Arsen Shomakhov Storms Blues Radio Charts; Pinetop & Willie Back On Top

Who is Arsen Shomakhov and where did his On The Move come from?  He’s a Russian-born guitarist/songwriter who competed in the International Blues Challenge after moving his base of operations to Vancouver, Canada.  On The Move is his latest album recorded for Blues Leaf records and it has vaulted to #2 on the blues radio charts, falling just behind the venerable Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.

Shomakhov is the big story on the chart this week but there are other names making a name for themselves, some for the first time (or at least first time in awhile).  Music legend Dr. John’s Tribal was released this past Tuesday and makes a strong showing while Albert Castiglia’s new record Keepin’ On will be released this Tuesday and as the record nears we see it making noise in the lower reaches of the chart.  Les Copeland’s Don’t Let The Devil In seems to bounce up and down a lot from week to week.  This week is an up week, checking in at #3.  Anders Osborne is also back on the radar after some time a way.  That’s been one of my favorite records this year and I’m glad to see it continuing to get play.  The same is true of Karen Lovely’s Still The Rain.  I have not forgotten I still owe you all a complete review of her disc.  That and Albert Castiglia reviews are forthcoming, I promise.

Here is the complete list.  I’ve linked to the albums I’ve thus far reviewed if you want to know more about them.  You can also check out the weekly BPR 6 Pack feature that takes a closer look at six songs from the albums on the chart.

1. Pinetop Perkins / Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith – Joined At The Hip
2. Arsen Shomakhov – On The Move
3. Les Copeland – Don’t Let The Devil In
4. John Nemeth – Name The Day!
5. Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King – Have Blues, Will Travel
6. Janiva Magness – The Devil Is An Angel, Too
7. Magic Slim & The Teardrops – Raising The Bar
8. Elvin Bishop – Red Dog Speaks
9. Marshall Lawrence – Blues Intervention
10. Otis Taylor – Clovis People, Vol. 3
11. Dr. John And The Lower 911 – Tribal
12. Tim Woods – The Blues Sessions
13. Cee Cee James – Seriously Raw – Live At Sunbanks
14. Steve Miller Band – Bingo!
15. Anders Osborne – American Patchwork
16. Bettye Lavette – Interpretations – The British Rock Songbook
17. The Derek Trucks Band – Roadsongs
18. Jimmie Vaughan – Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites
19. Ron Hacker And The Hacksaws – Burnin’
20. Walter Trout – Common Ground
21. Mississippi Heat – Let’s Live It Up
22. Foghat – Last Train Home
23. Rob Stone – Back Around Here
24. Cathy Lemons & Johnny Ace – Lemonace
25. Karen Lovely – Still The Rain
26. Harper – Stand Together
27. Dave Weld And The Imperial Flames – Burnin’ Love
28. Daddy Mack Blues Band – Bluesfinger
29. Albert Castiglia – Keepin’ On
30. Various Artist – This Is The Blues Vol. 2