Calling Blues Lovers

[BluesDaddy]

Are there any other blues lovers floating around Head-fi? To tie this in with the thread on "top three guitarists", I thought I would float my list of ten favorite (note I didn't write "best") blues guitarists:

1) BB King (of course)
2) Albert King
3) Buddy Guy
4) Hubert Sumlin ( Howlin' Wolf's guitarist)
5) UP Wilson (Texas guitarist who was a huge influence on SRV)
6) Magic Slim
7) Freddie King
8) Otis Rush
9) Jimmy Dawkins
10) Magic Sam

Not really in order of preference, but these guys are all great, and these are only post WWII Chicago (okay, with a bit of Texas thrown in). Any other favorites out there? Any preferences to the headphones you use to listen to different blues artists?

 

[bln]

John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson.

 

[m0nKeY bUsiNeSs]

Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and T-bone Walker are some good ones that haven't been mentioned yet.

 

[jmzzz01]

I always thought Johnny Winter was really something back in the '70s, but he sorta lost his edge after a while.

Luther Allison is another that has to be mentioned if you're talking about Chicago Blues. That guy could really wail.

 

[BluesDaddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmzzz01 I always thought Johnny Winter was really something back in the '70s, but he sorta lost his edge after a while. Luther Allison is another that has to be mentioned if you're talking about Chicago Blues. That guy could really wail.

How could I have forgotten Luther?!! Absolutely stunning guitarist and a good vocalist as well.

I actually thought Winter's later stuff was a tad better, more restrained and emotional than his earlier. You know, with blues guitar it's not how many notes you play but how you play them! That said, Winter was another big influence on my seeking out blues originals. Johnny Winter And and the Live LP from the early seventies - still have 'em.

Oh, and my list was only post WWII electric guitarists. We could talk all day about the many wonderful "acoustic" players. Frankly, for emotional impact, no one moves me more than Son House, who was also a killer player in his prime.

 

[usc goose]

I'm partial to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Jimi played some sick blues.

 

[tattoou2]

Joe Bonamassa plays a wicked guitar. He's worth a listen.

 

[mojoman]

Here are a few of my favorites:

Albert Collins - He had the sting and the tone. The Master of the Telecaster for sure.

Walter Trout - Played with John Lee Hooker, replaced Bob Hite in Canned Heat and was a Bluesbreaker for five years before going on his own. See him live, his performances are jaw dropping. Next best thing would be to get a copy of his new concert dvd Relentless.

Otis Rush - For me, it's a toss up between Rush and Buddy Guy for the current king of Chicago blues.

Luther Allison - Already mentioned above but I love Luther. I got to meet him once in a bar in Memphis. I cried the day he died.

Buddy Guy - See Otis Rush.

Jimmy Thackery - Blues rocker extraordinair. Many years with the Nighthawks and The Drivers. He doesn't get the recognition he should. His first cd with the Drivers, Empty Arms Hotel is smokin'.

Melvin Taylor - Huge in Europe and starting to catch on a bit in the States. He can play jazz or blues equally well. Check out the cd Dirty Pool on the Evidence label for a good sampling.

Eric Sardinas - A blues rocker who understands rock and blues and how to blend the two.

Bernard Allison - The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Tinsley Ellis - One of the best sets of blues I've ever heard was at a Tinsley Ellis show. This guy is way underrated.

Duane Allman - Duane could play some blues.

These are just few I like. There are many more.

 

[Veto]

Although he might have slipped somewhat from the pure blues path.
Robert Cray has a great voice and I love his guitar work, really has
to work it hard with his 'tone'.