Tinsley Ellis ..Storm Warning. Then proceed on with any other Tinsley. Coco Montoya but stick with the earlier CDs he's getting a little weak in the writing department these days but he's a killer player. |
ALLIGATOR RECORDS 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION DISC 1
ALLIGATOR RECORDS 20TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION DISC 2
ALLIGATOR RECORDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION DISC 1
ALLIGATOR RECORDS 25TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION DISC 2
BLOCK, RORY WHEN A WOMAN GETS THE BLUES
BLUES MASTERS, VOL.3: TEXAS BLUES
BLUES MASTERS, VOL.4: HARMONICA CLASSICS
BLUES TRAVELER FOUR
CHAPMAN, TRACY NEW BEGINNING
CLAPTON, ERIC FROM THE CRADLE
CLAPTON, ERIC JOURNEYMAN
CLAPTON, ERIC UNPLUGGED
COLLINS, ALBERT AND THE ICEBREAKERS LIVE '92 - '93
FORD, ROBBEN AND THE BLUE LINE HANDFUL OF BLUES
GUY, BUDDY A MAN & THE BLUES
GUY, BUDDY LIVE, THE REAL DEAL
HONKERS & BAR WALKERS VOL.2
HOOKER, JOHN LEE DON'T LOOK BACK
HOOKER, JOHN LEE THE BEST OF JOHN LEE HOOKER
HOPKINS, LIGHTNIN'MOJO HAND: THE LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS ANTHOLOGY BOX SET
HOUSE OF BLUES ESSENTIAL WOMEN IN BLUES DISK 1
HOUSE OF BLUES ESSENTIAL WOMEN IN BLUES DISK 2
HOUSE OF BLUES SAMPLER HOT BISCUITS
JAMES, ETTA SEVEN YEAR ITCH
JELLY ROLL KINGS OFF YONDER WALL
KING, B.B. BLUES SUMMIT
KING, B.B. LIVE AT THE APOLLO
LITTLE WILLIE JOHN FEVER, THE BEST OF LITTLE WILLIE JOHN
LUCAS, ROBERT LUKE AND THE LOCOMOTIVES
MASTERS OF BLUES TRIBUTE TO ELMORE JAMES
MAYALL, JOHN & THE BLUES BREAKERS BLUES BREAKERS WITH ERIC CLAPTON
MO, KEB JUST LIKE YOU
OSBORNE, JOAN RELISH
PETERSON, LUCKY LIFETIME
STEVENS, COREY AND TEXAS FLOOD BLUE DROPS OF RAIN
TAJ MAHAL AN EVENING OF ACOUSTIC MUSIC
TAJ MAHAL PHANTOM BLUES
TAJ MAHAL SENOR BLUES
TAYLOR, KOKO FORCE OF NATURE
VAUGHAN, STEVIE RAY GREATEST HITS
VAUGHAN, STEVIE RAY STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN & DOUBLE TROUBLE IN STEP
VAUGHAN, STEVIE RAY THE SKY IS CRYING
WATERS, MUDDY BLUE SKY
LEAD BELLY WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT
WOLF, HOWLIN HOWLIN WOLF THE MASTERS
TEDESCHI, SUSAN JUST WON'T BURN |
OOOPS ... SORRY, GUYS. Above I referred to Tinsley Ellis' version of "Texas Flood" as the all-time best. *SHAKES HEAD* Nooooo ... big boo-boo.
