Blues "must have, top 100" list?

Peter Green with Nigel Watson 'HotFoot Powder'

Some of my favorite blues are swamp blues. Originally on the excello label, their reissues are easy to find and are perhaps some of the best mono recordings around. This is due to recording genius Jay miller. Also, look at the flyright label. The artists include, Lightin Slim, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Silas Hogan. Go to the Arhoolie website and pick up a CD Lousiana Blues. British Blues, Old Fleetwood Mac, and many others on the Blue Horizon label. Pick up the Blue Horizon Box set with the early Fleetwood Mac albums.
Other artists in the Chicago Blues class, Magic Slim, Earl & his cousin John Hooker, Tinsley Ellis, Walter Trout, etc. If you really want a good selection to choose from, listen to online radio 'live365.com Select the blues and the many categories the stations play. You are your best judge.

Howlin Wolf's the Real Folk Blues is by far my favorite. A close second is Muddy Waters sings Bill Broonzy but save your money and find an original as the Speakers Corner isn't very good (I have both). Son House on Columbia 360 label is a must. I second Gelmhirsts' recommendation of the Jimmy Reed lp. A sort of recommendation is a compilation album called Reconsider Me by Elvis. If he had sang like that more often I would have stayed a fan forever!

The Aces, "Chicago Beat" on Black and Blue

Good list going so far except that Eric Johnson,while being one of the best pickers living who can do some mean blues, isn't a blues player based on what you get on his discs. Robert Johnson on the other hand...

Everyone owes it to themselves to check out Tinsley Ellis. One of the most soulful players/singers/writers i've heard. He just put out a live disc and since his live shows kill that would be a good place to start.

Gatemouth Brown. A living ledgend from Lake Charles La. Blues, swing, and canjun all mixed up like a perfect gumbo.

Duke Robillard is the current carrier of the T-Bone torche as well as the founder of Room Full of Blues, which is the place to go for killer horn driven blues.