Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year
BMA Winner: Curtis Salgado
JH Selection: Curtis Salgado
This is one of my great joys of the evening. Let me say it loud and proud: I'm a big fan of Curtis Salgado and couldn't be happier for his big win here!
Traditional Blues Album of the Year
BMA Winner: Super Chikan - Chikadelic
JH Selection: Various Artists - Chicago Blues - A Living History
The Chikan has a big swath of supporters and I'm not anti-Chikan but the collection of talent and the quality of the Living History record deserved serious recognition. It was my Album Of The Year and I can't believe it came away empty handed.
Koko Taylor Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year
BMA Winner: Debbie Davies
JH Selection: Ann Rabson
Davies won on the strength of an instrumental record she released this year. Her pre-show performance was quite strong and she's an excellent player, but I really preferred Ann. In the end I'm not sure it matters because this year was all about renaming the award and the real winner was Koko Taylor's legacy.
Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year
BMA Winner: Duke Robillard
JH Selection: Louisiana Red
Red won a couple awards on the night so I'm happy to see Duke break through with one. I'm a bigger fan of him than I was his Stomp! record. I got to watch him onstage at Rum Boogie as well as at the BMAs and the guy is a supreme talent with a great devotion to the swing style of old. Congratulations, Duke.
DVD
BMA Winner: Delmark Records It Ain't Over! Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues, Live at Buddy Guy's Legends
JH Selection: Delmark Records It Ain't Over! Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues, Live at Buddy Guy's Legends
Delmark Records is responsible for some of the best blues records of the past half century and that legacy was honored in the form of this DVD win. I love it and was thrilled with this win.
Historical Album of the Year
BMA Winner: Chess - Authorized Bootleg (Muddy Waters)
JH Selection: Hip-O Select The Complete Chess Masters 1950-1967 (Little Walter)
Article comments
1 - Joanie
Regarding Patrick Rynn: told. you. so. Class act that he is, he's thrilled for Stroger.
Agree with you on the reasoning why some wins didn't quite sit well with me, but what are you gonna do? (Try harder to sway public opinion next year! I'll help)
2 - Josh Hathaway
I'll continue to vote and yes, I'll try to amplify my public campaigning. I'm not one for the tinfoil but if one likes a good conspiracy, one can cook some up with a few of these wins. In the end, I'm going to celebrate for the folks whose wins pleased me and continue to listen to some great music. 2009 was a kickass year for the blues.
Stroger is a great, legendary sideman and it's very classy of Patrick to joyfully recognize that. I'm also quite certain that man's day is coming. The guy can play.
3 - Joanie
Both Patrick and Chris deserve all the recognition they get. They're more than worthy. If you haven't yet listened to the new CD, go to their website and revel in the sonic brilliance.
Next year, we both lobby hard for our faves. :D