2022 brought so many outstanding blues, rock and roots albums. It wasn’t easy to narrow them down to twenty five choices. The Top 25 Albums of 2022 is in alphabetical order. This is not a list of one to twenty-five. All of them are outstanding and deserve your attention.
These are our Top 25 Albums of 2022 as voted on by our readers, Rock & Blues Muse Group and editorial staff. Each record spoke to us in its own way and is worth checking out if you haven’t already. Odds are you’ve been spinning these records all year because Rock & Blues Muse readers are the coolest. Crank them up and throw a party!
We’d like to thank all who voted for Top 25 Albums of 2022. With a record-breaking number of votes, our faith in blues, rock and roots music is reaffirmed.
This list is alphabetized and in no way reflects one to twenty five.
Albert Castiglia, I Got Love
Blues Music Award-winning blues/rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Albert Castiglia released I Got Love on Mike Zito’s imprint, Gulf Coast Records. With 11 blistering blues-drenched tracks, it’s a powerful and personal statement from Castiglia about the past two years of his life during the pandemic. A thematic album, I Got Love follows his albums Wild and Free and Masterpiece. Miami-raised Castiglia backed the legendary Junior wells for years. Check it out.
Anthony Gomes, High Voltage Blues
Acclaimed blues/rock guitarist Anthony Gomes released his 13th album, High Voltage Blues featuring guests Billy Sheehan and Ray Luzier. Released on Rat Pak Records, Gomes re-recorded many of his fans’ favorites for the album as well as three fresh new songs. Produced by Peter Carson, Gomes and company create 12 tracks of high octane blues/rock plus three bonus tracks.
Bernard Allison, Highs & Lows
World class contemporary bluesman Bernard Allison reunites with Grammy-winning producer Jim Gaines for his new release, Highs & Lows, out on Ruf Records, featuring guests Bobby Rush and Colin James. Highs & Lows is a joyous blast of funky blues with Bernard Allison at his absolute best. A six-string guitar master, Allison’s vocals have never been better and the 11 songs are pure blues bliss. This might just be Allison’s best album yet.
Beth Hart, A Tribute To Led Zeppelin
Vocal powerhouse Beth Hart filters herself through the Led Zeppelin catalog and does it proud on her new record A Tribute To Led Zeppelin out on Provogue/Mascot Label Group. Hart has more than enough grit in her soul to tackle some of the most famous rock songs of all time and the album is a smashing success. Her take on “Black Dog” is dominant and exhilarating. This is much more than an album of covers; it’s a statement of power.
Buddy Guy, The Blues Don’t Lie
Blues legend Buddy Guy released The Blues Don’t Lie on RCA, produced by Grammy winner Tom Hambridge and featuring Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, James Taylor, Bobby Rush, and Jason Isbell. The eight-time Grammy Award winner’s new album is a follow up to his Grammy winning album, The Blues Is Alive And Well released in 2018. Guy is in fine form on this album and his guitar tone is gorgeous, the songs all meaningful winners. The release date of the album marks the 65th anniversary of Guy’s arrival to Chicago from Louisiana.
Charlie Musselwhite, Mississippi Son
Mississippi-born, Memphis-raised, Grammy Award-winning music legend Charlie Musselwhite released Mississippi Son on Alligator Records. The album celebrates Musselwhite’s physical return to the beloved state of his birth. Musselwhite is considered on the best blues harpists around, and his vocals are soulful and honest here. He doesn’t just sing and play the blues; he is, in every sense of the word, a bluesman. He speaks the honest truth in every song.
Edgar Winter, Brother Johnny
Edgar Winter released an all-star tribute to his late brother Johnny Winter, the legendary blues guitarist, on Quarto Valley Records. Brother Johnny guests include guests Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, John McFee, Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, David Grissom, Taylor Hawkins, Warren Haynes, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, Keb’ Mo’, Doug Rappoport, Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Derek Trucks, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Walsh, Phil X and Gregg Bissonette. It’s a powerful sonic journey through Johnny’s musical life. A blast of greatness.
Elles Bailey, Shining In The Half Light
Sublime and multi award-winning British singer-songwriter Elles Bailey continues her rapid ascent to greatness on her new album Shining In The Half Light. Out on Outlaw Music, the ten songs presented here are full of strength, swagger, and a fully-formed creative identity. With a rich, soulful voice, Bailey will have you wishing for more. Shifting easily from Americana, blues to jazz, she is the real deal.
