The 10 Greatest Blues Albums That You Should Hear

[@robertlittle7314]

Muddy Waters' Hard Again is an honorable mention. Everybody's on fire with that album

[@warrengently6418]

I would add Muddy's live album from 1981, also produced by Johnny Winters. That record is an education.

[@imluckyman10]

This was my first thought 👍

[@CuttingEdgetools]

Great List👍 in regards to Electric Blues-I would have to include Paul Butterfield 1st LP 1965’ and East West 1966’. Charlie Musselwhite’s 1st 1967’. Butterfield and Bloomfield joined up 1963’ and were huge traditional Blues musicians and historians. So was Musselwhite’. In early 1960’s when Muddy,Buddy Guy, Wolf and the other notable Black bluesmen & women were in Europe making influence on Clapton and others. Bloomfield,Butterfield,Musselwhite, and few others in America were already producing Blues Albums that had a huge influence. Bear Hite’ from Canned Heat was an Early blues historian. His collection of old Blues recordings is legendary. Of course Johnny winter -progressive Blues experiment’ Album Definitely can be noted as well. Blues Albums from the 1950’s Early 60’s are pretty rare. Stalwarts like B B King,Hooker,Lightning made a ton of Recordings on RPM Label and few other small labels. A lot of those Early sides were repackaged into Albums starting around 1959’ on Rpm,Modern,Kent . The Early 1960s Acoustic Blues Renaissance played big part with the Re Discovery of John Hurt,Bukka White and Skip James.

[@andrewz4537]

Bloomers and Butter were definitely tops. Memphis Charlie's first with Harvey Mandel on guitar is one I got in '67 and got Charlie to autograph about 4 years ago (20?)

[@CuttingEdgetools]

@ awesome. Most folks don’t know who Mandel is. I have Baby Batter’ and few of his early collaborations. Years back picked up Albert’s bad sign LP autographed. Have Musselwhite’s first Album signed . Little Milton’s too. There’s so many great lesser recognized Blues artists. Best! Dwayne

[@billythekid5258]

GOTTA GOTTA GOTTA have some Mike Bloomfield on the list!!!

[@onethumbpicker]

"Fathers & Sons" - A Chess double(half live/half studio) recording of Muddy backed by Otis Spann, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Donald Duck Dunn, Sam Lay and Buddy Miles from 1969. An often-overlooked recording. Also, Johnny Winter's "Progressive Blues Experiment" on Liberty and his 1st Columbia album, both from 1969.

[@lowriderrookie]

Hey Edward, you missed out Hard Again, muddy waters and Johnny winter. That's a must listen album for any blues fan.

[@sirolivermally]

Agreed! Milestone!

[@vicmorrison8128]

Glad your doing this. Blues and depresaion will be having a huge comback

[@vinb1221]

Live at the Regal is #1. The solo on Sweet Little Angel may be the greatest blues solo of all time.

[@Dreadlocks512]

Your list is right on the money. When I saw the notification I thought ouh oh. No way somebody can get this list right but you nailed it. I was glad you included Steve Ray Vaughn. Great list great video great music. Thanks PS. I have to agree with one of you commenters *Live at Fillmore East would be a nice addition. Killer album

[@peteholder7134]

You can't argue with that list Edward. Hard to know which I might discard, but I might have to swap one for West Side Soul by Magic Sam and maybe some Sonny Boy Williamson. I think you forgot that Steve Cropper was also in the Blues Brothers band.

[@rossriddell1515]

The British blues boom of the late 60s, early 70s had much to do with the reinvention of popular blues in the US. Some of those bands that, while maybe not pure blues, deserve a mention include the incomparable Free, Savoy Brown, Taste, early Fleetwood Mac & Robin Trower. So many great bands from that era who never even got a record deal & therefore zero exposure but who were in their own small way influential. I’m 71 now & feel truly blessed to have lived thru the yrs ‘68 - ‘76 when all was right with the world & the music was phenomenal

[@hog7203]

You definitely picked some good ones. Some of my favorites are: - Son Seals " Live and Burning" - Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Robert Cray "Showdown" ( came out in 1985, I think it won a Grammy) - Taj Mahal " The Natch'l Blues" - Muddy Waters "I'm Ready" - Boz Scaggs " Come On Home" - Van Morrison " Too Long in Exile" - John Lee Hooker " Mr. Lucky " and " Chill Out" - Paul Rodgers " Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy Waters ". It's got a lot of amazing guitarists accompanying him on each song.

