The Best Blues Albums of the 1960s

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1. 1
   King of the Delta Blues SingersRobert Johnson

   King of the Delta Blues Singers

   Robert Johnson · 1961 · Blues

   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.

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2. 2
   At Newport 1960Muddy Waters

   At Newport 1960

   Muddy Waters · 1960 · Blues

   A landmark live document of electric Chicago blues at its hottest. Thrilling and historic. A genre cornerstone.

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3. 3
   Folk SingerMuddy Waters

   Folk Singer

   Muddy Waters · 1964 · Blues

   A stripped-back, acoustic detour that became a sonic showcase and an audiophile favourite. Intimate and powerful. A different, essential side of Muddy.

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4. 4
   Electric MudMuddy Waters

   Electric Mud

   Muddy Waters · 1968 · Blues

   A divisive, psychedelic reimagining of Muddy's blues. Bold and strange. A cult curiosity.

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5. 5
   Howlin' WolfHowlin' Wolf

   Howlin' Wolf

   Howlin' Wolf · 1962 · Blues

   The 'rocking chair' album of foundational Chicago blues classics, Wolf's voice an elemental force. Raw and essential. A blues cornerstone.

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6. 6
   Live at the RegalB.B. King

   Live at the Regal

   B.B. King · 1965 · Blues

   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.

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7. 7
   Completely WellB.B. King

   Completely Well

   B.B. King · 1969 · Blues

   A peak that produced the immortal 'The Thrill Is Gone'. Smooth and powerful. An essential record.

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8. 8
   Born Under a Bad SignAlbert King

   Born Under a Bad Sign

   Albert King · 1967 · Blues

   Stax-backed electric blues of enormous influence, King's string-bending guitar setting a template for rock players. Tough and tuneful. Essential.

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9. 9
   West Side SoulMagic Sam

   West Side Soul

   Magic Sam · 1967 · Blues

   A landmark of the West Side Chicago-blues sound. Soulful and acclaimed. A genre classic.

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10. 10
    Hoodoo Man BluesJunior Wells

    Hoodoo Man Blues

    Junior Wells · 1965 · Blues

    A landmark Chicago-blues record of harmonica and grit, with Buddy Guy on guitar. Tough and authentic. A genre classic.

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11. 11
    At Last!Etta James

    At Last!

    Etta James · 1960 · Blues

    Lush, soulful blues balladry defined by the timeless title track. Powerful and warm. A standard-setting record.

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12. 12
    Father of Folk BluesSon House

    Father of Folk Blues

    Son House · 1965 · Blues

    A raw, powerful document of Delta-blues rediscovery. Intense and historic. A foundational record.

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13. 13
    Today!Mississippi John Hurt

    Today!

    Mississippi John Hurt · 1966 · Blues

    A gentle, fingerpicked document of rediscovered country-blues. Warm and beloved. A genre treasure.

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14. 14
    The Paul Butterfield Blues BandThe Paul Butterfield Blues Band

    The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

    The Paul Butterfield Blues Band · 1965 · Blues

    A landmark white-blues debut that bridged Chicago blues and rock. Tough and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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15. 15
    East-WestThe Paul Butterfield Blues Band

    East-West

    The Paul Butterfield Blues Band · 1966 · Blues

    An adventurous peak of raga-influenced blues-rock jamming. Bold and influential. A genre landmark.

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16. 16
    Blues Breakers with Eric ClaptonJohn Mayall and the Bluesbreakers

    Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton

    John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers · 1966 · Blues

    The 'Beano' album that made Clapton a guitar god. Influential and hot. A British-blues landmark.

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17. 17
    Boogie with Canned HeatCanned Heat

    Boogie with Canned Heat

    Canned Heat · 1968 · Blues

    A peak of late-60s blues-boogie, home to 'On the Road Again'. Warm and beloved. A high point.

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18. 18
    Taj MahalTaj Mahal

    Taj Mahal

    Taj Mahal · 1968 · Blues

    A warm, eclectic blues debut of country and rootsy invention. Lively and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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19. 19
    Fathers and SonsMuddy Waters

    Fathers and Sons

    Muddy Waters · 1969 · Blues

    A warm summit pairing Muddy with younger rock-blues players. Loose and beloved. A high point.

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20. 20
    Johnny WinterJohnny Winter

    Johnny Winter

    Johnny Winter · 1969 · Blues

    A blistering blues-rock debut of Texas guitar fire. Hot and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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21. 21
    Second WinterJohnny Winter

    Second Winter

    Johnny Winter · 1969 · Blues

    A blistering blues-rock peak of Texas guitar. Hot and beloved. A high point.

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22. 22
    Tell MamaEtta James

    Tell Mama

    Etta James · 1968 · Blues

    A fiery, Muscle Shoals soul-blues peak. Powerful and beloved. A standout.

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23. 23
    The Turning PointJohn Mayall

    The Turning Point

    John Mayall · 1969 · Blues

    An acoustic, drummer-less blues peak of intimate invention. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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24. 24
    The Big Soul of John Lee HookerJohn Lee Hooker

    The Big Soul of John Lee Hooker

    John Lee Hooker · 1963 · Blues

    The Boom Boom album — Hooker at Vee-Jay, one riff and total command.

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