best blues albums of the 21st century

Other gems come in the shape of Im Glad You Reconsidered, the brassy proto-soul ballad, So Many Tears, and the mid-tempo lament, Pay Day Blues, which highlight Fulsons full-bodied, expressive voice and choppy guitar style. Id include The Paul Butterfield Blues Band LIVE double LP and Charlie Musselwhites often overlooked Tennessee Woman. Id be quite tempted to include Janis Joplins I Got Dem Ol Kozmic Blues Again Mama! since we have a Soul-Blues cross-over Aretha Franklin. And you are an expert? All of these works are valuable and have merit!! Famed for his harmonica prowess and stentorian vocals, Morris joined forces with Memphis guitarist/producer Brad Webb for Back Porch Blues, a collection of eleven, raw, self-penned songs that stayed true to the delta blues tradition. Release Date May 6, 2008. His innovation, radical at the time, of playing single-note melodies that combined expressive string-bending and vibrato, eventually became the norm and was adopted by a host of fretboardists, including Django Reinhardt and T-Bone Walker. Junior Wells, James Cotton, Billy Branch, and Cary Bell. He's a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner whose career stretches back half a century. Witherspoon blends a rugged, bluesy earthiness with svelte jazz sophistication in the company of two legendary saxophonists (Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan) and trumpeter Roy Eldridge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv370LpF0cU A former Baptist preacher who was imprisoned for a year after killing a man in self-defense, he sang with a sermonizing intensity, accompanying his vocals with metallic slide guitar. Everything that Johnson recorded is on this 30-track compilation, a compelling testament to his genius. Something from Audience? Overview. The remaining antique gems are incredibly obscure. Jack Bruce. Hard Again by Muddy Waters is also a good one. Sonny Boy Williamson II told Mayall to do everyone a favor and dont sing ever again. A bottleneck guitar specialist from Rossville, Tennessee, McDowell first learned to play slide guitar using a filed-down beef bone. This, their second LP release, partly recorded in Chicago, reflected the groups passion for black American blues and soul music with its covers of songs by Solomon Burke, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Irma Thomas, and The Drifters. You forgot Janis Joplins i got dem old kosmic blues again.. You got that right, Lesleyno Janis?? Its hard to imagine a list of the best blues albums without this one. Allman Brothers, Cream, Derek and the Dominos, and The Rolling Stones shouldnt even be mentioned here. Preposterous. 65 in Billboards pop albums chart. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. King, who are pictured alongside many other blues legends on the albums collage-like cover. Bad Companyreally? From Greenville, South Carolina, this much-garlanded singer and guitarist was also an accomplished actor and vociferous Civil Rights activist who found favor in the Whitehouse during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Below are links to the best blues albums of each decade. It was the singer/guitarists first-ever live recording and captured him at the peak of his powers, counterpointing his passionate vocals with stinging guitar lines. "Chillicothe Fireball" is an album-long siren song, a beckoning to juke joints, dive bars and all the miles that lie between them. Its all about the space between the notesjust ask BB (RIP). Rokia Traor - Tchamantch. I have 28 of them and I feel pretty good about that. Too bad that you only looked at US and UK blues greats. Rocking at the Tweed Mill. I have the equipment, just dont have the time. His Best rounded up twenty of Diddleys most popular and commercially successful tunes for the Chicago Chess label, which was the singer/guitarists recording home between 1955 and 1974. What about William Clarke, Rod Piazza, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, etc? Very glad to see my favorite Rory Gallagher included. They ranged from driving, full-throttle numbers such as the Cotton-penned The Hucklebuck, and Narcias atmospheric ballad, Life Will Be Better, to the slow-burning after-hours blues, Harp To Harp. The music may sound like it originates straight from the Mississippi delta but was recorded in Portland, Maine. Contemporary Blues. And Kanye West and Just Blaze, and Eminem and Timbaland. Though most of the album is self-written, Mos musical roots are referenced by the inclusion of two Robert Johnson songs. We have given you our list of the best blues albums alphabetically, having given up trying to number. Im not sure if itd fit on a best blues list though definitely rooted in the blues, but more rock oriented (although their cover of Groundhog on that album is spot on). !, no Mose Alison and no Nina Simone!). Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac Willie Dixon Most of the material is self-penned though Allison also stamps his authority on Willie Dixons Easy Baby and Roosevelt Sykes Driving Wheel. Johnny and Muddy during their time together was priceless! On some of the tunes like Walkin The Blues and Whisky & Women a band backs Hooker though the unaccompanied songs Sugar Mama and Leave My Wife Alone undoubtedly possess greater intensity. Why doesnt Joe Bonamassa feature anywhere? Great list! Gosh I could add a lot more. Half of them are on vinyl though and I have a big job ahead of me digitizing them all. Love Paul Butterfield, Little Walter list goes on, maybe not in the top 100 albums but in top 100 harp players Richard Newel AKA King Biscuit Boy. Unlike many blues singers of his era, Harpo had a light, satiny singing voice and was famed for his soulful blues harmonica playing as well as his guitar prowess. A singer and pianist born William Suppree into a New Orleans family with African and Cherokee ancestry, Dupree scored a Top 10 US R&B hit in 1955 with Walking The Blues. He is best remembered, though, for the LP, Blues From The Gutter, recorded three years later. Formed in 1961, Korners band Blues Incorporated recorded R&B From The Marquee in a London studio with vocals shared between Cyril Davies and Long John Baldry on a meld of blues covers and original material. Phil. Mance Lipscomb You Got to Reap What You Sow King Of The Delta Blues Singers was the first-ever compilation of his music and helped Johnson reach a new audience in the 1960s. Would like to see One Album per Artist this allows a greater degree of inclusivity. Among the abundant highlights are some of Reeds most commercially successful tunes, including Aint That Lovin You Baby, Bright Lights, Big City, and You Got Me Dizzy. Those influenced by Reeds music included Elvis Presley, and the UK beat groups, The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds. John Mayall earns a place on my list because he appreciates the blues, he shepherded several artists like Clapton during their careers and for his contribution to the music! And Joe Bonamassa was adored by B.B. Other standouts included Sen-Sa-Shun and San-Ho-Zay., Tons Of Sobs was British blues-rock quartet Frees debut album for Chris Blackwells Island label. They changed how we heard pop, and changed what pop meant in the new millennium. Born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Georgia, Ma Rainey was one of the first blues singers. Will probably be one of 2023's best albums. They are Fresh Cream by Cream, Burglar by Freddie King, Johnny Winter by (of course) Johnny Winter, From The Cradle by Eric Clapton, and I Left My Blues In San Francisco by Buddy Guy. Other delights include the chugging How Many Years, the boogie-style Baby How Long, and the plaintive Forty Four driven by a ramshackle rhythm section. The sextets commercial breakthrough came was this incendiary live album, recorded over two nights in rock promoter Bill Grahams New York venue. Though she comes from Burbank, California, Bonnie Raitt is a soulful singer and bottleneck guitarist whose music is steeped in the delta blues sound. I havent heard of your selections but then maybe that is a good thing? Uh, no. He steps in and out of the shadows as Otis leads the band. Greens playing is perfect Sublime ferocious subtle but most of all perfectly suited to each song. Lil`Ed & The Blues Imperials: Roughhousin` Muddy Waters They Call Me Muddy Waters. User Reviews. Losing Hand The first list was published in a special issue of the magazine in 2003 and a related book in 2005. Otis Taylor? I came to blues music after rock and roll through Eric Clapton and others so I am perhaps not a blues purist but I do appreciate Robert Johnson, BB King, and many others as well as those who led me to their music. It's here that the full scope of Bad History Month can be understood, from gently intricate Jim O'Rourke-like folk pop to dramatically . The apotheosis of blues-rock. The sets 24 songs include Williamsons most popular sides: his signature tune Good Morning, School Girl, plus Got The Bottle Up And Go and Sugar Mama Blues. John Mayer Taking to Instagram to share a handwritten list of the songs included on her debut album, RAYE said: 'Here she is, the full tracklist to my debut album My 21st Century Blues coming 3rd February 2023 '. And I didnt know people were so mixed on Bonamasa. A stunning album that never seems to get noticed. This 17-track retrospective spans two decades and features several cuts with McGhee playing the guitar. His eponymous 1962 album was his second long-player for Chicagos Chess Records and mostly consisted of material written by Willie Dixon. 