Discovering the Blues.

[CardinalBlue]

I was driving the a few weeks ago with Planet Rock on, and ‘Blues Power’ came on.

I’m more of a ‘classic’ rock fan, so the blues is not something I have listened to a great deal. But, I really liked what I heard. I’ve been listening more and more – but mainly just the pre-made playlists on Spotify. Laurence Jones is on heavy rotation.

Can any Blues fans out there recommend some more listen artists/tracks to help me on my blues discovery?

[TonyRPH]

Stevie Ray Vaughan
Tab Benoit
Joe Bonamassa (early stuff really - his later stuff not so much..)
Tinsley Ellis
Robert Cray
Chris Aaron
Walter Trout
Eric Clapton (should go without saying)
B.B. King

[TheD]

BB King, Muddy waters, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Little Walter, Sonny Boy et al

[popeyewhite]

TonyRPH said:

Eric Clapton (should go without saying)

Never understood why Clapton is revered as a bluesman. Little original stuff, and the covers he does are unexceptional. Agree with you about early Bonamassa.

[br d]

Albert Collins. Turn up loud.

[CardinalBlue]

Thanks all, I've been listening to some Bonamassa and am a fan. No idea if it's early or late, like I say pretty much dabbling on the pre-made Spotify play-lists. Certainly a lot to catch-up on!

[Funk]

Some others to check out:

Eric Bibb
Danny Gatton
Keb' Mo'
Paul Lamb & The King Snakes
Sherman Robertson
5Live

Edited by Funk on Monday 30th July 23:29

[Turn7]

Leslie West
Govt Mule
Greg Allman
Jeff Healey

[Escapegoat]

If you get to the blues via Classic Rock, eventually you'll find Gary Moore on the journey. Too many great tracks to mention, but here's one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5avSyUZkc1U


And then you will discover Peter Green and early Fleetwood Mac, such as this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HTUah3ivIo


In some ways, Bonamassa has taken up the high-octane bluesing mantel from Gary. He can rip it up really well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDmfoT9Rrhw

And I love this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev78XZD9Dmg

[ben5575]

TheD said:

BB King, Muddy waters, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Little Walter, Sonny Boy et al

Now there's a man of taste

Cotton Crop Blues by Jimmy Cotton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDxHlFwTp1Y

[ben5575]

Escapegoat said:

In some ways, Bonamassa has taken up the high-octane bluesing mantel from Gary. He can rip it up really well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDmfoT9Rrhw

Yes, the best thing about Bonamassa is you get Beth Hart Sometimes she brings along Jeff Beck instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTWxXG2NoKQ.

It is a hell of a voice to hear live and highly recommended if you get the chance.

[popeyewhite]

ben5575 said:

Yes, the best thing about Bonamassa is you get Beth Hart Sometimes she brings along Jeff Beck instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTWxXG2NoKQ.

It is a hell of a voice to hear live and highly recommended if you get the chance.

Bonamassa is way out of Beth Hart's league. She's utterly brilliant and her light is only going to get brighter... .

[TonyRPH]

Also have a listen to 'Govt Mule' album: The Deep End.

Here's a taster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia1WVUURrCQ

Absolutely brilliant.

Also try 'Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters'

Have a listen to the album: Blues Guitar Virtuoso Live In Europe

[cherryowen]

The Blues is a huge church of music, with much to recommend and a lifetime to listen to and not just guitar.

However, when I first decided to teach myself to play the guitar it was Chicago Blues I gravitated to which led to discovering other artists such as:-

Robert Johnson
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Lightnin' Hopkins
Albert King
Freddy King
Son Seals
Son House
T Bone Walker

Then, I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan and I almost threw my guitar out of the window.

A couple of others to consider are Howlin' Wolf (with Hubert Sumlin on guitar duty), and Ray Charles who went through a phase of very smoky blues piano.

Of modern players, Bonamassa of course but also John Mayer whose style very much mirrors Peter Green. There's also a young lad from the deep South called Christone "Kingfish" Langham who - for a teenager - has a very good grasp of blues guitar.

[ben5575]

cherryowen said:

There's also a young lad from the deep South called Christone "Kingfish" Langham who - for a teenager - has a very good grasp of blues guitar.

Christ he can play can't he?! What a great shout. Thanks.

[ninepoint2]

Also a decent online radio station worth listening to as well

https://tunein.com/radio/Blues-Connection-s158576/

[popeyewhite]

Surprised no one's mentioned the Godfather of British Blues John Mayall. Hendrix? Canned Heat.. Ten Years After.. Led Zep.. Rory Gallagher.. Alvin Lee etc. The thing is with some American blues styles it can get a little bit poppy and soft (Chicago), I much prefer the SRV (Texas) style. Some of the blues from the UK is quite heavy.

This is Rory Gallagher showing how heavy blues can be played - A Million Miles Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXOwDDBhT80

[Funk]

Henrik Freischlader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCdbC6cUil4

[davepoth]

It's certainly a broad church. I don't think anyone has mentioned John Lee Hooker yet. Here's one of his showier tracks. I recall sitting in a friend's house years ago and listening to a John Lee Hooker song where the only guitar playing was a single note, over and over, with all of the playing in the way he danced around the rhythm. Bluesiest thing I've ever heard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yyWvUTsBsE

[Stan the Bat]

R.L. Burnside,
Magic Sam,
Magic Slim,
Luther Allison.

Put "Blues" into Youtube search and you will be rewarded.