Eric Gales, Crown
Crown is a compelling album of blues, rock, soul and funk with Gales’ masterful guitar, warm vocals and gutsy emotional songs. Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the album features guests Tom Hambridge, James House, Keb’ Mo’, LaDonna Gales and more. Out on Provogue/Mascot Label Group, the record is an exhilarating journey by the blues/rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Eric Gales makes his guitar cry, shout, yell with anger, sooth with love and joy. He channels all emotions through his instrument, as if his guitar is a direct line to his soul and spirit.
GA-20, Crackdown
Acclaimed blues, roots-rock, and country revival trio GA-20 released their third studio album Crackdown on Karma Chief Records/Colemine Records. In their new collection of songs, GA-20 channel a throwback blues sound with a fit for modern day ears — complete with gritty and melodic tunes. The band creates an unvarnished, ramshackle blues that is at once traditional with a modern spin.
Gov’t Mule, Heavy Load Blues
Gov’t Mule, a national treasure if there ever was one, deliver every bit of their considerable power on their new all-blues album Heavy Load Blues out on Fantasy Records. Led by Grammy winning vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Warren Haynes, he steers the Mule the soulful and artistic way he always has, which makes Heavy Load Blues a profound experience from start to finish.
Jeremiah Johnson, Hi-Fi Drive By
St. Louis-born roots rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jeremiah Johnson is among the hottest acts going right now and Hi-Fi Drive By is the reason why. Johnson is a special talent who has made the Billboard Blues Chart multiple times and is now at the top of his creative powers. Victor Wainwright and Brandon Santini guest on the record, released by Ruf Records. It finds Johnson in career-best form, delivering ten tight new songs that succeed musically, lyrically, and instrumentally. He co-produced these tracks with St. Louis legends Tom Maloney and Paul Niehaus IV. His best output yet.
Joanne Shaw Taylor, Nobody’s Fool
British blues rocker Joanne Shaw Taylor has become one of the most sought after guitarists in contemporary blues/rock. Her new album Nobody’s Fool is out on Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records and produced by Bonamassa and Josh Smith. It features her sultry, soulful voice and ripping guitar on songs that take you through the highs and lows of love, light and redemption. Guests include Carmen Vandenberg, Tina Guo, and Dave Stewart.
John Mayall, The Sun Is Shining Down
Blues legend John Mayall teams up with an all-star cast for his newest album, The Sun Is Shining Down, out via Forty Below Records, co-produced by Mayall and Grammy nominated producer, Eric Corne. This soulful, funky release is flush with brass, violins, harmonica, electric ukulele and the inimitable stamp of the Godfather of the British Blues himself. Having chosen stellar guitarists along with his longtime Chicago rhythm section, Mayall might have outdone himself with The Sun Is Shining Down. Guests include Mike Campbell, Marcus King, Buddy Miller, Scarlet Rivera, Melvin Taylor and Jake Shimabukuro.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Trouble Is…25
Five-time-Grammy-nominee and blues guitar star Kenny Wayne Shepherd reinterprets the album that made him a star with the release of Trouble Is…25 out on Provogue/Mascot Label Group. Shepherd completely re-recorded the set and added a new song with just about the same crew he used the first time and the cohesion and connection they share has only grown with the passage of time. Shepherd’s playing is more nuanced than ever and vocalist Noah Hunt doesn’t sound like he’s aged a day. Spin it and feel the last 25 years melt away.
Kirk Fletcher, Heartache By The Pound
Contemporary blues guitar hero Kirk Fletcher is regarded as one of the greatest players in the world. It’s not about speed or flashy fretwork for him—it’s about guitar mastery and deep rooted soulfulness. But his new album, Heartache By The Pound is not just about the blues, or guitar for that matter—it sparkles with compelling songs. Fletcher may be a bluesman, but he’s stretched into blues infused rock, gospel, funk and soul. Heartache By The Pound is out via Ogierea Records and songs were co-written by Fletcher and Richard Cousins and Dennis Walker.
Larkin Poe, Blood Harmony
The Grammy-nominated, roots-rocking Lovell sisters, better known as Larkin Poe, pay tribute to their Southern heritage on the recent Blood Harmony out on Tricki-Woo Records. The set deals with their reflections and stories of the South, kinship, and family relationships. Both Rebecca and Megan Lovell are outstanding multi-instrumentalists, singers and songwriters who use their skills to transport listeners to soulful, ominous places. These two don’t have a bad note in them and their albums just keep getting better.
