Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler I'm Gettin' the Blues

Any recommendations on some good blues artists? so far I've got Carey and Lurrie Bell, Elmore James, Joe Kubek, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters and Rick Estrin on my list. Any other artists I should be checking out and adding to it? I realize there's a lot of sub genres in Blues music, but open to suggestions.

Tks, Adrian

BB King and Albert King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker.

For contemporary Blues: SRV, Jonny Lang, Robert Cray, Johnny Winter, Taj Mahal, Gary Moore.

ALbert Colins, SRV. Led Zeppilin's first album is great blues!

John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers used to be one of my favorites, but I haven't listend to blues in years. Maybe it's time to buy some CD's.

Good suggestions so far and here's a mix of others I like: Guitar Shorty, Corey Harris, Howlin' Wolf, Keb' Mo', Freddie King, Cocoa Montoya, Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, Little Walter, Canned Heat, R.L. Burnside, North Mississippi Allstars, Etta James, Jimmy Thackery, Walter Trout and a couple of my favorite Otis' ... Otis Taylor and Otis Rush.


I knew I'd forget a couple of good ones ... Roy Buchanan, Rory Gallagher, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi.

Adrian, go to CD Baby and take a peek, there are a ton of lesser known artist that produce some amazing music. I've bought several very good albums from obscure artist on that site.

Thats a pretty small list you got there Rick. Don't hold back now.

That reminds me. I need to check out the dates of this years local blues festival. Its always a treat to listen to new artists.

Looks like Mark, Rick and Fred got it pretty much covered.

Lightnin' Hopkins, Sean Costello, Robben Ford, Allman Brothers, Jeff Healey, Charlie Musselwhite, Lloyd Jones, Joe Bonamassa, Junior Wells, Eric Bibb, Koko Taylor.

I've been listening to a lot of Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin lately - some people laugh like you're making a joke when you say Zeppelin was a blues band.

Rory Gallagher.

I can't believe no one's mentioned Eric Clapton yet. Also Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, and a big second for Susan Tedeschi.

Don't forget Mississippi Gary.

Hi Adrian,

It would be remiss not to mention the great Bessie Smith, "Empress of the Blues," who influenced just about everyone. NOTE: low-fidelity recordings! All of her great recordings were from the mid-1920s to the late 1930s. Despite the limitations of early recording technology, the power and heartbreak in her voice comes through. One of my favorites of hers is "Empty Bed Blues."

Also Bobby "Blue" Bland and Alberta Hunter. Hunter retired after a long career in the 1920s '30s, worked as a nurse for decades in New York and then had an amazing comeback when she was in her late 70s and 80s(!). There is a great video of a concert she gave, called "Alberta Hunter Live at the Smithsonian".

Give a listen to Lonnie Johnson, a great, sweet-voiced New Orleans singer and guitarist, who lived a long time and recorded with many of the greats--Armstrong, Ellington and others. He was still singing and touring in the 1960s, and I saw him live in a Toronto club in the late '60s. He actually died in Toronto in 1970.

Cheers,
Alan

Thanks for all the recommendations guys, WOW!! I'm familiar with a few names mentioned, but lots to go through here....

If the Delta Blues interest you Adrian, here's a neat site with a slew of links that will keep you busy for a day or two. If you click the 'Blues CDs' link on the upper left side of the page it will direct you to a few artist, I especially like that guy 'Super Chikan's' music, good stuff ... Cat Head

Good name.

Mississippi John Hurt