Blues from the 50s/60s/70s

For my part, it would be helpful if those posting would suggest some LPs that are great for both LP sound quality and music. It seems to me that if the sound quality is lackluster on so many of these blues LPs, and they are also so rare/expensive, it would make more sense, when building a blues collection, to focus more towards CDs or PC-based digital, and go with vinyl just in the rare instances when a good LP of the material is available, such as Lighnin Hopkins Goin Away, for example.

Mm2550, for me Lps sounds way much better than CDs, is fascinating how each LP sounds different from the other, more obvious when they were recorded in the 60s or 70s, they have a lot more presence and realism than CDs, but thats only my opinion of course.
Until now I have my music collection (about 1,000 CDs) stored in my computer under FLAC format and I played with a very good sound system. About a month ago I decided to return to vinil (Im getting older), found a very good turtable with a great cartridge, an almost new collection of records of the 70s and ... here I am, enjoying a lot rediscovering the analog sound !!!

A couple of very good sounding lp's that I have picked up over the past several months starting with the great old recording from Muddy Waters- The London Muddy Waters Sessions- an absolute must have for any Muddy fan and Blues fan in general. the recording is well above average considering the venue and time. For a really nice lp from Muddy pick up "The Lost Tapes" on Blind Pig records. While on Blind Pig another exceptional recording try Buddy Guy and Junior Wells "Drinkin TNT and Smokin Dynamite" a very good album. And, as I mentioned before Tommy Castro "Painkiller" is one of my favorites.

I just ask : Locate pristine vinyl (generaly 78s) by Southern Region to fulfill what was requested.

Not CD's but REAL vinyl 1950s ( Very , Very Rare to Impossible) , 1960s (Rare to Difficult) & 1970s (available but hard to find). Stop barking and go to work locating vinyl, real race/blues vinyl. You will find that the Southern Huricanes since '03 have made locating first pressings of race/blues records almost impossible because most of the truly great Southern Collections have been destroyed by water.

Should you be asking what blues are available on CD ,THAN, that's a different quest. CD's centered on (1950-60s) can CERTIANLY be found and what may still be found on vinyl (late-1960-70s) then you have a chance.

I personally collect music from a 80sq. mile area in State of LA. Most of those towns were under water and music from the initial printings is rising in value 10 to 1,000 X .

For now, CD's are the way to go, unless you demand the 78s from the 1950-60s. And should you be that person you need don't need us but rather an advisor who can LOCATE and recommend what's available and at what cost.

Lastly, a Tip: For genuine early blues try Smithsonian Records that sell records (re-recorded) from the Libary of Congress Collection, one of the most significant collections of race/blues records in the world , next to Claptian & Plant to mention a few. In the USA on FIOS the Smithsonian Channel will be showing a history of race/blues music starting 11/18/08 that most probably will be sold on DVD & CD. All the best.

PS As a fellow who grew up in a Southern City , I recall we kids throwing tin cans in a alley at night ... oh how the junk yard dogs barked. Some of you got to lighten-up.

Thanks again to all for your great help. Time for me to enjoy the blues!