[@blue-fj9ky]

Thanks, Edward! Your content is awesome.

[@JoeC88]

👍👍

[@wetdog1606]

Lovely vid, some great funny bits - well edited in. Surprised to to see no John Lee Hooker or RL Burnside - but there are so many choices, making a list of 10 is near impossible. Great work.

[@michaeltiffe6341]

Yes Hooker should have been in there somewhere for sure. But 10 is limited for sure

[@HumbleDisciples]

Brother you are the truth. One of my favorite channels bar none. You ain't made a bad video yet.

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Thank You for the Good Suggestions

[@perijon00]

Some of my favorites Burgular - Freddie King Hard Again - Muddy waters Howlin wolf London Sessions Showdown - Albert collins Tbone blues - Tbone Live - Johnny winter From the Cradle - Clapton

[@perijon00]

And The Duane Allman Anthology

[@observed00]

Thanks so much Ed. Half these albums are my favorites ever, and I'm sure the other half, I've just been missing. Thanks again, you're the best. Keep playing and keep recording.

[@nathanielschwartz425]

0:36 I have that album! It’s REALLY good! Great pick! 👍

[@canadiansteve5039]

Ed has lots of respect and talent for American blues music. His streams on Wednesdays are fun.

[@bobski7032]

I was surprised by your age …because of your knowledge blues music ..I’m 22 years your senior….bought my first blues cassette in 82 BB King …just subscribed 🤟🏻🎸

[@realcoyotekings]

Great list. I only missed Albert Collins.

[@brucifer0]

Can't get enough of Howlin Wolf that rocking chair record has more listens than anything in my collection. Never gets old

[@whowahska]

Very nice list. Don't forget the late Peter Green. Fleetwood Mac was much more than a '70s pop band. Check out Peter Green's original Mac, '67-'70. All of it. His guitar and vocals are spooky good, made B.B. King shiver.

[@misdamagoo213]

Pretty darn good list. Would like to have seen Magic Sam 'West Side Soul' slip in there somewhere but hey its all conjecture, opinion & argument ..... rather just enjoy the listen.

[@andychase7693]

I totally agree with you on 'West Side Soul', Magic Sam is fire! 🔥But I would add another Delmark side, 'Hoodoo Man Blues' by Junior Wells, featuring Buddy Guy. Brilliant!

[@paulmakesvideos]

Grat list. I've added some definite "must haves" to my own list. Thanks!

[@clifford7594]

Buddy Guy and Junior Wells Drinkin' TNT 'n' Smokin' Dynamite. All you need.

[@billythekid5258]

THAT'S BLUES, my man!!!!!!

[@bossglebe7613]

Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers deserves a mention. Blistering slide work.

[@KenIn_NH]

Thanks for the awesome list Ed! I think i have 8 of these so time to scrounge up the missing content. I always appreciate lists like this to discover new additions to the library!

[@krysti2]

Well, Ed- I really enjoyed that!!* I love Blues music, and to get such a great list from someone as knowledgeable as you are is amazing. People may not realize, but you are a Professor of music, I believe. It shows- your knowledge is solid. But i can't stop without telling my friends about your Livestreams on Wednesday nights, on KZbin. We have a fun, laid back blast midweek - Ed plays his many guitars, his banjo - whatever comes to mind, singing mainly Delta Blues, but he's known to do some SRV, Jimi and whoever else you can request him to play!* Drinking beer, having a shot or a good Scotch or Irish, laughing and shooting the sh!t, reading our comments, which are slow paced and friendly...and telling his great stories. Lots of technical stuff about guitars, strings, amps and tuning - it's just like getting to hangout with your buddies down at your local pub...but you don't have to drive home. Come check it out this Wednesday at 8. See ya there😂 ..

[@donsurlylyte]

a dude whose opinions are worth hearing

[@scottbaker5938]

I am so glad you made this video. Your opinion matters, and now I know what albums to look for to get acquainted with some performers, I've been meaning to get familiar with.

