An Introduction to the Blues
A list of classic blues album, not in any particular order, and only one per artist. I'll keep adding albums and descriptions to it, so feel free to make suggestions.There's not many blues albums on Sputnik, but I plan on adding a bunch. |
| 1 |  | Magic Sam
West Side Soul
Magic Sam shows off a wide variety of influences and emotions in this electric blues classic. His version of "Sweet Home Chicago" is a classic. A tremendous talent that passed away too soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S5DGqCfk8o |
| 2 |  | Muddy Waters
At Newport 1960
One of the most well-known blues singers of all-time, Muddy and his band were at their absolute peak at this point. He played a big role in pioneering the blues rock that would eventually influence the big 60's UK rock bands, such as The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and Cream.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEYwk0bypY |
| 3 |  | B.B. King
Live at the Regal
While B.B. King's 1957 debut album is arguably one of the most greatest and most influential blues albums of all-time, this is truly The King of the Blues at his best. A charismatic live performer, B.B King has the audience on the edge of their seat through a roller coaster of emotions and playful banter. In my opinion he is the greatest blues musician who ever lived. |
| 4 |  | Howlin Wolf
Howlin' Wolf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILFjY2mbarg |
| 5 |  | Robert Johnson
King of the Delta Blues
“At first the music almost repelled me, it was so intense, and this man made no attempt to sugarcoat what he was trying to say, or play. It was hard-core, more than anything I had ever heard. After a few listenings I realized that, on some level, I had found the master, and that following this man's example would be my life's work.” - Eric Clapton
Despite having passed away at 27, Johnson wrote several blues classics and is considered to be one of the blues' most influential songwriters and guitar players. Robert was miles better than the other bluesmen of his time, and you hear every blues lick of the 60's in his playing. |
| 6 |  | Junior Wells
Hoodoo Man Blues
Buddy Guy's guitar playing was a major influence on Jimi Hendrix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWTieCjUhVw |
| 7 |  | Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry
Sonny & Brownie
A folk-blues duo in the 50s and 60s, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee succesfully captured the sound and emotions of the early folk-blues artists of the 1930s and 1940s. Highlights include "Bring It On Home To Me" (Sam Cooke cover), "Sail Away" (Randy Newman cover),"Big Wind", and "You Bring Out The Boogie In Me". Contains contributions from John Mayall, John Hammond and Arlo Guthrie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX3KOaJvly4 |
| 8 |  | Jimmy Reed
Found Love
A real slick and laid back blues man, Jimmy Reed is an easy listen. Elvis Presley made "Big Boss Man" a concert staple, and recorded an unbelievably good version of "Baby What You Want Me to Do" in his '68 Comeback Special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-61BuUZGSOY |
| 9 |  | Hound Dog Taylor
Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers
Hound Dog Taylor exploded onto the scene in the early 70s with two critically acalimed LPs before passing away in 1975. A big fan of Elmore James, Taylor made his tremendous slide guitar playing an integral part of raw, electrifying Chicago blues bar sound. |
| 10 |  | Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
One of the brighter talents to come out of the late 60s blues revival. Combined with an excellent voice and good songwriting, Taj Mahal put out a few classic folk blues albums before changing his focus to reggae. His version of "Statesboro Blues" would later become a big hit for The Allman Brothers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUpEemZbXkA |
| 11 |  | John Mayall
Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton sounds right at home on this album, effortlessly laying down blues licks between John Mayall's vocals. Clapton even makes his first ever appearance as a lead vocalist on his rendition of Robert Johnson's "Ramblin' On My Mind". Future Fleetwood Mac original John McVie on bass. |
| 12 |  | The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Such an unbelievably skilled group of musicians. Drummer Sam Lay (who does a perfect Muddy Waters impression on "Got My Mojo Working") and bass player Jerome Arnold were seasoned vets from Howlin' Wolf's touring band. But the real star of this is album is guitar player Mike Bloomfield, who is probably better known for playing lead on "Highway 61".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3LEhfbKCSc |
| 13 |  | Albert King
Born Under A Bad Sign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeLddbrzsHk |
| 14 |  | Fleetwood Mac
Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
Before the Buckingham/Nicks era, Fleetwood Mac was a blues band lead by singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Green. Peter Green and Singer/Slide guitar/Piano player Jeremy Spencer put together a fun blues album with support from John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.