I was thinking of Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band, S/T, Evidence Music, Inc., ECD 26073-2 (1995). Some of Taylor's stuff can be going-through-the-motions, uninspired, would-be-great-if-heard-live-in-a-bar type stuff. BUT, this version of "Texas Flood" is absolutely amazing ... it alone is worth the price of the CD. Sorry for the error, guys. |
mike1diver,
the 'easy there' was more jest than anything, i troll the threads late often myself. and yes, gov't mule rocks.
inscrutable gave a nice heads up for the north miss allstars, quite deservingly, check them out if you have not yet heard them.
also, quite a few cuts on the duane allman anthologies, both vols, are excelllent.
john mayall, including clapton collaborations with the bluesbreakers are monumental homages/interpretations of what some of the brits recognized about american blues, definitley worth checking out.
btw, here in philly we have wxpn broadcasting a blues show from 8pm to something like 1 or 2am on saturdays hosted by johnny meister. not sure though if this is npr available across the country, definitely check out your 'local' public broadcast radio stations for a blues program, this can be an invaluable source of musical content. also, wprb broadcasting out of princeton university in jersey , if i recall, also has a blues program, though not quite as extended as xpn/penn blues show.
hope this helps |
Thanks! You Guys are absolutely wonderful! Just to let ya all now, I've printed most of your recommendations down and will be using them as a basis for all my future blues purchases. What I'll probably do is pick the best album from each of the major recommendations and pick up more if they fit my fancy. I'm sure all your threads have benefited more than me. Keep the list coming in! Cheers and rock on! |
Sorry there Funjindemon. I was reading this thread late last night, and I guess that I missed your choice of "Dose". I also agree with your choice of Jimi Hendrix "Blues".
Have you listened to two of the latest Government Mule cds?
"Life before Insanity", with Allen Woody, and "In the Deep End", that came out after Allen Woody died. They are two really great cds.
Mike |
Just a few more to add in the mix would be
1 Bugs Henderson & the Shuffle Kings - great rockabilly blues
2 Savoy Brown - great boogie blues
3 Pat Travers - good rockin blues
4 Chris Cain - A little known west coast artist with a jazz background. Has good clean guitar and generally a good horn section. Definitely worth a listen
5 J Geils - Live "Full House" - a must have if you want rockin blues. "Blow Your Face Out" also good
6 Larry Howard - co-founder of Grinderswitch now playing Christian oriented blues. May be hard to find
7 Kaiser-Mansfield Band - Christian oriented blues. |
I'll add a second recommendation for the Bloomfield, Kooper, Stills, "Super Session" album. The two cuts of Albert's Shuffel, and Season of the Witch are worth the price alone. This is the album I would own, if I could only have one.
The second album with B&K is "The Continuing Adventures of...", also great and recorded live. Duane Allman and Carlos Santana, among others, perform when Bloomfield was hospitalized on the second night.
Play them both at max volumn! |
The Chicago blues is a mixture of blues, rock, and soul, that started (I guess) about 50 years ago. I'm not sure of the origins but Paul Butterfield (mentioned above) was an early band. The "East/West" album is well worth a hearing.
The Butterfield Blues Band had two famous guitarists (Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield) who went on to do other things. Elvin is still kicking and is even making the Reno/Tahoe scene. Bloomfield hooked up with Al Kooper and Steve Stills (that's right, THE Steve Stills) to make the "Super Session" album. This is also a great album and worth a listen.
Bloomfield can be uneven (he had a drug problem that eventually killed him) but when he cooks, he squeezes out riffs as smooth a Jerry Garcia. Bloomfield also made another Super Session album with Al Kooper, that once again, is worth listening to.
By the way, thanks for reminding me of these old classics. They too often get overshadowed by giants like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. |
If you're looking for a "newer" band, try the North Mississippi All-Stars. |
easy there mike1diver
check my post above
gov't mule 'dose', excellent double lp |
Warren Hanynes and Government Mule and the Derek Truks Band. I am very surprised that no one has recommended Warren Haynes, and Government Mule. Warren Haynes is behind some of the greatest slide and blues riffs that the Allman Brothers band has ever put out. Warren Haynes also put out a solo album, several years ago, called "Tales of Ordinary Madness", but it might be hard to find. He is supposed to be coming out with another solo album.
And if you like that, you will probably enjoy the Derek Truks band. He is a lot like Johnny Lang.
Enjoy the search.
Mike |
Might be hard to find but it is worth the effort.