[@mikem668]

Good list. I'd add some Otis Rush and Magic Sam. And you can never have too much Muddy Waters.

[@vincentbuccieri9305]

Dave Mason Played Acoustic Guitar on Watch Tower!

[@johnford7847]

A great little video, Ed. I'm not certain I agree with all your selections, but each of your choices is certainly a great album. Thanks for sharing.

[@sunberst58]

Hey brother i just found your channel, great list!! I'm 59 been playing blues/rock for 40+ years. I started with a huge range of music but my very first love for the blues came by way of Clapton's "Just One Night" and the Stones "Get Your Ya Ya's Out ". Mick Taylor's slide playing on Love in Vain in my opinion is flawless. And i then did a deep dive backwards from there. Albert and Freddie king being my personal favorite 2 blues cats of all time. Then of course Rory Gallagher, the Allman Brothers and more recently i guess the past 15 or 20 years now! Gov't Mule. I think Warren Haynes is a fantastic musician. Anyway, looking forward to checking out your videos and looking forward to your next. "It Ain't Nothing But The Blues" Take care ✌👍🎸

[@johnthrasher8146]

Excellent selections! Thanks for the back stories.

[@casethrower8895]

Great list. I've been listening to most of those for years now. Maybe we could make a rotating Top 10. I don't know what to take out but I would add some Son House. Death Letter Blues needs to be there. Taj Mahal's self titled 1st album would be in my top 10. Hard Again by Muddy Waters breathed new life into the genre. Hooker & Heat, for me, stands at the top of Hooker's work. Peter Green, with both the Peter Green Splinter Group and Fleetwood Mac. Can't leave Rory Gallagher off! And this is just off the top of my head!

[@jedsparks7324]

👍good list, I know you can only have 10 but I would include Son House, JD Short, Rl Burnside & J. Lee Hooker

[@geoffreypiltz271]

Can't fault the selection. Can I add Hound Dog Taylor and R.L. Burnside?

[@juke699]

Exceptional list Ed -- Think you should do the next 10, one that should be included John Mayall's Hard Road with Peter Green on guitar...

[@celebrationcelebration6476]

Yes to Peter Green / John Mayall. What about Dr Dunbar's Prescription-Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation. Aynsley was the drummer on the Hard Road album.

[@MikeMaselli-p6y]

Pretty damn good list! Thank you!

[@stephensuddick1896]

Essential albums for sure. The Blues album I listen to most regularly is "Buddy Guy & Junior Wells Play The Blues."

[@Ron-Swanson]

Cool video brother, great list.

[@br549b7]

Hard list to crack. A couple of honorable mentions are the first albums by Canned Heat and Taj Mahal.

[@48king24]

Well thought out list.

[@joandtomx1483]

Great selections, man !

[@tonetone7572]

Thanks for including T-Bone on Atlantic and absolutely essential record..T-Bone being the father on the Texas blues and all those big names from the Chicago West and South Side - Buddy Guy , Otis Rush and countless others.. I would include Albert Kings' "Live Wire Blues Power" album from the Fillmore West 1968 every AK lick SRV knows is on that record.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

Nice job....paying respect.... Clapton was the first to use a Marshall and a Les Paul for that sound....I'd say the ABB were a blues band too....

[@JAYFD2929]

Need something from early Fleetwood Mac with the great Peter Green playing blues (in my humble opinion, the greatest British blues guitarist of the 1960s). Gary Moore is another vastly underrated British blues player.

[@leftchicago]

Great job, Edward. I'm proud to say I own all but two of those. I did have Live at Newport on cassette but it got jammed in the machine!

[@tonybekx2891]

Dang!

[@TooLooze]

I chose a different album or two, but you nailed the era and the artists.

[@carlcontrera1699]

Solid list, but I'd throw in "The Howlin' Wolf London Sessions" with the cream of British blues artists. The cut "Red Rooster (with the false start)" is worth the whole album.

[@jacksampsonforever]

Great list. Glad all 3 Kings made it on to the list.

[@RogerThat902]

Agreed!

[@andrewz4537]

I didn't count but I've got most of these and had many of them since the 60s. Needless to say I agree with most of your picks.

[@jimsliverootsculturemusic]

Great list plus I learned a few things. For BB King live, please check out Blues Is King! No organ malfunction and the singing and playing is my favorite. Small combo really features BB.

