The Best Blues Albums

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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
   Hard AgainMuddy Waters

   Hard Again

   Muddy Waters · 1977 · Blues

   A raucous, Johnny Winter-produced comeback of electric Chicago blues. Vital and acclaimed. A late peak.

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6. 6
   Moanin' in the MoonlightHowlin' Wolf

   Moanin' in the Moonlight

   Howlin' Wolf · 1959 · Blues

   A foundational compilation of Wolf's early Chicago-blues power. Raw and historic. Essential blues.

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7. 7
   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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8. 8
   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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   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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10. 10
    The HealerJohn Lee Hooker

    The Healer

    John Lee Hooker · 1989 · Blues

    A Grammy-winning late-career comeback pairing Hooker's boogie with star guests. Warm and accessible. A modern blues landmark.

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11. 11
    Damn Right, I've Got the BluesBuddy Guy

    Damn Right, I've Got the Blues

    Buddy Guy · 1991 · Blues

    A fiery comeback that reasserted Guy as a guitar great, with high-profile guests. Electric and acclaimed. A modern blues high point.

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12. 12
    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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13. 13
    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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14. 14
    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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15. 15
    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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16. 16
    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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17. 17
    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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    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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19. 19
    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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20. 20
    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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21. 21
    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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22. 22
    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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23. 23
    Texas FloodStevie Ray Vaughan

    Texas Flood

    Stevie Ray Vaughan · 1983 · Blues

    The debut that single-handedly revived blues-guitar in the 1980s, all fire and feel. Virtuosic without losing the groove. A modern blues landmark.

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    Couldn't Stand the WeatherStevie Ray Vaughan

    Couldn't Stand the Weather

    Stevie Ray Vaughan · 1984 · Blues

    A fiery follow-up that confirmed Vaughan's mastery. Electric and acclaimed. A blues-rock peak.

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    In StepStevie Ray Vaughan

    In Step

    Stevie Ray Vaughan · 1989 · Blues

    A polished, Grammy-winning late peak of clean-living blues fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.

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26. 26
    Strong PersuaderRobert Cray

    Strong Persuader

    Robert Cray · 1986 · Blues

    A polished, soulful blues peak that crossed over, home to 'Smoking Gun'. Smooth and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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27. 27
    Nick of TimeBonnie Raitt

    Nick of Time

    Bonnie Raitt · 1989 · Blues

    A warm, mature comeback that swept the Grammys. Soulful and acclaimed. Her commercial peak.

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28. 28
    Blak and BluGary Clark Jr.

    Blak and Blu

    Gary Clark Jr. · 2012 · Blues

    A modern blues-rock breakthrough blending soul, hip-hop and guitar fire. Bold and acclaimed. A contemporary highlight.

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29. 29
    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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30. 30
    The London Howlin' Wolf SessionsHowlin' Wolf

    The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions

    Howlin' Wolf · 1971 · Blues

    A star-studded London session pairing Wolf with British rockers. Loose and beloved. A crossover record.

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31. 31
    Indianola Mississippi SeedsB.B. King

    Indianola Mississippi Seeds

    B.B. King · 1970 · Blues

    A polished, soulful peak King himself prized. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.

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32. 32
    Live in Cook County JailB.B. King

    Live in Cook County Jail

    B.B. King · 1971 · Blues

    A fiery prison live peak, home to a definitive 'The Thrill Is Gone'. Electric and beloved. A great live record.

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    Getting Ready...Freddie King

    Getting Ready...

    Freddie King · 1971 · Blues

    A fiery Texas-blues peak, home to 'Going Down'. Tough and beloved. A high point.

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34. 34
    Ice Pickin'Albert Collins

    Ice Pickin'

    Albert Collins · 1978 · Blues

    A sharp, stinging Texas-blues comeback of cold-guitar fire. Tough and acclaimed. A genre highlight.

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    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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    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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37. 37
    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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38. 38
    Give It UpBonnie Raitt

    Give It Up

    Bonnie Raitt · 1972 · Blues

    A warm, rootsy early peak of slide guitar and soul. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.

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    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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40. 40
    Keb' Mo'Keb' Mo'

    Keb' Mo'

    Keb' Mo' · 1994 · Blues

    A warm, modern country-blues debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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41. 41
    RevelatorTedeschi Trucks Band

    Revelator

    Tedeschi Trucks Band · 2011 · Blues

    A soulful, Grammy-winning blues-rock debut of big-band warmth. Polished and acclaimed. A modern highlight.

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42. 42
    KingfishChristone "Kingfish" Ingram

    Kingfish

    Christone "Kingfish" Ingram · 2019 · Blues

    A dazzling young-gun blues debut of soulful guitar and voice. Vital and acclaimed. A modern blues breakthrough.

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    The Best of Muddy WatersMuddy Waters

    The Best of Muddy Waters

    Muddy Waters · 1958 · Blues

    The Chess Records distillation — Hoochie Coochie Man, Mannish Boy, and the whole electric blues vocabulary.

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    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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    The Best of Little WalterLittle Walter

    The Best of Little Walter

    Little Walter · 1957 · Blues

    Juke and the amplified harmonica revolution — the record that made the instrument a lead voice.

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