Also try Too Slim And The Taildraggers
B |
Maxsound; your post (above) is the 1st time I've seen John Campbell's "Howlin' Mercy" CD mentioned on this site-- nice call-- except when I have. That's a fantastic CD, but DARK lyrics. His song "I Ain't Afraid of Mid-night" has tremendous rhythm, and the recording is very good too. And a follow-up CD, "One Beleiver" is as good but slowed down some. I don't know if J. Campbell's CDs are still available or not? Cheers. Craig |
Many great suggestions above. But I am surprised no one mentioned Tab Benoit ("warm and nice" and "What I live For") or Savoy Brown (especially "A Step Further" and "Raw Sienna").
Tommy Castro's "Exception to the Rule" is very good. Curtis Salgado (he was mentioned above). Fleetwood Mac's "Then Play On" still has to rank as one of the all-time best blues rockers ever (wish somebody would put out an audiophile edition of it). Rory Gallagher was also very good (he has joined SRV, a victim of his alcohol abuse). And how about Blind Faith, guys ... and did I miss something ... did no one really mention Eric Clapton?
Elvis Costello's "Imperial Bedroom" is nearly blues, and very good. Here's a little-known one, with some cajun influence: Willy DeVille's "Loup Garou." Willie Dixon's "I am the Blues" is outstanding. Tinsley Ellis' "Storm Warning" has the hottest version of "Texas Flood" I've ever heard ... sorry, SRV, but Tinsley's got you beat on this one. John Hiatt, "Bring the Family." Sonny Landreth, "South of I-10" (cajun-infected slide guitar blues). Los Lobos, "Kiko" (rock/blues with an Hispanic flair). Morphine, "Cure for Pain" (jazzy blues). The Police, "Ghost in the Machine" (reggae-inflected bluesy rock). The Radiators, "Zig-Zagging through Ghostland" (more cajun-inflected bluesy rock). Chris Rea, "The Road to Hell." Brian Setzer Orchestra, "Guitar Slinger." Taj Mahal, "The Natch'l Blues" and "Dancing the Blues." Pat Travers, "Crash and Burn." Muddy Waters, "Folk Singer."
Good collections can be found in "The Blues Masters -- The Essential Blues Collection," (Rhino) especially volumes 4 ("Harmonica Classics"), 6 ("Blues Originals"), and 9 ("Post-Modern Blues"). |
Of the ones mentioned I'd like to reaffirm some of selections:
Doug MacLeod - especially You Can't Take My Blues
Allman Brothers - early material
Albert Collins
SRV
Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers
Keb Mo
Now for a few of my own suggestions:
John Cambell - Howlin' Mercy (excellent cover of Led Zeps When the Levee Breaks)
Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues
Muddy Waters Tribute Band
Houndog Taylor and the Houserockers
Big Bad Smitty
There is a lot out there. You should be able to add a lot to your collection with all of these recommendations. |
There are some great suggestions above. Based on your criteria I would suggest the following:
Ian Moore - they are all great but I would suggest his self titled album first
Chris Duarte
Johnny Lang
Happy Listening,
Dave |
Albert King, James Cotton, Jimmy Rodgers, Hubert Sumlin, Roy Buchanan and John Lee Hooker for some of the established bluesmen, Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets for a newer blues group. |
Ross is right, Buddy Guy's "Damn Right I've Got the Blues" is certainly one of his best. I saw Buddy Guy perform this LIVE-- and also "Mustang SallY"-- here in W. Oregon. He has a smile that can light up the whole state! I'm making a copy of this thread when it nears the end. Cheers. Craig |
Some more suggestions are Doug MacLeod, anything by him...Mighty Sam McClain....give it up to love...terry evans-puttin' it down....philadelphia jerry ricks-empty bottle blues....way recommended...ted hawkins..happy hour & the next hundred years...awesome.....and the holmes brothers... |
Buddy Guy - How could I forget Buddy Guy's "Damn Right I Got The Blues" This is a good Buddy Guy cd to begin with.