[@robertbogdan7058]

I'm a guitarist too so I approve of you picking guitar albums. But (you knew there was a 'but' coming) Little Walter was arguably the greatest blues soloist. He needs at least an honorable mention.

[@Helo_rides_for_commies]

What do you think of the Koko Taylor album, Queen of the Blues (Alligator Records)? I love it.

[@vicmorrison8128]

Passed by a bar she used to play and wish I could have made the time to see her. A bar in Palatine Illinois.

[@tonybekx2891]

Oh Yes!

[@JoeC88]

Thank you Edward 👍👍

[@javtah]

Great share, thanks!

[@davidmiller4078]

Goof stuff mate i pretty much concur with your selection cheers from Scotland

[@georgegonzalez1996]

Very good list,the only one I would swap out is the Hendrix album and replace it with Paul Butterfield’s first album.

[@Nonexistanthuman]

Thanks for sharing with us

[@alexbowman7582]

I DL’d a Lightnin’ Hopkins live album called Mojo Hand same as a studio album of his. It’s very good but he sounds drunk and jokingly argues with audience members. He tunes his guitar whilst playing a tune. At the break he says to the audience “that’ll hold you to I get back Sugar Puss.

[@user-ts1fp4nm9y]

Otis Rush- Live at the Wise Fools Pub.

[@stevendreith4343]

I didn't have all the albums, but had all the artists. A very subjective topic which was handled pretty decently. My only gripe is how did you leave out Paul Butterfield? The first blues show that I was at featured Jefferson Airplane, Big Mama Thornton, and Paul Butterfield. That show at the Fillmore, tuned me into a blues fan forever and I still play four albums by them regularly. To rub it in a little bit, at the Fillmore, I saw Albert King, John Mayall, and Jimi Hendrix play the same night.

[@craigmack-cv3cp]

He saved the best for last 💕

[@PeterMoore-q6e]

Great list Edward! How about best female blues album? As a contemporary album I’d pick Susan Tedeschi’s Just Won’t Burn, 1998. 🔥

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

Stream WXRT radio on Audacy. Blues Breakers Sunday nights 9-10. All the best Chicago Blues.

[@VitalBigras]

GREAT ANALYSIS 👌🏼

[@halbertking2683]

When the aliens land , I'm gonna tell em to check out Edwards album collection . You can't loose when you play the blues .

[@dwaynewladyka577]

I'd say that this is a great list of blues albums. Cheers!

[@jeandejazz6426]

Buddy Guy Stone crazy, any live John Lee hooker album, Son Seals, The Son Seals blues band, Otis Rush, So many roads,Jimmy Dawkins: can't shake these blues, Koko Taylor: I got what it takes, Luther Allison: love me mama, any live J.B. Hutto album, Little Ed and the blues Imprerials: Get Wild! Buddy Guy and Junior Wells: Snatch it back and hold it. And many more. That list should be 30 records at least !😁

[@mattevans060972]

Great video, thanks Ed!

[@daijones101]

Good call on all of these albums

[@tnekkc]

I remember albert king ~1970 had no roadies. the bass player was doing heavy lifting

[@LBNLDC1]

Live Wire/Blues Power from Albert King Stone Crazy from Buddy Guy Live at the Mocambo SRV Third Degree by Johnny Winter Captured Live is mostly rock but features the epic slow blues Sweet Papa John

[@bobadams9919]

great list! -- how bout mike bloomfield w/paul botterfield blues band, and peter greene?

[@comparedtowhat2638]

Did you consider Big Bill Broomzy. Champion Jack Dupree or, Professor Long Hair? Dupree and Longhair were piano players though. Oh, I believe the saying was be therefore be square, probably an offshoot of the question are you standing on the square.

[@liquidsunshine]

you missed "Two Bugs and a Roach", Earl Hooker, and that's a pity

[@michaelismichael4640]

True. That's the shit!!! I was going to suggest some of Skip James's stuff when he was rediscovered too.

[@LarsonGuitarPlayer]

I agree that Paul Butterfield should be mentioned. I’d also add Fleetwood Mac.

[@raymondpierotti8414]

A solid list, I would have included Hubert Sumlin and Luther Allison to replace Eric Clapton.

