9 Responses to “What is a good starting point for blues music?”

1. Sam S, on February 25th, 2010 at 9:21 pm Said:

   Robert Johnson
   Muddy Waters
   John Lee Hooker
   Stevie Ray Vaughan
   Billie Holiday
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2. joe.attaboy, on February 25th, 2010 at 9:52 pm Said:

   I’ll mention some different ones from the above answer:

   Willie Dixon
   Son House
   Watermelon Slim
   B.B. King (especially his older material)
   Albert King
   Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee

   Enjoy.
   References :

3. Wire & String, on February 25th, 2010 at 10:20 pm Said:

   some picks with a recomended first album:

   Howlin Wolf- his best chess years
   Mississippi John Hurt- complete 1928 okeh
   Junior Wells- hoodoo man blues
   Hound Dog Taylor- natural boogie
   Taj Mahal- taj mahal
   Koko Taylor- i got what it takes
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4. Cdude591, on February 25th, 2010 at 10:34 pm Said:

   Johnny copeland.
   Paul butterfield Blues band.
   Matt "guitar" murphy.
   Memphis slim.
   Buddy guy.
   Lowell Fulsom.
   Robert Cray.

   THE BEST BLUES ALBUM IN THE WORLD.

   Riding with the King-B.B King and Eric Clapton.
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5. michael f, on February 25th, 2010 at 11:21 pm Said:

   bb king
   albert king
   jimi hendrix
   eric clapton
   buddy guy
   chuck berry
   References :

6. Ice A, on February 26th, 2010 at 12:05 am Said:

   The best way to appreciate and feel the music lyrics and, instrumental beauty of blues visualize the story that is being expressed you need to do some research on the the blues.like the Mississippi delta blues,Chicago blues Texas blues and so on . because when you do the Research you will be drawn to a specific musician and than you will appreciate it. No one can give you that answer. each musician is like a an ingredient in a delicious soup in a cold winters day!
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7. jaffarooni, on February 26th, 2010 at 12:25 am Said:

   Maybe you should start with the blues artists that originated in the Delta area:
   Son House
   Charlie Patton
   Robert Johnson
   Mississippi Fred McDowell
   Muddy Waters

   Rather than give you albums by each of the above, most of the other guys above recommended the obvious ones, try the following:
   An album and DVD by Kenny Wayne Shepherd called "10 days out, blues from the backroads" and a very easy to read book co-written by ex-rolling stone Bill Wyman called "Blue Odyssey"

   You are about to embark on a wonderful musical journey that will take you down many paths and will also give you hours of enjoyment. You will find that the roots of the blues stretch far and wide.

   The best advice I can give you is go hear the music played live. There are some excellent young bands that perform live in small venues on a regular basis. Try Ian Siegal and when he is next over from the USA, Bob Brozman. (both have good web sites)
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8. stratplayer1967, on February 26th, 2010 at 1:10 am Said:

   Wow, there is not better place to start.

   Myself, I started with BB King because I liked his style of guitar playing, that took me to Buddy Guy cuz they’re from the same era, which led me to Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, et al…which led me to Hubert Sumlin, which led me to Robert Jr Lockwood, which led me to Robert Johnson, which brought me right back around to Clapton, which led me to SRV, which took me to Albert King, which started the whole process over again….

   To really experience blues, go see it live. There are still a few of the old guys like Buddy and BB that tour regularly, or some local acts in the pub across the street.
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9. Jay R, on February 26th, 2010 at 1:55 am Said:

   Good question man, it’s good to see your taking interest in best genre of music. Some Good artists that will help draw ya in and make you fall in love with the blues are as follows…
   1. Obviously gotta go with B.B. King
   2. Jimi Hendrix for a more psychedelic Blues sound
   3.Alot of early Rolling Stones blues is great
   4.Cream the best blues trio ever!
   5. Jeff Beck for blues virtuosity
   6. John Mayalls Bluesbreakers

   Some awesome albums are:
   1.Disraeli Gears by Cream
   2.Out of Our heads- The Stones
   3. Riding with the King- B.B. King with Eric Clapton
   4.Beck Bogert & Appice- Beck Bogert & Appice
   5. Albert Collins-Ice Picker
   6. Muddy Waters at newport 1960
   Hope you can check these out
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