Larry McCray, Blues Without You
Award-winning, real-deal blues man Larry McCray dropped the album of his career in 2022 with the release of Blues Without You out on Keeping The Blues Alive Records. His blazing guitar and baritone vocals give him a presence few can match. Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith produced the 12-track effort and Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Joanna Connor, and Reese Wynans appear as guests. Blues Without You represents a new chapter in McCray’s life, one that you need to hear.
Marcus King, Young Blood
Grammy nominated vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Marcus King cuts loose on his new album Young Blood with high-voltage blues rocking tracks and a serious nod to the best of 70s rock. Given that King’s stellar guitar playing was minimized on his last album, El Dorado, thankfully the virtuosic player is back and in fine form. King comes alive on this scorcher with fiery guitar, smoldering vocals and a new rock & roll swagger. Released by American Records/Republic Records and produced by Dan Auerbach, Young Blood is surely King’s best record to date.
Robin Trower, No More Worlds To Conquer
76-year-old Robin Trower proves that he’s still in full command of his powers on No More Worlds To Conquer out on Provogue/Mascot Label Group. He is still pushing his limits as a musician and can still extract meaning from the sound of a Stratocaster plugged into a Marshall amp. He also handled the bass parts himself. From his early days with Procol Harum until today, any new Trower release is worthy of celebration and this one is no exception.
Shemekia Copeland, Done Come Too Far
Shemekia Copeland comes off righteous, soulful, and wise on her new record Done Come Too Far. Copeland, a stellar vocalist and daughter of the late Texas blues legend Johnny Copeland, has been at the pinnacle of modern blues for a long time and this new release will keep her there. Out on Alligator Records, the songs address the current social climate from a Black woman and mother’s point of view. As always, her performances are transcendent and exactly what the blues world needs to remain relevant and alive.
The Black Keys, Dropout Boogie
Five-time Grammy winners The Black Keys continue to refine their profound chemistry into highly-listenable rock music on their latest album Dropout Boogie. Released on Nonsuch Records, the set is the duo’s eleventh studio effort and delivers the indie/blues/rock goods in a big way. It features principal members Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney working out together and with guest artists Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound), and Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon). The Keys produced the record themselves and the sessions happened at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound recording studio in Nashville.
Tinsley Ellis, Devil May Care
Blues guitar titan Tinsley Ellis continues to burn brightly on this year’s Devil May Care out on Alligator Records. The record grew out of his pandemic lockdown time, a period that allowed him to focus on growing as a songwriter. 200 new tunes later, Devil May Care further refines Ellis’ signature mix of Southern Rock and hard blues. He’s still evolving and putting it down with the fervor of a true believer. Ellis is a master of his art and this album belongs in your collection right next to all of his other ones. What are you waiting for?
Troy Redfern, The Wings Of Salvation
British slide guitar man, vocalist, and songwriter Troy Redfern approaches perfection on The Wings Of Salvation out on Red7 Records. He balances big-league guitar chops with mad songwriting skills to bring us an action-packed set of blues/rock that will blow out your windows. Redfern tracked it all live in the studio, too, which makes the set even more impressive and impactful. Redfern is among today’s best players and is blowing up more every day. Get the record and play it loud.
Walter Trout, Ride
Walter Trout is an actual living legend of the blues and his new album Ride is the product of the 70 extraordinary years he has spent in the guitar game. His new material speaks to his past and his present in an open, vulnerable way that’s truly meaningful. Trout’s guitar playing is mesmerizing and powerful, communicating his essence in deep, non-verbal ways. His vocals are better than ever—soulful and powerful. Listen and hear the sound of seven decades well-lived. Highly recommended.
How the heck can you leave out The Most Popular Blues Musicians In The Entire World, Joe Bonamassa?????
Robert,
Because he didn’t release an album in 2022.
Joe Bonamassa’s “Road to Redemption” was released in 2022. Great album.
But it was basically a digital EP, and most songs on it were previously released on “Redemption.”
Brian,
EPs are not included in our top 25 albums of 2022.
Brian,
Redemption was released in 2018.
He is all over Jimmy Hall’s ‘Ready Now’ on KTBA Records and also appears (more than once and overly extensively during interview segments) on Joanne Shaw Taylor’s live album for that label (of his).
John Nemeth had the best album
TTB’s album cycle “I Am The Moom”??
Lists a Led Zeppelin tribute album and leaves off I am the moon.