BPR: Magness Still #1; Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Bettye LaVette Make Splash At Radio And Retail

Fun week this week on the Blues Power Rankings as my familiarity with the albums that have been dominating blues radio continues to grow. Of course that's about to break me but it has been worth it. Using this chart as a buyers' guide has led me to some seriously great records unlike, say, the Billboard 200.

First up we have Janiva Magness' record holding onto the #1 slot for a second week in a row. Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King had a great debut on the Billboard Blues chart and they've made a big splash at blues radio, pushing Peter Karp and Sue Foley to #3. Speaking of Karp and Foley, allow me to direct you to the interview I did with them after their performance in Nashville at Music City Roots. He Said She Said is a fantastic record, one you should learn more about. There's a great story to go along with those songs and hearing about it in their own words is only going to make you want to check it out all the more.

So last weekend I went to the greatest music store of all, Grimey's, and I picked up a copy of Anders Osbourne's American Patchwork. I intend to get a review of this written for the site but until I get to that point let me go again and send you all to buy it right now whether you're a blues fan or not. This is a special record.

I also picked up a copy of Bettye LaVette's Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook and was similarly awed. The title of this record is truth in advertising. LaVette has taken classic rock songs and re-interpreted them with her soulful voice. Dave Grohl has said of her performance of "Love Reign O'er Me" that it will bring you to tears. I didn't cry but I know why he might have and some of you might want to have some Kleenex nearby. It is unbelievably powerful and moving. LaVette's depth as a singer is impossible to quantify.  She debuts at #1 on Billboard Blues and as of this writing, Amazon is selling the album for $7.99.  Kids, jump all over that price and have you one of these!  Run, don't walk!  Elton John and Keith Richards both love what LaVette did with their songs.  This is something you owe it to yourself to hear.

Blues Power Rankings – Roots Music Report:

1. Janiva Magness- The Devil Is An Angel, Too
2. Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King – Have Blues, Will Travel
3. Peter Karp / Sue Foley – He Said She Said
4. Moreland & Arbuckle – Flood
5. Anders Osborne – American Patchwork
6. Magic Slim & The Teardrops – Raising The Bar
7. Mississippi Heat – Let's Live It Up
8. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
9. Popa Chubby – The Fight Is On
10. Cyril Neville – The Essential Cyril Neville
11. Hill Country Revue – Make A Move
12. John Nemeth – Name The Day!
13. Karen Lovely – Still The Rain
14. Guitar Shorty – Bare Knuckle
15. Nick Moss – Privileged
16. Jonny Lang – Live At The Ryman
17. Bettye Lavette – Interpretations – The British Rock Songbook
18. Clothesline Revival – They Came From Somewhere
19. Rick Taylor – Lucky Room
20. Peter Parcek – The Mathematics Of Love
21. The Kilborn Alley Blues Band – Better Off Now
22. Les Sampou – Lonesomeville
23. Dave Weld And The Imperial Flames – Burnin' Love
24. Mark Hummel – Retro-Active
25. Tad Robinson – Back In Style

Billboard Blues Top 10 Albums

1. Bettye LaVette – Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook
2. The Rev. Peyton's Big Dam Band – The Wages
3. Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King – Have Blues, Will Travel
4. Jonny Lang – Live At The Ryman
5. Joe Bonamassa – Black Rock
6. John Nemeth – Name The Day!
7. Moreland & Arbuckle – Flood
8. Various Artists – Cadillac Records Soundtrack
9. Bill Kirchen – Word To The Rise
10. Johnny Winter – Live At The Fillmore East