Derek & The Dominos: Layla and Other Love Songs. This cd features some amazing blues guitar riffs between Eric Clapton and Duane Allman, expecially on the cuts: Key To The Highway, and Have You Ever Loved A Woman. There's a 20th Anniversary Edition [BOX SET]:The Layla Sessions. It's a three cd package of this with one whole cd where everyone just jams.
Eric Clapton also has a cd titled: From The Cradle. He performs blues standards, and his guitar work is phenomenal. |
Excellent addition to the list, Craig. I should have listed Lonnie -- you are right, the guys rocks like hell. |
Hi Raymond; Most of the "heavy weights" of Blues/Rock are covered above-- and I agree with most, but if you're really serious about wanting Blues/Rock CDs that REALLY ROCK, nobody does it better than Lonnie Brooks-- he has several absolutely smokin' CDs out-- and they're all good-- recording quality is very slightly bright, but otherwise very good.
I just went through them last night, and would recommend "Turn on the Night", Wound Up Tight", "Satisfaction Guaranteed", "Hotshot", and "Roadhouse Rules" CDs, and half a dozen others! His "Teenage Boogie Man" song is incredible, and check out "Belly Rubbin' Music" for a little slower music.
I don't know why Lonnie Brooks doesn't have a "BIGGER" reputation, but he has several CD tracks where Johnny Winters plays guitar-- fantastic, and a duet with Koko Taylor (maybe that's on a Koko CD?). And he has played with some of Chicago Blues "greats", and is one himself. He is originally from Louisana, and started his career there. Another I like is Otis Rush, and Lonnie Mack's "Strike Like Lightning" CD is HOT-- Mack's best CD, IMO.
BTW, I'm in the process of putting together 3-4 CD-Rs that I'm going to call "Blues and Rock, Nice and Hot"-- I have all the Artists, CDs, and tracks picked out from about 200 CDs. Now it's just a matter of putting them together. This CD-R is for my own use, and so your thread caught me at a good time;>) Let's ROCK! Craig. |
Well, gosh, where to begin. Based on the folks you have been listening to, you seem to gravitate toward urban/Chicago-style electric blues (see item #5 below). I will, however, throw out some names that represent a number of styles, since you may enjoy hearing more than one approach to the blues.
1. Early 1920's and 1930's blues (almost exclusively women): the best-known would include "the Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Sippie Wallace, and Victoria Spivey.
2. Mississippi Delta / country blues: Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly), Son House, Mance Lipscomb, Big Bill Broonzy, David "Honeyboy" Edwards.
3. Piedmont blues: Blind Boy Fuller, Mississippi John Hurt, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and Cephas & Wiggins.
4. Early urban blues: Leroy Carr, Roosevelt Sykes, Tampa Red, and Sonny Boy Williamson.
4. West coast "jump": Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers, Roy Milton, Charles Brown, Percy Mayfield, T-Bone Walker, and Ray Charles.
5. Chicago/contemporary urban blues: Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Otis Spann, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Lightnin' Hopkins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Albert Collins, Albert King, Professor Longhair (Henry Byrd), Johnny Copeland, Luther Allison, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and -- of course -- the "King", B.B. King.
6. British and American blues bands: John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds (later Led Zeppelin), Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Roomful of Blues, Canned Heat, Siegel-Schwall Band.
7. Contemporary blues vocalists: Koko Taylor, Esther Phillips, Etta James, Katie Webster, Marcia Ball.
There are many, many lesser-known blues artists that you may also thoroughly enjoy. To learn more about the blues, I recommend an inexpensive but enjoyable and informative book ($20), "Rhino's Cruise Through The Blues", written by Barry Hansen, and published by Miller Freeman Books. The book is sold by Barnes & Noble and other large book chains, and can also be ordered from Amazon.com. |
Try Michael Burke, I believe it's called "Make it Rain". This thing smokes. |
Check out Johnny Winter's classic "Second Winter". Try to find the quickly out of print Mobile Fidelity CD. Forget about the standard Columbia CD-it's awful.
