What Are The BMA's?

Admin
Sep 21, 2017
4 min read

America's Most Important But Least Known Award Show.

It’s everybody’s favorite time of year or at least my favorite time of year to nominate (their favorite) artist for the BMA’s, what is the BMA’s you ask (everyone does)? The BMA’s is shorthand for the Blues Music Awards which happens every May preceding the all-important (at least to me) Blues Hall of Fame induction ceremony (Both events take place in Memphis).

This time of year makes me sad, despite having a strong presence in the Memphis area and continuous streaming on Sirius XM radio, the ceremony remains a blip on the mainstream radar. Armed with a new website I aim to change that by giving you all the albums and artist that I think should win some of the major awards or at the very least be nominated.

Album of The Year

Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm- This album features Cray at his sharpest since his Cookin’ In Mobile release. The High Rhythm section swings and gives Robert a boost on every song on the album (no wasted tracks), they wanted to play together for years and it shows. Of special note is Robert’s cover of the O.V. Wright’s “You Must Believe In Yourself,” with a great solo and a swinging horn section! You can listen to the original and Robert's by clicking the hyperlink! Cray's version is in the Album highlights section below

Album Highlights:

Contemporary Album of The Year:

Southern Avenue- Southern Avenue- This upstart band released this album during early August, while Blues purist may be turned off to the genre bending. If given the chance this album is well worth the purchase, they retain strong elements of the Blues while adding things to it (much in the same vein as Keb Mo’ but like 1,000 times better). Adding elements of R&B and Soul, making the Blues accessible to a younger audience.

Album Highlights:

Best Emerging Artist- Rev. Sekou

With the backing of Luther Dickinson (of the Northern Mississippi Allstars) and his brother Cody Dickinson, the sophomore album of Rev. Sekou is strong follow up to his debut CD. Along with Luther's strong guitar playing, Sekou's sermons clips and his excellent lyrics ("In Times Like These" is stellar for an original composition) makes for a spellbinding release. Imagine if Reverend Jimmie Bratcher mixed with Fantastic Negrito. The mixture you’ll come up with is Rev. Sekou who leads an album of politically charged material with fiery guitar playing, punchy horns, soulful singing and fantastic accompaniment by the Dickinson brothers.

Album Highlights (Resist, 2017):

Contemporary Blues Artist- Elvin Bishop

One of the albums I keep going back to is Bishop’s "Big Fun Trio," a relaxed, rocking and fun album filled with fantastic guitar playing and humorous songwriting. The album is filled with Elvin's signature comedy and killer guitar playing, on the track "Sou thside Slide," he quotes Blue Monk (at the 30 second mark), other highlights include "100 years of Blues," and "Keep on Rollin". Elvin has been on the top of the Blues scene since 2008 with his excellent release “The Blues Rolls On,” and hasn’t looked back continuing with strong albums like last years “Can’t Even Do Wrong Right,”.

Historical Reissue: Hayes McMullan- Everyday Seems Like Murder Here

The moment this precious historical artifact came out mid-February it set the acoustic Blues world on fire. In part, because of Hayes excellent playing and his excellent story. It came as a revelation to me that a document of this caliber existed, a companion of Charlie Patton (the first superstar of the Blues world) whose memory and guitar playing was intact. Some fans may gripe and mention Son House (an excellent musician and contemporary) but he never gave as much insight into Charlie nor the world that he lived, through no fault of his own. McMullan (the mystery that he is) refrained from drinking as he had taken up preaching after performing as a musician. Until this release he was only known for his Civil Rights activism as he seldom played blues music or for people in general. Remarkably his skills are intact and he shares stories about Charlie and reveals some details about his past. Hayes performance choices are also revelatory including old standards that were lost (until now) or became lyrics instead of the compositions they were. An example would be “Goin’ Where the Chilly Wind Don’t Blow,” or “I’m Goin’, Don’t You Wanna Go?” which features the heralded Blues lyric “I’m going where the Southern cross the dog”.

Album Highlights: