HOT WAX ALBUM REVIEWS BEST OF 2024
It is with mixed emotions that I bring you the Hot Wax Reviews Top 25 of 2024.
After a couple of months of tossing and turning, I’ve decided that this will be my final album review column. Life is simply getting too busy to give these talented artists the attention they deserve. Besides, I’ll be 67 in April and, since starting this journey with the now defunct “Kamloops This Week” in early 1990, I’ve written somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 reviews.
My hope is that Gonzo Okanagan can find someone else to pick up the torch and carry it forward. If this means you, contact editor in chief Brad Krauza. I will gladly supply some great contacts for you to get downloads and discs to review.
I would like to thank all the artists, record companies and promo people who have offered their friendship and support throughout my journey, but perhaps most importantly to you Dear Reader… because without you I’d just be quacking into the void. Now let’s get on with it!
#25- THE HITS KEEP COMING Rick Estrin & The Nightcats (Alligator)
Another hugely entertaining blues party from Rick Estrin & The Nightcats. The cheekily titled The Hits Keep Coming is an immensely satisfying sampling of Estrin’s particular brand of hip; original blues and vintage rock-style tunes mixed with jazz and rockabilly thrown in make for what Blues Music Magazine calls “the best band in the land.” This album sure makes the case.
HOT TRACKS: Somewhere Else, Time For Me To Go, Diamonds At Your Feet
#24-BALLAD OF THE BROTHERS The Bacon Brothers (40 Below Records)
Welcome to The Bacon Brothers’ 12th album. Ballad Of The Brothers is an entertaining mix of autobiographical and richly detailed fiction as Michael and Kevin continue to explore their mutual love of American roots music, classic rock, folk and Motown. They’re different songwriters from each other, and that’s just one of the things that makes BOTB so engaging.
HOT TRACKS: Ballad Of The Brothers, Take Off This Tattoo, Dream Of The San Joaquin
#23-HELL FIRE and DAMNATION Saxon (Silver Lining Music)
I read an article about a handful of older bands issuing outstanding late-career records. Those mentioned include Judas Priest’s Invincible Shield, Accept’s Humanoid (just reviewed) and Saxon’s Hell Fire & Damnation, all of which have 2 things in common; they’re British metal bands, and all 3 of these were produced by Andy Sneap- who also happens to be a touring guitarist for Priest. I waffled on Saxon because over the years I’ve found their stuff inconsistent, but that article tipped the balance for me- and I’m sure glad it did. Great songs and tight playing making HF&D the best thing I’ve heard from them since possibly 1983’s Power & The Glory.
HOT TRACKS: Pirates Of The Airwaves, Hell Fire & Damnation, 1066
#22- FINYL VINYL Canned Heat (Ruf Records)
What an unexpected treat this turned out to be! Finyl Vinyl, Canned Heat’s first new album in 15 years, is a boogie masterpiece. Of course it isn’t the same band we know from the 60’s and 70’s- drummer Adolfo De La Perra is the sole existing member of the classic lineup. The band’s storied career is detailed in an excellent liner essay by Tone Scott, a fine read to dig into as you enjoy the boogie-licious classic vibes.
HOT TRACKS: One Last Boogie, So Sad (The World’s In A Tangle), A Hot Ole Time
#21- THIS OLD LIFE Big Dave McLean (Cordova Bay Records)
There are certain artists, regardless of genre, who never disappoint- and Big Dave is one of them. If Wikipedia is accurate, This Old Life is McLean’s 7th solo album and, armed with his trusty harp and National Steel guitar, he delivers the goods with room to spare. Billboard magazine has said of him that “Big Dave’s been the quintessential behind-the-scenes bluesman. He’s done more to shape the Western Canadian blues scene than perhaps any other artist.”
