BEST OF 2005

Back To ANNUAL BEST OF PAGE

The Queen Of Soul/Blues scored a huge Southern Soul hit with "Snap, Crackle & Pop". She also continued to show her songwriting prowess on numbers like "The Love You Threw Away" and "Doormat Woman". This was voted "Southern Soul CD Of The Year" in Blues Critic's Southern Soul Awards.

 2.  Lou Wilson & Today's People "Blues Groove" (Crew)

"Blues Groove" is so Bobby Rush funky I need a shower after listening. I'm not talking machine-produced funk I'm talking loose, hard-hitting, spankin' guitar Blues funky. All of us, whether we're a critic, performer, businessman or just a music lover, have a personal list of artists who we adamantly insist should be better known instead of the many manufactured, over-hyped pop tarts who saturate our collective consciousness. Lou Wilson is one of those terrific secrets that needs to be told.

Leon has a vintage soul voice reminiscent of O.V. Wright. An impressive debut.

A great year for Floyd. Not only did "Baby I've Changed" remain on the charts for a whole year but he very nearly picked up FOUR Blues Critic Awards! He won "Best Male Vocal Performance" & "Best Southern Soul Song" and finished a very close second in "Album Of The Year" & 'Best Slow Jam" categories!

Floyd's second disc released on William Bell's Wilbe imprint is consistent through and through. Includes the smash duet with Bell, "Somebody's Gonna Lose A Good Woman", plus "You Had It All" & "I Got My Woman Upset"

Ace songwriter steps to the fore on this terrific modern soul effort. The first hit may be a remake of Z.Z. Hill's "Who You Been Giving It To", but it's the Allen originals "Creepin' Ain't Easy" & "I'm Sorry", plus Rich Cason's "Giving It Up" that are the most noteworthy.

An impressive set of Soul/Blues and Memphis-blessed soul.

Very promising debut by this mezzo-sorprano voiced singer benefits from strong compositions like "You Lost A Fortune", "Good Love Is Hard To Find" and "Let Me Make Love To You". The latter contains a particularly sugary vocal from Turner.

10. Archie Love "Sincerely Yours" (JEA Music)

You can use the cliche' "big in Japan" for Archie Love but he also made his mark elsewhere with this disc. "Same Woman", a duet with mentor J. Blackfoot, and the gorgeous "Should've Been There For You" were two of the best cuts.

11. Lee "Shot" Williams "Nibble Man" (Ecko)

Yet another solid collection from "Shot" includes the funny "Ease On Down In The Bed" and "I'm A Nibble Man", both sizable hits. John Ward produced.

12. Chuck Roberson "Expressions Of Yesterday" (Cruise On)

Modern day Jackie Wilson on the vocals released a compilation of his late 80s/early 90s material. It contains the original "Lollypop Man", plus "Good Thing Man" which managed to hit the charts. Some of the production is certainly dated and sound quality could be better at times but "Expressions" is 13 strong Southern Soul/R & B songs by an underrated singer.

13. Willie Clayton "Full Circle" (Malaco/EndZone)

Interesting year for Clayton. "Full Circle" was first released on End Zone with a bonus DVD. After Clayton cut a deal with Malaco the CD was re-released with the extra cut "I'm Going Crazy", which was topping the chart by the end of the year.

14. Al Lindsey "Caught" (Pulsating Music)

Michigan's Al Lindsey arrived this past year with this impressive disc produced by Simuel Overall. The Marvin Gaye-inspired "Candlelight (A Salute To Marvin)" was a hit with "We're Gonna Party Tonite", "Caught (In The Wind)" strong contenders. "Hollow Point" was also added to several key playlists.

The Marvin Gaye influence continues on this sultry collection. "Tell Me What U Want" & "Between The Sheets" were gems.

Floyd Hamberlin produced. Travis goes the Southern  Soul route on this consistent set of bumps and ballads. "Baby Mama Drama" is the first hit but the song that has gone on to classic status is "If I Back It Up".

17. Ms. Monique "Soul Sessions Volume 1" (Soul Ent.)

Stunning debut from an instant diva packed with sexy slowies like "Love Therapy", "Slow & Easy" & "Lollipop" and invitations to the dancefloor ("Do You Wanna Step With Me?", "Get Up"). The first hit is "Mr. Do Right".

T.K. is an entertainer. His live shows knock 'em out and his records draw 'em in. "Cheating & Lying" was the lead cut. Word on the street is that T.K. is just getting warmed up.

First release from Charles since the death of Jimmy Lewis. One of his strongest overall records. Rich Cason helped out. Hot cuts are "Southern Girls Got The Booty", "There's A Rat Loose In My House" & "Too Pooped To Pop".

Spare, dusky and traveling on a gravel road Henry's production is sympathetic and unobtrusive. LaVette's the centerpiece rather than studio wizardry...a potent stew of sandpaper R & B, folk, soul & gospelish blues. LaVette was voted by readers as "Best Female Blues Singer" of 2005.

While the first half consists of stately soul heaven (songs written by Tim Davis, Ricky Ryan, EW James & Billy Lawson), Maurice and band kick off their shoes for some sturdy blues shuffles (written mostly by Maurice) on the second half. "I've Been Had", "Trouble", I'm No Fool" all give Maurice a chance to do some cutting with his axe.

The great Little Milton Campbell died in '05 but this ranking is not sympathy. Although it may take a a few spins to warm up to this altered version of Milton's soul/blues, you'll find it is a fitting curtain call. The title is now ironic. Milton won two Blues Critic Awards this past year. "Best Soul/Blues Album" & "Best Male Blues Singer"

Since his mid-90s comeback Gaines has become a bit of a journeyman amongst Blues labels. Blue Fye suits him up with his usual horn-laded Blues. "I've Kissed My Last Ass" & "Let's Sit And Talk This Thing Over" are the standouts. To me Gaines is sounding increasingly like Albert King as a vocalist

A 13-song collection of Memphis Soul and blues expertly produced by David Earl. Pride is a smooth singer, with a rich, expressive croon. So like the last album you got the right singer and producer plus all the ingredients for greatness...

Great year for producer/songwriter/producer Jon Tiven, Not only was he the man behind Little Milton's "Think Of Me" but he also produced this smokin' disc by the underrated Hooks. Aggressive, raucous Rhythm & Blues. And that voice! Hooks deserves a higher profile.

 8. Solomon Burke "Make Do With What You Got" (Shout! Factory 2005)

 9.  Percy Sledge "Shining Through The Rain" (Varese)

Sledge's soaring tenor is the holy howl of Deep Soul. This is his first set since the mighty fine 1995 comeback "Blue Night". Keeps his tradition of Country Soul, Bluesy Soul and aching slowies. Sledge is simply a treasure for Soul fans.

Last year he nearly stole the show from Charles Wilson with his guitar virtuosity on Wilson's Delmark release "If Heartaches Were Nickels". Well, now Carl says "I'm Back Again" on the opener for the TC Davis and Richard Waters-produced "Hold On".  

Back To ANNUAL BEST OF PAGE

(C) 2018. All written material found on this website is the property of Blues Critic and may only be used with permission and full accreditation (either "Blues Critic" or "Dylann DeAnna of Blues Critic") given plus a link to this website.