All Blues: 2025 Top 10 Blues Albums

The blues just kept on coming in 2025. It’s been a big year for new blues albums. 92 year old Bobby Rush and 89 year old Buddy Guy both released masterful albums this year. Newcomer D.K. Harrell burst onto the scene with a compelling album. Young blues masters Kingfish and Southern Avenue released albums that shouldn’t be missed and several blues veterans joined the fun.

Geoff Anderson is the co-host of All Blues along with Sam Mayfield. Anderson’s top ten 2025 blues albums are listed here.

Tune in to All Blues every Saturday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. on KUVO JAZZ.

Southern Avenue, "Family" - Alligator Records — The defining feature of this band is the delicious three-part harmonies of the Jackson sisters, Ava and Tikyra with Tierinii on lead vocals. That would be enough to warrant an album entitled "Family,” but on top of the sisterhood, Tierinii is married to the band’s guitarist, Ori Naftaly.

D.K. Harrell, "Talkin’ Heavy" - Alligator Records — Harrell’s Alligator debut immediately launched this singer/guitarist/songwriter as a major force in the blues world. He’s the full package: authoritative vocals, guitar chops, and songwriting that ranges from humorous to poignant to introspective to gut-wrenching.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, "Hard Road" - Red Zero Records — Although close in age to Harrell, Kingfish is already an established artist, and this is his fourth album. This time, he’s recording on his own label, which he plans to expand in the future by releasing material from other blues artists. “Hard Road” has plenty of Kingfish’s heavy guitar riffs, but it also branches into other areas, sampling other genres and becoming introspective on occasion.

Tajmo, "Room on the Porch" - Concord Records — The second album from Taj Mahal and Keb Mo together is generally a happy affair. The title track suggests a lazy day hanging out at home with a welcoming atmosphere for all. It may be the blues, but it’s not sad.

Roomful of Blues, "Steppin’ Out" - Alligator Records — This band has been swinging for over half a century, and “Steppin’ Out” emphatically announces that they aren’t done yet. The new album features a female vocalist, a rarity for Roomful, in the form of Dee Dee Bastos, who steps up and takes control.

Buddy Guy, "Ain’t Done with the Blues - Silvertone Records — Guy is one of the last of the bluesmen born and raised in the deep southeast who migrated to Chicago. At age 89, he’s still at it and sounding good doing it. A sprawling 18-song set features several guests, including Kingfish, Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh, and Joe Bonamassa.

Bobby Rush/Kenny Wayne Shepherd, "Young Fashioned Ways" - RAM Records/Deep Rush Records — Speaking of veteran bluesmen, Bobby Rush, now 92, is also still at it and still sounding good. On his latest release, he joins forces with the much younger Shepherd, known as an incendiary guitar slinger who quite easily slips into the backseat to support a true blues master.

Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues, "Blues is My Biography" - Rosa’s Lounge Records — Chicago bluesman/harmonica master Branch delivers a varied and engaging set of modern Chicago blues. Bobby Rush appears as a guest, as does Shemekia Copeland.

Janiva Magness, "Back for Me" - Blu Elan Records — Big voiced Magness strides through a varied set of songs written by such composers as Bill Withers, Alan Toussaint, Tracy Chapman, Ray LaMontagne, and others.

Delta Sonics, "Concrete Hotel" - Self Produced — Local heroes The Delta Sonics lay down 10 tracks of mostly original blues tunes, expertly executed in their Chicago blues style. Al Chesis on lead vocals and harmonica and songwriting, leads the band through this energetic and enjoyable set.

Honorable Mention

Mud Morganfield, "Deep Mud" - Nola Blue Records

Carolyn Wonderland, "Truth Is" - Alligator Records

Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, "Closer to the Bone" - Alligator Records