turn out memorable music with Ride Into The Light. The band certainly was surrounded with an all-star production team on this set of tracks with Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Dave Cobb, and Don Was. There isn’t a bad track in the set. Ride Into The Light should continue Robert Jon and the Wreck’s wave of success, so hop in and don’t let up, this ride isn’t ending anytime soon.” – Pete Francis

(Buy: Amazon)

2. Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton: Death Wish Blues

“When Fish and Dayton recorded Death Wish Blues it was to make the blues accessible to new audiences. The combination of influences from Punk and Americana to Country that are present in the album are intended to communicate to people through the stories that the songs tell. The album fulfills its goal and exudes a joyous feeling that is intended to connect with the listener on an emotional level parallel to their primal nature.” – Bob Gersztyn

(Buy: Amazon)

1. Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia: Blood Brothers

“Not only have Zito and Castiglia teamed up, they’ve also enlisted the services of Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith to produce the album forming a blues rock all-star team. Blood Brothers was listed an one of Blues Rock Review’s most anticipated albums of 2023 and lives up to that promise. The friendship between Zito and Castiglia shows as the chemistry between the two is dynamic. From start to finish, Blood Brothers might just be their best work to date.” – Pete Francis

(Buy: Amazon)

Previous Top 20 Lists: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
*Editor’s note: Live albums and EPs are not included in the Top 20*

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