The Best Blues Albums of the 1960s
Our pick of the essential blues records released in the 1960s, ranked.
-
1King of the Delta Blues SingersRobert Johnson
King of the Delta Blues Singers
The foundational Delta-blues recordings that influenced virtually everyone who followed, from the Stones to Clapton. Eerie and essential. Where the electric blues lineage begins.
-
2At Newport 1960Muddy Waters
At Newport 1960
A landmark live document of electric Chicago blues at its hottest. Thrilling and historic. A genre cornerstone.
-
3Folk SingerMuddy Waters
Folk Singer
A stripped-back, acoustic detour that became a sonic showcase and an audiophile favourite. Intimate and powerful. A different, essential side of Muddy.
-
4Electric MudMuddy Waters
Electric Mud
A divisive, psychedelic reimagining of Muddy's blues. Bold and strange. A cult curiosity.
-
5Howlin' WolfHowlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf
The 'rocking chair' album of foundational Chicago blues classics, Wolf's voice an elemental force. Raw and essential. A blues cornerstone.
-
6Live at the RegalB.B. King
Live at the Regal
Widely held to be the greatest live blues album, capturing King's call-and-response mastery and impeccable phrasing. Joyful and electric. A blues essential.
-
7Completely WellB.B. King
Completely Well
A peak that produced the immortal 'The Thrill Is Gone'. Smooth and powerful. An essential record.
-
8Born Under a Bad SignAlbert King
Born Under a Bad Sign
Stax-backed electric blues of enormous influence, King's string-bending guitar setting a template for rock players. Tough and tuneful. Essential.
-
9West Side SoulMagic Sam
West Side Soul
A landmark of the West Side Chicago-blues sound. Soulful and acclaimed. A genre classic.
-
10Hoodoo Man BluesJunior Wells
Hoodoo Man Blues
A landmark Chicago-blues record of harmonica and grit, with Buddy Guy on guitar. Tough and authentic. A genre classic.
-
11At Last!Etta James
At Last!
Lush, soulful blues balladry defined by the timeless title track. Powerful and warm. A standard-setting record.
-
12Father of Folk BluesSon House
Father of Folk Blues
A raw, powerful document of Delta-blues rediscovery. Intense and historic. A foundational record.
-
13Today!Mississippi John Hurt
Today!
A gentle, fingerpicked document of rediscovered country-blues. Warm and beloved. A genre treasure.
-
14The Paul Butterfield Blues BandThe Paul Butterfield Blues Band
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
A landmark white-blues debut that bridged Chicago blues and rock. Tough and influential. A genre cornerstone.
-
15East-WestThe Paul Butterfield Blues Band
East-West
An adventurous peak of raga-influenced blues-rock jamming. Bold and influential. A genre landmark.
-
16Blues Breakers with Eric ClaptonJohn Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
The 'Beano' album that made Clapton a guitar god. Influential and hot. A British-blues landmark.
-
17Boogie with Canned HeatCanned Heat
Boogie with Canned Heat
A peak of late-60s blues-boogie, home to 'On the Road Again'. Warm and beloved. A high point.
-
18Taj MahalTaj Mahal
Taj Mahal
A warm, eclectic blues debut of country and rootsy invention. Lively and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
-
19Fathers and SonsMuddy Waters
Fathers and Sons
A warm summit pairing Muddy with younger rock-blues players. Loose and beloved. A high point.
-
20Johnny WinterJohnny Winter
Johnny Winter
A blistering blues-rock debut of Texas guitar fire. Hot and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
-
21Second WinterJohnny Winter
Second Winter
A blistering blues-rock peak of Texas guitar. Hot and beloved. A high point.
-
22Tell MamaEtta James
Tell Mama
A fiery, Muscle Shoals soul-blues peak. Powerful and beloved. A standout.
-
23The Turning PointJohn Mayall
The Turning Point
An acoustic, drummer-less blues peak of intimate invention. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.