"[Peter Green] has the sweetest tone I ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats." - B.B. King |
| 15 |  | Memphis Slim
All Kinds of Blues
One of the weaker albums on this list, but the piano playing on this album is some of the best you'll ever hear. |
| 16 |  | Elmore James
King Of The Slide Guitar
An expert slide guitar player with a booming voice, Elmore James was a true pioneer of the blues rock sound that become so popular in the late 60s and early 70s. "Dust My Broom", "Sky is Crying" and "Shake Your Moneymaker" are all dive bar blues band classics. |
| 17 |  | Stevie Ray Vaughan
In Step
One of the few who could play blues at a high tempo without losing an ounce of emotion, Stevie Ray Vaughan was a unique presence in the 1980s. While blues and blues rock was pretty much dead at the point, Stevie Ray helped bring it back to a degree with his lighting fast guitar playing and the heartbreak in his voice. A true generational talent, this would be Stevie Ray's masterpiece before passing away at just 35. |
| 18 |  | John Lee Hooker
I'm John Lee Hooker
Combining his riff heavy, boogie-woogie style guitar playing with his deep, dry voice, John Lee Hooker wrote some of the meanest and coolest blues songs in history. After having a few big singles in the late 40's and early 50's, "The Hook" made a comeback in the early 60's by putting out an impressive amount of LPs of re-recorded classics and new material, such as his 1966 smash-hit, "Boom Boom".
If James Brown was the hardest working man in showbiz, then John Lee Hooker was the hardest working man in blues. Until he passed, he stayed relevant by regularly putting out new albums featuring collaborations from big names in rock and blues, and toured heavily.
In 2015 Rolling Stone magazine ranked him as the 35th greatest guitar player in history. |
| 19 |  | Charles Brown
Driftin' Blues: The Best of Charles Brown
Although remembered for holiday classics "Merry Christmas Baby" and "Please Come Home For Christmas", Charles Brown had tremendous success on the singles charts throughout the late 40's and early 50's, making him one of the blues' earliest stars. Songs such as "Driftin' Blues" and "Livin' in Misery" are perfect examples of how Charles used his soft piano playing and calm, melodic voice to record some of the saddest and most emotional blues songs ever. |
| 20 |  | Lightnin' Slim
High and Low Down
After spending the 60's playing for his brother-in-law Slim Harpo (Got Love if You Want It, I'm a King Bee), Lightnin' Slim cut this 1971 album, showing off both his ability as a lead guitarist and frontman. What makes this album so special is the production work done by cult figure Swamp Dogg. Typically a producer of soul and R&B albums, he does a great job of adding his own unique touch. Despite blues music rarely ever featuring a brass section, Swamp Dogg includes this without it sounding out of place or overpowering. |
| 21 |  | Freddie King
Freddy King Sings
One of the blues' most talented performers, Freddie knew how to use his aggressive guitar playing and booming voice to put on a great show. His first two albums for King records are classics, but the rest of his catalogue is unfortunately lacking in creativity. Ranked by Rolling Stone as the 15th greatest guitar player of all-time, Freddie King was Eric Clapton's biggest influence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE9H1bW-zQ4 |
| 22 |  | T-Bone Walker
T-Bone Blues |
| 23 |  | Lead Belly
When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 5: Take This Hammer
The king of folk-blues, Lead Belly added his own bluesy, dark touch to traditional folk songs. Without him, traditional folk songs such as "Midnight Special", "Cotton Fields", "Gallows Pole", "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", "House of the Rising Sun", and "Goodnight, Irene" may have never found in a place in rock music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsfcUZBMSSg |
| 24 | | Mississippi John Hurt
Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings
the warmest folk-blues you'll ever hear. With the folk and blues revivals in the mid-60's Mississippi John Hurt's music was re-discovered, and he began performing at folk festivals and clubs, and put out three albums of new material.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85BvT5X6WSo |
| 25 |  | Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=972Dx71AtFA |
| 26 |  | Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band
Safe As Milk
A very bizarre, yet very good, garage-rock influenced blues album. Ry Cooder's slide guitar playing is worth the listen alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UOweeSdI2k |
| 27 |  | Willie Dixon
Willie's Blues
The greatest songwriter in blues history. Willie wrote songs and played bass for Chess Records artists in the 50s and 60s, most notably Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. His singing voice is actually surprisingly good for a songwriter. Album also features some fantastic piano playing from Memphis Slim. |
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