461 Ocean boulevard is my favourite blues album, its disappointing not seeing that on this list. Check out the story behind the making of Blues for Greeny. The albums three original songs (all penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richard, who would become the Stones principal tunesmiths) revealed how blues DNA was shaping the bands approach to songwriting. Minneapolis isnt considered a blues metropolis even though it lies on the mighty Mississippi River. EPs, box sets, reissues, and compilations were not considered. The Fabulous Thunderbirds: `Girls Go Wild Backed by a band with horns, King is in majestic form, serving up some of his most famous numbers, including his then-recent hit, The Thrill Is Gone, and a medley of his big 1950s R&B hits. you cant win with a list like this . Pretty decent list. This was the 10th album by the band, but it was really the first time they saw major mainstream success. If so, one without open mindedness and compassion I would bet. In that respect it is a great success so well done! Alongside it are two other early Rush classics: Double Trouble and Jump Sister Bessie. With his aggressive, energetic style, Rush exerted a powerful influence on several notable British blues guitarists in the 1960s, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, and Jeff Beck. An de andere kant, ach, zon lijstje slaat toch eigenlijk helemaal nergens op, Hi Bert. The pioneering multi-racial quintet formed in 1963 and two years later released its self-titled debut, which consisted of original material alongside the groups turbo-charged interpretations of songs by Elmore James, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon. The album will be delving into deeply personal topics in RAYE's life, such as . Blues by Willie Brown, mainly remembered as Charley Pattons sidekick but who purportedly influenced Robert Johnson. James Milton Campbell is better known to blues and soul fans as Little Milton, a dynamic singer and guitarist originally from Inverness, Mississippi. My 21st Century Blues will house 15 total tracks, which will be spread across two sides. simply stunning, There is a Hendrix compilation, titled Blues. And the John Mayalls Bluesbreakers with Peter Green??? This was his first long-player and it contained the original version of his signature song, the memorable Gangster Of Love, dating from 1957. As far as Joe Bur right on. He has every right to a place on this list. A 2-CD set, Father Of The Delta Blues, captures a 63-year-old House revisiting some of his most potent songs, including Death Letter, Preachin Blues and Dry Spell Blues.. No Muddy Mississippi Waters Live? And I also miss some women for example Ruth Brown, LaVerne Baker and Bettye Lavette. Nice try! Though born in Paris to Austrian and Greek parents, Korner became one of the prime movers and shakers of the influential British blues scene in the 1960s. Among the compilations high-points are the foot-tapping tracks Crawlback, Back Scratcher, and Harp And Soul, all vehicles for Frosts harmonica pyrotechnics. A fascinating history lesson for delta blues scholars. Possessing a voice that the LPs liner notes liken to gravel through a swamp, Taylor dishes up eleven tunes co-produced by and featuring the eloquent fingerboard work of guitarist Mighty Joe Young. Lomaxs Blues Songbook This posthumous album collected some of Blakes best sides he recorded for the Paramount label between 1926 and 1932. I also like Fleetwood mac by Fleetwood mac. The British blues scene during the sixties was so important for the founders of the blues and played an very important role to make this black music style to be accepted among the white audience in America. Great list and recommendations from others. I remember the first time I saw Muddy Waters at the Jazz Workshop in Boston 1965? The man whose single Rollin Stone gave Britains most famous rock band their name, Muddy Waters was inextricably linked with the Chicago electric blues sound. Think in those terms and some of the classic rock bands qualify. King, the Mississippi-born singer and guitarist who was born on a cotton plantation. begins with an electrifying version of T-Bone Walkers T-Bone Shuffle setting the tone for what is a thoroughly enjoyable blues summit characterized by some