HOT TRACKS: See That My Grave Is Kept Clean, Mama T’aint Long Fo’ Day, young Fashion Ways
#20- BURN EP (REMASTERED) Christian Simeon (independent)
An interesting Lo Fi country journey from Geminidragon’s guitarist. Burn was previously released but, thanks to our ol’ pal the pandemic, was given short shrift when it came to promotion in terms of touring and other avenues of promotion. The disc has come around again and I’m sure glad it has. Experimenting with the edges of what Nashville calls country music, Simeon’s work sports minimal arrangements over seductive grooves.
https://www.facebook.com/ChristianSimeonMusic/
HOT TRACKS: Get Gone, Burn, The End
#19- ALIVE Honeymoon Suite (Frontiers)
Knock, knock- who’s there? The 80’s! This is the first album for these Canadian rockers since 2008. Honeymoon Suite’s Alive is a declaration from the band that yes they are still Alive and serving up their uncanny blend of riffs, pop melodies and expressive vocals. I’m the first to admit that the 80’s didn’t suck- not ALL of it- thanks to bands like Honeymoon Suite.
HOT TRACKS: Find What You’re Looking For, Tell Me What You Want, Livin’ Out Loud
#18- EVERY ROME NEEDS A NERO Alfie Smith (independent)
Yup, 6 stars- that’s how much I’m digging Alfie Smith’s first album in ten years. Every Rome Needs A Nero is sparse, deep, dark blues… great acoustic guitar playing and a powerful, husky voice with some stark trumpet intensifying the emotion in some lonely songs. I haven’t been this bowled over since the first time I heard Matt Andersen. Sweet Jesus, this is really good.
Sublime, beautiful and moving, Every Rome Needs A Nero is one for the ages.
HOT TRACKS: title cut, All The Blues I Need, Mule
#17- SHEPERD Bywater Call (independent)
This Toronto-based roots, rock & soul band’s third album is a scorcher. Sheperd continues to reach beyond the boundaries of their genre to develop their own voice. It reminds me of how I used to feel about The Black Crowes.
HOT TRACKS: Everybody Knows, Sweet Maria, Sign Of Peace
#16- ALL KINDS OF BLUES Mick Kolassa (Endless Blues Records)
This is Mick’s 15th blues album and it’s just all kinds of excellent. Previous records have included a few sub-genres but for the appropriately titled All Kinds Of Blues his intention was to include as many varieties as he could, resulting in one of his most satisfying discs ever.
HOT TRACKS: Amy Iodine, Too Old To Die Young, That Don’t Mean
#15- FINE BY ME Curtis Salgado (Little Village
This is one of the most soulful albums you’ll ever hear. Fine By Me is Salgado’s uniquely soulful blend of blues, gospel, R&B, jazz, funk and rock ‘n roll… if you’re having a garbage kind of a day, this will lift you out of the dumps.
HOT TRACKS: Better Things To Lie About, Fine By Me, The Big Chagrin
#14- CHASING THE SUN Colin James (Stony Plain)
Colin James gets better with age. Chasing The Sun is 100% pure James- stinging, tasteful guitar, fine songwriting- with a list of guests that make a good thing even better. Could be his best yet.
HOT TRACKS: Protection (with Lucinda Williams), Devilment (with Charlie Musselwhite), How It Feels To Be Loved
#13- KINGDOM Amanda Fish (VizzTone)
This is Amanda Fish’s third album and she gets better with every release. Kingdom is powered by righteous subject matter as Fish has really come into her own as a singer and songwriter. I I loved her first two records but holy cow this is really something else; Amanda Fish is on fire.
HOT TRACKS: Mockingbird (not the cheesy pop song!),Unbreakable, The Great Reset
#12- SARATOGA Eddie 9Volt (Ruf)
It feels like I’ve just time-travelled back to the 70’s. On Saratoga Eddie 9Volt displays a beguiling mix of southern soul, blues, rock and funk with sharp lyrics that draw a bead on modern America. Eddie puts it perfectly; “I do think it’s a wonderful road trip album.”
HOT TRACKS: Cry Like A River, Tides, Love Moves Slow
#11- RIGHTEOUS SOULS Albert Castiglia (Gulf Coast)
Teaming up with Mike Zito for the Blood Brothers has had a large effect on Albert Castiglia; Righteous Souls is full throttle rockin’ blues full of righteous singing and inspired playing. This could well be the best thing Albert’s done.