If you have a good turntable/cartridge/phone pre-amp then find the original 3 sided LP release. JW didn't have enough material to release a full double album so they issued 3 sides. A bonus resulting from this is this allowed them full groove width resulting in terrific bass response. Check it out-you won't be disappointed! |
Jimi Hendrix "Blues" One of his very best blues guitar work. |
Albert Collins Deluxe on Alligator - excellent 20bit recording |
Bonnie Raitt "Road Tested", live album, beautifully mastered. And, if you have 5 channel DTS, the DTS Road Tested disk is unbelievable. |
albert collins 'cold snap'
jimi hendrix 'blues'
the black crowes 'amorica', 'shake your money maker', 'southern harmony & musical companion'
gov't mule 'dose'
all have been in heavy rotation from my library lately.
hope this helps |
START HERE!#1 The Allman Brothers at The Fillmore East.If you find anything to top this let me know!My #1 Island Choice!Well known as the BEST Live Blues/Rock Album of all time!Also Led Zeppelin's 1st LP is not to be overlooked as well as Cream and Early Stones Albums. |
You've got to get some Taj Mahal. Try his newer stuff but you really need a copy of "The Real Thing". It is live at the filmore with a great horn section (4 tubas included). Also, a really great sleeper is Burton Garr. |
Check out either of Melvin Taylor's releases on Evidence Records, Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band (straight power trio) or his most recent, "Bang that Bell". Possibly the best guitarist around today, with unbelievable technique but not just for the sake of playing fast (he plays great slowly as well). Very diverse in terms of style, combining blues, jazz, r & b, and hard rock. Really interesting and considered by many to be the best guitarist in Chicago today. |
You might also want to check out Keb Mo. My favorite is "The Door" but his music may be a little too much on the blues side for you. Another one might be the Cate Brothers.
Brian |
Early blues/rock
1. Paul Butterfield Blues Band
2. Yardbirds Live (Smokestack Lightning,the most awe inspiring pumped blues song ever!!!!!
3. Cream Live (Crossroads is another awesome song,along with
Spoonful) |
Peruse mapleshaderecords.com for great blues & jazz recorded by someone who Knows what he is doing. The Blue Rider Trio offerings are easy picks... |
Here are a few more you could check out, Popa Chubby-" One Million Broken Guitars", Johnny Winter-"Third Degree", Tinsley Ellis-"Fire it Up", Robben Ford and the Blue Line, Pat Travers, Gov't Mule, Arc Angels, Jimmy Thackery and the drivers, The Eric Gales Band, Dave Hole, Curtis Salgado, ZZ Top-"One foot in the Blues", Jake Andrews, Cry Of Love-"Brother". There are a whole lot more depending on what side you lean towards, Blues or Rock, but this should keep you busy for a while. TG |
Danny Gatton - the finest guitar player EVER. Pick up a copy of 88 Elmira St. or Cruisin' Deuces - you will be blown away by his virtuosity, skill, and good taste. Danny, I sure do miss you... I hear he even lets Stevie Ray carry his guitar case for him up in Heaven [smile] |
Check out Lounge Lizards "Live in Tokyo" album. They have an increadible blend of Free-Jazz, Progressive-Rock and Blues together! Certainly don't forget about Frank Zappa that had a huge input in Blues throughout his art. I wish He was alive still. |
The Allman Brothers Live At The Fillmore East (it's a 2 cd set). One of my favorite blues/rock cd's. Try to find the MFSL version. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! |
Indeginous is a great new(er) blues/rock band that happens to be Native American and I think all from the same family. Their lead guitar Mato Nanji is excellent. Favorite fun CD would have to be "Family Style" by Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughan. |
Gary Moore and Luther Allison are two excellent bluesmen to add to your list. -Kirk |
Robert Cray "Strong Persuader" is a great album, a must have. Much of Jeff Healey's music is quite bluesy, and of course the venerable Downchild Blues Band can't be overlooked. Early Fleetwood Mac is very blues oriented (if you can find their live album, buy it!), but my all time favourite remains SRV. What a shame the man passed away, incredible talent. |
