Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This week I’ll be going over some of the best of 2012 along with the “Live CD of the Year”, “Guitar CD of the Year”, ”New Artists of the Year”, ”Blues/Rock CD of the Year”, “Blues CD of the Year”, “Song of the Year”, and over all “CD of the Year”. There really is a lot of great music on this weeks show. In January we’ll be back to the interview show.
CD of the Year – Anthony Gomes – Up To Zero
Whether it’s blues-rock, blues, gospel or a beautiful song in *French, Canadian Anthony Gomes can write, sing and play it all like it’s a hit. There are good hard pounding blues-rock songs like “Back To The Start” and “Up To Zero” but Anthony can also do a gospel-blues song about all the passing blues artists. “Voodoo Moon” has a cool Louisiana swamp sound while “Darkest Before The Dawn” is a tender slow blues song.
At times you will hear hints of Hendrix, Beck, or Albert King in his playing other times maybe even more unique hints of Rod Stewart in his voice. Anyone that makes a CD that can remind you of those artists and make every song sound like it should be a hit has a hit Up To Zero.
* Only one song is in French
Anthony Gomes Website
Buy Anthony Gomes’ CD Up 2 Zero from Amazon.Com 
Song of the Year – Leo Hull & The Texas Blues Machine “Bootleggin’ The Blues”
While the whole CD is very good, the song “Bootleggin’ The Blues” stands out as the best song of the year. Besides music that draws you in right away Leo has lyrics that tells the story of all blues artists and fans. Leo Hull & The Texas Blues Machine mix blues, rock and country and western for a very memorable CD and a great song “Bootleggin’ The Blues”. To quote Leo Hull’s song, “I grew up in a juke joint, stayed up all night long, playing all those old Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters songs and I did not get much sleep at night. I just sat there amused wondering how come those boys have been gone so long and we’re bootleggin’ their blues. ”
Leo Hull Website
Buy Leo Hull & The Texas Blues Machine’s CD Bootleggin’ The Blues from Amazon.Com
Blues CD of the Year – Linsey Alexander – Been There Done That
This is Linsey Alexander’s first international release thanks to Delmark Records. It’s all pure blues of the finest quality. Linsey has a powerful voice with good original songs and his guitar playing is always from the heart. Billy Branch plays great harmonica on three tracks. “Going Up There On The Roof”, “Been There Done That”, and “Saving Robert Johnson” deserve to be songs every blues fan gets to know. This CD is just as good as many of the classic blues CD’s of the past. Linsey Alexander’s Been There Done That should be remembered as more than just “Blues CD of the Year”.
Linsey Alexander’s Website
Buy Linsey Alexander’s CD Been There Done That from Amazon.Com 
Blues/Rock CD of the Year – Dave Fields – Detonation
Great burning blues guitars with just the right hint of Jimi Hendrix in some of the songs. Songs like “Addicted to Fire”, “Pocket Full Of Dust”, “The Altar”, “In The Night”, and “Doing Hard Time” all should be getting a lot of airplay. The sounds and moods Dave creates in his songs like “Prophet In Disguise” really shows his skill as not just a great guitarist but a accomplish song writer. This is one of those CD’s that you keep playing over and over again because you just can’t get enough of it. Keep your eyes and ears open for Dave Fields’ Detonation, this man is going somewhere.
Dave Fields’ Website
Buy Dave Fields’ CD Detonation from Amazon.Com 
Guitar CD of the Year, New Artists of the Year – Roy Trevino – Roy Trevino
On Roy Trevino’s first CD he shows off his guitar skills. This South Texas blues-rock guitarist plays beautiful Spanish-blues-rock somewhat like Carlos Santana. There’s also a funky version of a Bob Marley song along with some touching acoustical songs. Besides Roy’s ability to play guitar in a way that always has you craving more he writes good songs and has a tight band. Every time I hear Roy Trevino do a guitar solo I’m impressed with the heart and soul he is able to convey through his music. Words can not describe how awesome Roy Trevino’s CD is.
Roy Trevino’s Website
Buy Roy Trevino’s CD at Amazon.Com
Live CD of the Year – Sugar Blue – Raw Sugar Blue Live
Normally I’d not give an award for a live recording but this double live CD Raw Sugar Blue Live is an exception. Whether it’s a five, ten or fifteen minute song Sugar Blue and his band keeps you interested in the music all the way through. A lot of people know Sugar Blue as the man who played harmonica on the Rolling Stones big hit “Miss You” but what he and his band do on “Raw Sugar Blue Live” is just as impressive.
Sugar Blue Website
Buy Raw Sugar Blue Live from Amazon.Com 
