2017 turned out to be one of the best years in recent memory in regard to new blues recordings. The retail infrastructure of the record business is just a bombed-out shell, but the blues musicians across the globe walked right through the rubble, as if through their sheer will and determination they could be the vanguards in a more soulful world.

These blues artists produced one great blues recording after another in the old fashioned physical format of that tried and true medium, the Compact Disc. Many made their recordings available on vinyl as well.

To many this might seem like a desperate protest in the face of a mounting movement to marginalize these artists and put these talented people out of business. What was once, not very long ago, a thriving commodity is now given away for free, stolen or just plain ignored altogether.

Yet, in 2017 musicians rose up as if to say, ‘Not on my watch.’  It was young, and maybe some not so young, musicians from all over the globe who led this charge. They were met by a cadre of Americans who weren’t quite ready to abdicate their power to move us with their music. Veteran blues men now all in their 60’s shot back with great albums which were released last year. Rick Estrin, Kim Wilson and Jimmie Vaughan for instance all made terrific new CDs in 2017.

Celebrating this, the quintessential American music we dedicate this our annual “Best of…” edition of BLUES JUNCTION to the musicians. Three features are presented here for your consideration and enjoyment.

First off is one of my annual favorites. We call it Dave’s Top Ten List of Top Ten Lists. It is here that we have gathered ten individuals who represent various facets of the blues business. They provided us with their ten favorite albums of the year.

At the end of this feature, check out the consensus where each album which appeared on more than one list appears with the number of lists in which it appears.

I would like to welcome two newcomers to this elite group. They are from Dallas, Sonny Boy Mark, and from Chicago, Kevin Johnson.

From three continents and from coast to coast here in America, these seemingly disparate individuals all share a deep love and passion for this music that is unwavering. They take this task each year very seriously, as they put their reputations on the line. We do not have any secret ballots or secret nominators around here. This isn’t a popularity contest either. Regional bias and politics are for others and not welcome here. We celebrate excellence…period.

Our second feature is our Top Forty Albums of the Year.

Each one of these 40 albums have been enjoyed over and over again out here at the JUNCTION. Most were procured through Bluebeat Music, others purchased from the artists themselves. Some were provided to us as “promos” in the hopes of receiving a review in BLUES JUNCTON and making it on to our Top Forty Albums of 2017 list.

For the hundreds of artists who were thoughtful enough to send us your music in 2017 and didn’t make it into the JUNCTION, we thank you. Remember yours is a noble calling. Keep after it. Listen to the music you see on this list. These are very serious musicians who have a deep understanding, as well as a soulful connection to this music which comes from a lifetime of study, practice and wood shedding. They didn’t make it onto this list by accident. Congratulations to the Top Forty.

Finally, the BLUES JUNCTION Productions Awards are presented here in January. This is our way of recognizing the outstanding recordings of 2017. Congratulations to the winners!

Next month we will return to our usual format with a whole new batch of essays, reviews, editorials and interviews. Thanks again to all of our readers. We hope that the new year brings happiness and joy to you and your families.

Be well and be in touch.

- David Mac