Comme chaque année, le magazine US « Living Blues » a publié ses prix pour 2004 dans deux grandes catégories : le choix des lecteurs et celui des critiques. Les voici.
READER’S POLL
Best blues artist – male : Otis Taylor
Best blues artist – female : Etta James
Best musician – guitar : Alvin “Youngblood” Hart
Best musician – keyboards : Pinetop Perkins
Best musician – harmonica : Charlie Musselwhite
Best live performer : Bobby Rush
Most outstanding blues singer : Alvin “Youngblood” Hart
Best new album : “Rock’n’Roll City” par Eddy Clearwater & Los Straitjackets
(Bullseye)
Best historical album : “Moanin’ At Midnight : The Memphis Recordings” de Howlin’ Wolf (Fuel 2000)
CRITIC’S POLLS
Best blues artist – male : Bobby Rush
Best blues artist – female : Bettye Lavette
Best blues artist – male : Otis Taylor
Most outstanding musician – vocals : Mighty Sam McClain
Most outstanding musician – guitar : Michael Burks
Most outstanding musician – keyboards : Pinetop Perkins
Most outstanding musician – harmonica : Snooky Pryor
Most outstanding musician – bass : Bob Stroger
Most outstanding musician – drums : Sam Carr
Most outstanding musician – horns : Calvin Owens
Most outstanding musician – other instrument : Robert Randolph (pedal steel)
Best live performer : Bobby Rush
Comeback artist : Howard Tate
Artist deserving more attention : Lil Joe Washington
Album of the year : “Mississippi To Mali” de Corey Harris (Rounder)
Historical reissue/Pre-war “Down In The Basement :Joe Bussrd’s Treasure Trove of Vintage 78s 1926-1937 (Old Hat)
Historical reissue/Post-war : “Moanin’ At Midnight” de Howlin’ Wolf
New recordings/Soul-blues : “Blues At Midnight” de Bobby Bland (Malaco)
New recordings/Best debut : “Houston Guitar Blues” de Lil’ Joe Washington (Dialtone)
New recordings/Contemporary blues : “Red, White & Blues” de Mighty Mo Rodgers (Verve)
Best cover art : Peter Amft pour “I Got Wild” de Big Joe Williams (Delmark)
Best producer/Historical-reissue : Bob Koester pour “I Got Wild” de B.J. Williams (Delmark)
Best producer/New recording : Eddie Stout pour “Houston Guitar Blues” de L.J. Washington (Dialtone).
Best liner notes : Jim O’ Neal pour “Downhome Blues Session, volume 1” (Ace)