HOT TRACKS: Centerline (with Popa Chubby), Till They Take It Away (with Ally Venable), Come On In This House (with Rick Estrin)
#10- OLUSTEE JJ Grey & Mofro (Alligator Records)
This is JJ Grey & Mofro’s 10th album including The Choice Cuts, a compilation from 2009. Named after a civil war battle fought in Baker County Florida in 1864 Olustee, their first record in 9 years, is everything I’ve long loved about this band; the funk, the soul, the blues and the rock & roll. Rich, evocative lyrics and powerful yet simple musicianship are at play on what I’m certain will be judged as the best disc of their already impressive career.
HOT TRACKS: Rooster, The Sea, Seminole Wind
#9- EVERYTHING IS INCOMPLETE Ian North (independent)
A stunning return here for Canadian singer/songwriter Ian North. He makes what is called “fallen angel folk/ rock”, and that’s what Everything Is Incomplete is. It’s Simon & Garfunkel meet James Taylor; introspective, delicate and irresistible songs of hope and resilience. I like the way this guy thinks, and I love the way he tells his stories… this is touching me in profound ways.
HOT TRACKS: China Moon, History Of Swings, Tumbledown
#8- =1 Deep Purple (Edel/ EarOne Music)
This is Purple’s 23rd studio album, first with new guitarist Simon McBride, and =1 stands with the band’s best work. With the possible misstep of 2021’s mildly entertaining covers album Turning To Crime the band has been on a tear since signing a new record deal and hooking up with producer Bob Ezrin. Purple has no right to be this good, this ‘on’ well into their sixth decade, yet here we are.
HOT TRACKS: Portable Door, Show Me, Lazy Sod
#7-NAKED TRUTH Tinsley Ellis (Alligator Records)
A haunting, spine-tingling blues excursion from one of the genre’s finest players- that’s Naked Truth, the latest from Tinsley Ellis. This reminds me of the time I first heard Son House’s Death Letter when I bought that LP in the late 80’s; just a man and his guitar with nowhere to hide… primitive and emotionally naked; powerful. Think Skip James, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, because this disc is in that league.
HOT TRACKS: Devil In the Room, Death Letter Blues, Easter Song
#6- ROADHOUSE: THE LOST SOUNDTRACK The Jeff Healey Band (Sony/ Mondo Music)
As far as Jeff’s fans go this has been a long time coming. The Jeff Healey Band was the house band in Patrick Swayze’s cheesy 1989 classic and, if you have the album, you know that only 4 cuts appeared there plus a few more in the film. Many more were recorded at the time, including some that would appear on their debut disc See The Light. Well, no more worry about those extra tracks as they’ve been gathered here on Roadhouse: The Lost Soundtrack, and I daresay the wait was worth it… ‘spectacular’ doesn’t begin to describe how good this is.
HOT TRACKS: I’m Tore Down, Knock On Wood, One Foot On The Gravel, White Room
#5-LIFE IS HARD Mike Zito (Gulf Coast Records)
A disc of scorching, heartfelt blues from one hell of a guitar player. Life Is Hard, releasing February 23rd, is an emotional set with powerful lyrics and super-human guitar playing. Zito says “I believe this is the best album I’ve ever made in my life”, and with 8 or 9 of his albums in my collection plus stuff from his ‘side groups’ The Wheel and Royal Southern Brotherhood, I can say with confidence that he ain’t lying… this is a superior record.
HOT TRACKS: Forever My Love, Having A Talk With God, These Eyes
#4-INVINCIBLE SHIELD Judas Priest (Sony)
The Priest is back with their 19th album, following up 2018’s Firepower with a solid metallic BANG. Invincible Shield With producer and touring guitarist Andy Sneap once again behind the board, Judas Priest has delivered their most powerful record since Painkiller, maybe even British Steel. It’s that good, it’s that heavy- a triumph in every way.
https://www.judaspriestinvincibleshield.com/#
HOT TRACKS: Panic Attack, Giants In The Sky, Escape From Reality
#3-MADISON GALLOWAY Madison Galloway (independent)
This is Madison’s self-titled sophomore album and it’s smokin’ hot. 10 original songs and an excellent cover of Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit makes Madison Galloway a contender for my ‘best of’ list. I haven’t been this knocked out by a chick blues rocker since Ally Venable.