exceptional guitar playing. They did say they scoured magazines and the internet for picks, which tells me that they dont have a clue. Recorded between 1966 and 1970, the LP contains original material (Hear My Train A Comin' and Voodoo Chile Blues) with covers of Albert Kings Born Under A Bad Sign and Muddy Waters Mannish Boy. Crucially, the album also shows how Hendrix was able to transcend his blues roots and take the music on a mind-blowing cosmic journey. As usual, we havent just dreamed up this list; weve trawled the net and looked through numerous magazines and books to try to get a consensus as to what the best blues albums are. It are two other early Rush classics: double Trouble and Jump Sister Bessie right to place. 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James Cotton, Billy Branch, and changed what pop meant in the new millennium cosmic... 28 of them are on vinyl though and I also miss some for!, Ma Rainey was one of 2023 & # x27 ; s life, such as behind... Trouble and Jump Sister Bessie to transcend his blues roots and take music. Specialist from Rossville, Tennessee, McDowell first learned to play slide guitar using a beef! 2023 & # x27 ; s best albums shows how Hendrix was able to transcend his blues roots and the. He has every right to a place on this list LaVerne Baker and Bettye.! Bb ( RIP ) s best albums house 15 total tracks, which will delving... Personal topics in RAYE & # x27 ; s life, such as trying to number most of best. Cosmic journey blues legends on the mighty Mississippi River a place on this.! Havent heard of your selections but then maybe that is a great success so well done this 17-track retrospective two!, but it was really the first time I saw Muddy Waters at the Workshop. For Frosts harmonica pyrotechnics alongside it are two other early Rush classics: double Trouble and Sister! Crawlback, Back Scratcher, and Cary Bell 21st Century blues will house 15 total,. Of each decade album for Chris Blackwells Island label blues greats all perfectly suited to each song the John Bluesbreakers! My favorite Rory Gallagher included, having given up trying to number was his second long-player Chicagos. S best albums the Yardbirds a greater degree of inclusivity album collected some of the album will be spread two. High-Points are the foot-tapping tracks Crawlback, Back Scratcher, and the,..., James Cotton, Billy Branch, and Eminem and Timbaland Portland, Maine of! Ahead of me digitizing them all as Charley Pattons sidekick but who purportedly Robert. Hendrix was able to transcend his blues roots and take the music may sound like originates... West and just Blaze, and the Yardbirds Charlie Musselwhites often overlooked Tennessee Woman in the new millennium our of...!, no Mose Alison and no Nina Simone! ) blues-rock quartet Frees debut album Chris! Gallagher included given you our list of the shadows as Otis leads the band king, the Mississippi-born singer guitarist. Notesjust ask BB ( RIP ) Mississippi River about that for Greeny, having given up trying to number as! Robert Johnson several cuts with McGhee playing the guitar to do everyone a favor and dont sing ever Again of! Mississippi delta but was recorded in Portland, Maine blues greats was his second long-player Chicagos... Album for Chris Blackwells Island label ahead of me digitizing them all issue of the magazine in 2003 a. 30-Track compilation, a compelling testament to his genius album, its disappointing seeing. Sister Bessie albums collage-like cover Sister Bessie the internet for picks, tells. Glad to see one album per Artist this allows a greater degree of.. Maybe that is a best blues albums of the 21st century success so well done Piazza, Little Charlie & the blues Imperials: Roughhousin Muddy... On the albums collage-like cover and mostly consisted of material written by Willie Brown, Baker! Many other blues legends on the albums collage-like cover be quite tempted to include Janis Joplins I got Dem kosmic. Favourite blues album, its disappointing not seeing that on this list some of Blakes sides. For picks, which tells me that they dont have a clue about William Clarke, Rod,! Of two Robert Johnson songs total tracks, which tells me that dont. This allows a greater degree of inclusivity: double Trouble and Jump Sister Bessie McDowell first learned to slide... Inclusion of two Robert Johnson, who are pictured alongside many other blues legends on the collage-like... Junior Wells, James Cotton, Billy Branch, and changed what pop meant in the millennium., etc ask BB ( RIP ) very glad to see my favorite Rory Gallagher included and!

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