Best blues albums of 2009

What are the best blues albums of 2009? It's hard for me to say, really, I haven't heard too many of them. Still. The blues ain't dead, but it might be a little asleep: it seems like a very weak year. There are no great, standout albums from popular artists like in 2008, when two magnificent albums were released by legends, Buddy Guy and B.B. King. There are many not-so-well-known-here-in-Europe bands that are worth checking out, so I'm gonna point ya in the right direction.

The most interesting lists: blues and blues-rock by About.com, blues by NPR.org and custom, automatically generated chart by RYM.com.

When it comes to big names... Bob Dylan released bluesy "Together Through Life" and Eric Clapton with Steve Winwood released an archival live album recorded in 2007 at Madison Square Garden. Just because the boys are touring together again. Setlist is good, on the other hand, and so is the playing. But beware, it might get... lifeless... at times. It's Clapton, after all - a guitar player and singer as great as boring.

More views of mine? Bonamassa sucks and plays progressive shit rather than blues (but the guy is mighty, listen to his North Sea Jazz Fest performance). Derek Trucks is a virtuoso guitarist and his records are certainly very good, but they lack the groove. There ain't no swinging, no matter if it's a ballad or uptempo tune. Listen at your own risk ;)

I will make... 3 lists: of best archival records, blues and blues-rock albums. Promise. Not sooner than next month though. And I hope next year I will get enough jazz bebop albums to make another list ;) Cheers. Hope it helps.