[@CosmicKnight1]

Solid. Thanks!

[@bradatube]

Great list but no Buddy Guy?

[@aminahmed2220]

Awesome video have a great weekend

[@TheTray2003]

Great picks! The only album I own is the last one, Live at the Regal - I love those screaming women lolz...!!!

[@ianmcleish6113]

I would have Live On Maxwell Street and Hound Dog Taylor And The HouseRockers in my top 10.

[@Steve-cn3nj]

here are a few you missed: John Lee Hooker , The Legendary Modern Recordings Elmore James , King of the Slide Guitar Memphis Slim, At the Gate of Horn T-Bone Walker, The Complete Capitol/ Black and White Recordings Slim Harpo, The Best of Paul Butterfield Blues Band, East-West B.B. King , Live in Japan (Hands down a better live recording than At the Regal) Junior Wells, Hoodoo Man Blues Champion Jack Dupree, Blues from the Gutter Duke Robillard, Blue Mood Big Joe Turner, The Very Best Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter Jimmy Rogers, Chicago Bound Little Walter, Hate to See You Go Taj Mahal, The Natch´l Blues

[@DecentHeathenmusic]

Learning so much from ya man

[@maxwellbowden9961]

Yeah great stuff. The first Taj Mahal album ranks up there too, for me 😊

[@johntanner9787]

Great list. How bout Blind Willie McTell The Early Years.Amazed first time hearing it.

[@haroldsmith130]

Thanks, very nice. I hate to seem critical, in light of your great contribution, but where are the ladies?

[@johnthorburn3712]

Awesome, thank you.

[@blue-fj9ky]

You are not short of great ideas for videos but here is one of mine: Texas blues greats. T Bone, Lightnin Hopkins, Clarence Brown, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray, Jimmie Vaughn, Billy Gibbons, Freddy King, Steve Miller, 13th Floor Elevators, Sir Douglas Quintet...

[@-Pol-]

Before I watch beyond 25s - my guesses are: - Robert Johnson - King Of The Delta Blues 1961 (Rec 1937) - Howlin Wolf - Moanin In The Moonlight - 1958 - John Lee Hooker - House Of The Blues - 1959 - BB King - Live At The Regal - 1965 - Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign - 1967 - Muddy Waters - Hard Again - 1977 Special mention to John Mayal and The Blues Breakers "Beano" album 1966

[@-Pol-]

Wow, I'd never heard of the Hendrix blues album - that's going straight on tomorrow morning's listen list. I love that clip from his acoustic video, it was a revelation to me to see what a sweet, shy guy he was when he was relaxed and happy and lucid.

[@weika1000]

Thanks for this one! Even I´m broken hearted (of course). Love to hear from John Lee Hooker (maybe even the iconic Hooker´n Heat Album). Missed Fred Mc Dowell and some other dudes from the Hill Country. Elmore James? Lightnin´ Hopkins? Wouldn´t be shy to ask for even Rory Gallagher.... or Son House, or...... Just make another Video, or two, is what I actually wanna say...

[@douglasnoren3348]

Johnny Winter…….Progressive Blues Experiment!

[@Stlie1]

Muddy Waters' Hard Again record produced by Johnny Winters would be on my list. This list is very classic Blues, so nothing experimental like any of Chris Whitley's brilliant releases.

[@kolchak357]

Newport is a great selection, but I much prefer Muddy Mississippi Waters live. Great list overall. 🤘

[@hughdengler8801]

Hard Again by Muddy. If you're leaving that album out of a top 10 blues albums, you really need to make it a top 11 list instead

[@mauroman-r2b]

Live at Fillmore East, 1971 by Allman Bros. (greatest live album ever..) must be included. Amen

[@JamesMiller-e2f]

Ya Ya's is the greatest live alblum ever.

[@VCT3333]

Blues Rock though.

[@michaelhernandez439]

Great list for a novice trying to find their way around. Michael Bloomfield acoustic or electric ! Charlie Musselwhite Stand Back album ! Allman Brothers have some good blues. Roy Buchanan! Otis Rush !! Frank Marino ! Elmore James Johnny Winter !!!

[@kjelleriksson5122]

Champion Jack Dupree.