Charlie Musselwhite, James Cotton Tops at Blues Radio

It’s a good time to be a veteran harp player recording for Alligator Records as the hottest two records at blues radio this past week come from Charlie Musselwhite and James Cotton, respectively.  Both discs are excellent and I’m not surprised to see them gaining traction with blues listeners.  I haven’t gotten to spend enough time with Cotton’s Giant yet but I dearly love what  Musselwhite did on The Well.

I expected Joe Louis Walker’s star-studded live album to make its mark higher and more quickly but it’s now in the Top 10 this week.  The ridiculous number of huge talents that make cameos on this record is, well, ridiculous.  We’re talking about Johnny Winter, Tommy Castro, Curtis Salgado, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Kenny Neal, Tab Benoit, and many, many more all jamming together and having a blast. Microwave Dave played three cuts from the album on WLRH this past week during his weekly hour-long blues program. 

Part of the reason I write this column each week is to throw spotlight on some great artists and records and guide you to them.  That also applies to me, and this week I picked up a record from an artist I only came to know after seeing their newest record showing up on the charts week after week.  JJ Grey & Mofro have been in the mid-to-upper reaches of the Blues Power Rankings for weeks on the strength of their Georgia Warhorse record and now that I’ve had a chance to listen a couple times, I understand why.  I like it.  I’m still learning it but I like most of what I’ve heard.

Here are the hottest records and artists at blues radio for the past week according to Roots Music Report:

1. Charlie Musselwhite – The Well
2. James Cotton – Giant
3. Robin Rogers – Back In The Fire
4. The Robert Cray Band – Cookin’ In Mobile
5. Kenny Neal – Hooked On Your Love
6. Elvin Bishop – Red Dog Speaks
7. Davis Coen – Jukebox Classic
8. Albert Castiglia – Keepin On
9. Joe Louis Walker – Blues Conspiracy: Live On The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
10. Eric Clapton – Clapton
11. Mitch Kashmar & The Pontiax – 100 Miles To Go
12. Jimmie Vaughan – Plays Blues Ballads & Favorites
13. Steve Miller Band – Bingo!
14. Walter Trout – Common Ground
15. JJ Grey & Mofro – Georgia Warhorse
16. JP Blues – I Will Not Go Quietly
17. Tony Joe White – That On The Road Look – Live
18. Lucky Peterson – You Can Always Turn Around
19. The Derek Trucks Band – Roadsongs
20. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters – Spread The Love
21. Bob Corritore & Friends – Harmonica Blues
22. Duke Robillard – Passport To The Blues
23. Dave Specter – Spectified
24. Jay Gaunt – Harmonicopia
25. Peter Karp / Sue Foley – He Said She Said
26. JW-Jones – Midnight Memphis Sun
27. Chrissie O’Dell – If I Had A Dime
28. Hosea Hargrove – Tex Golden Nugget
29. Delbert Mcclinton – Acquired Taste
30. Otis Taylor – Clovis People Vol. 3