JW-Jones - Bluelisted (2008)

Modern blues comes from throughout the world -- but Ottawa, Canada, is not a locale that immediately comes to mind when you think of the aforementioned musical genre. However, JW-Jones is proof once and for all that you can never pin down where bluesmen hail from, as evidenced by his fifth release overall, 2008's Bluelisted. Admittedly, the album is more similar stylistically to Stevie Ray Vaughan (minus the guitar hero solos) and the Fabulous Thunderbirds than to authentic blues artists. But still, with the majority of modern day pop and rock music about as far removed from the blues as you can get, it's a treat to hear such bluesy ditties as "Double Eyed Whammy" and "Somebody's Got to Burn," as well as the rockabilly raver "Mad About You." And from a blues standpoint, you've got to respect the special guests who drop by throughout -- Little Charlie Baty, Junior Watson, Richard Innes, and Larry Taylor. From beginning to end, JW-Jones does the blues with class and style throughout Bluelisted. (Greg Prato)