I've really been getting into blues lately. So far, I've been listening to John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, who else am I missing here? I've listened to blues-rock forever (Janis, Canned Heat, etc.), but I'm looking for pure blues. What other blues artists should I listen to???
Mississippi Fred McDowell.... that shit is as down home as it gets... that or you can swing by Laurens, SC on every other thursday night and look for the Chicken Picken' group.... they got featured on that TLC show, Town Haul a while back.... I live 7 miles away, and I've gone a time or two.... Also check out some Bernice Reagan singin' Jacob's Ladder... and maybe some of my favorites.... Howlin' Wolf, my uncle - Tinsley Ellis, and you can even email him (Say that Mac sent you) and he'll reply with a laundry list of his influences... which is as pure a traditional collection of front porch pickin' blues as you can get.... just hit 'em up at www.TinsleyEllis.com.... sign the guestbook, and give it a day or two... or, if you wanna hear some down home, low... and I mean LOW down blues.... hit up some Otis Taylor.... he has a heart-wrenching message, and stories that will shatter your boundaries like no other.... He is, in my book, an angel of the blues tradition..... I even have his cell phone number saved somewhere.... these are real bluesmen.... as well as myself, but these men are contactable professionals... don't be shy... be honest.... and you'll see the mysteries of blues music unfold before your very eyes.... Peace, and good huntin'....
Oh man, theres plenty of different styles out there to listen to that you'll be researching for quite some time. Seamonster and Blackdog made excellent recommendations. Having written many a blues articles, I have found through research that there are many different regional styles out there. Texas blues, Chicago electric blues, Mississippi delta, traditional, boogie woogie, and the list goes on. Haha,...once Orsino finds this thread your plate will be overflowing in abundance! Enjoy!
B.B. King Freddie King Albert King Son House Elmore James T-Bone Walker Otis Rush Willie Dixon Little Walter Magic Sam Sonny Boy Williamson II Junior Wells J.B. Lenior Big Bill Broonzy John Mayall's BluesBreakers Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac Paul Butterfield Blues Band Johnny Winter Rory Gallagher Stevie Ray Vaughan Just a few there to get you started.. :H
I was thinking the same thing. I hope he finds it soon, because I'm dying for all the suggestions I can get! And I know he's one well-informed blues afficionado (did I spell that correctly?).
AcidQueen, do you play blues also? Just wondering? I am more into electric rock/blues,...I like to call it Chicago blues. Buddy Guy, Fenton Robinson, Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, Eddie King, etc. True, some were not born in the Windy City but came here during the black migration of the 30's-50's or perhaps later. But their style influenced many a young musician. Well, you are getting many great suggestions, so enjoy. We have alot of blues 'afficionado's' here!
I play a bit of blues. After listening to Muddy Waters for the first time, I picked up a book on blues guitar, and read it right away. But I wouldn't say I play it well. Oh well, I'll practice til I get it right!
along with muddy, there is always howling wolf and al king for postwar players. Postwar Chicago blues, tasty indeed. As for older blues... Robert Johnson is a good place to look, my fave this week has been Skip James. Tampa Red, Memphis Slim, Leadbelly, all prewar guitar/singer performers. female vocals is one of my faves as well.. Bessie Smith was who Janis idolized Lil Johnson was the first woman to sing on a record with Blues in the title Mama Thornton Sarah Vaughn Billie Holiday Koko Taylor Hafta look at different styles of blues too. Prewar, postwar, chicago, delta, st louis, jump blues, swing blues, barrelhouse piano, man there are a ton of styles and all good! It depends on what one prefers.
Depends on if you like true traditional blues. John Hurt is really raw....its true down home Mississippi blues. One of the best things to do is to explore all avenues and find out what you really like. You never know,....you may like them all!!! Then you'd be a true blues fan. Hey,....keep playin that guitar....you may leave your music, but music will never leave you.
Keb Moe, Son House, Bessie Smith, Taj Mahal, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Bro's, Marcus Miller, Robert Cray, Odetta. Also check out www.pbs.org/theblues or www.thebluesonline.com
yea Taj mahal is the shit, i got to see him while i was tripping at the Philadelphia folk fest. He's played there a few times, i think, and i think he's playing there this year too? maybe that's just a rumor but i wouldnt doubt it.