HOT TRACKS: White Rabbit, Freedom, Shade In The Shadows
#2- YEAH! David Gogo (Cordova Bay Records)
David Gogo has just come up with the perfect summer record. Yeah! is the sort of thing I love best- blues soaked rock & roll- and will sound great blasting out your windows as you roar up the Inland Island Highway. This is righteous stuff!
HOT TRACKS: Diamond In The Rough, Real Good Woman, Ballad Of Bad Boy Billy
#1-LUCK AND STRANGE David Gilmour (Sony)
Hard to believe this is Gilmour’s first solo album in 9 years. Luck And Strange is a sumptuous reminder that Gilmour doesn’t need Roger Waters, and maybe never has. His guitar playing is atmospheric and immaculate, and lyrics by David and wife Polly Samson examine some intriguing issues like the existence of God on Single Spark to the folly of mankind in Piper’s Call. Sure Luck And Strange is a solo record, but Pink Floyd is never very far away.
HOT TRACKS: Luck And Strange, Between Two Points, Scattered
BEST TRIBUTE:
TRUE BLUES BROTHER: THE LEGACY OF MATT “GUITAR” MURPHY Various Artists (Nola Blue Records)
This double disc effort is a tribute to the legendary guitarist Matt “Guitar” Murphy, who passed away 6 years ago last month. This historic 23 song set includes Murphy’s final three studio recordings, plus a healthy assist from no less than 72 musicians, many of them legends themselves, to finally give Matt the glorious sendoff he so richly deserves.
HOT TRACKS:
DISC ONE: Matt’s Boogie (Matt Murphy, guitar), I Can’t Quit You Baby (vocals- Phil Dilorio, Troy Mercy- guitar)
DISC TWO: Evil (vocals- Craig Rawling, guitar- Bob Margolin), Tired Of Sleeping Alone (vocals & guitar- Rocky “King” Russell, guitar- Matt “Guitar” Murphy)
BEST BOX SET:
ANNO DOMINI: 1989-1995 Black Sabbath (Warner/ BMG)
May 31st, 2024… a day that many Black Sabbath fans thought would never happen. The Tony Martin-era of Sabbath is getting its due thanks to this box set that gathers four of the records released on the defunct I.R.S. label. Three of them have been remastered while the 4th, 1995’s Forbidden, has been remixed by Tony Iommi and engineer Mike Exeter. To have all of these albums in cd and vinyl form available again is a gift; that they sound so brilliant is a blessing.
HOT TRACKS:
FROM HEADLESS CROSS: When Death Calls
FROM TYR: The Sabbath Stones
FROM CROSS PURPOSES: I Witness
FROM FORBIDDEN (2024 REMIX): Rusty Angels
BEST BOX SET: RUNNER UP
NOT THE ORIGINALS BOX SET Buffalo Rock City (independent)
It’s going to be a very merry Kissmas for some lucky fans this year. The ultimate Kiss tribute series has pooled all four of their albums into a limited edition box set, available December 25th. Yes it will be released digitally, but 100 lucky fans will be able to get their hands on physical copies- good luck with that. Buffalo Rock City and Buffalo Rock City II I already have and have reviewed, so Buffalo Rock City Live and Solo Obsessions- a new disc covering material from the 1978 solo albums as well as stuff done outside of Kiss- are new to me and most welcome. Project mastermind is John Jeffrey of the Buffalo-based Kiss tribute act “Kiss This!” is to be commended for both the choice of material covered and the consistency of sound over all four discs. With over 50 Kiss tribute albums out there of varying quality, Not The Originals towers above them all- it’s not even close.
HOT TRACKS
BUFFALO ROCK CITY 1: Freak, Back on The Streets
BUFFALO ROCK CITY 2: Save Your Love, Down On Your Knees
BUFFALO ROCK CITY ALIVE!: Psycho Circus, Shock Me
SOLO OBSESSIONS: Wiped Out, All About You
