The Best of Blues Based Music
Contents
The Best of Blues Based Music is a site that covers the best in blues based music. From new artists to classic performers, we have the latest news, reviews, and interviews to keep you updated on all things blues based music.
What is the blues?
The blues is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities in the United States around the end of the 19th century. The style is characterized by blue notes, call-and-response patterns, and 12-bar blues chord progressions, and has been adapted to a wide variety of instruments, from the classic guitar-and-harmonica-based blues of the early 20th century to the more contemporary styles of the 1950s and 1960s.
Where did the blues come from?
The origins of the blues are unclear and remain a subject of debate among scholars. The American musicologist and historian W. C. Handy wrote in 1918 that “the blue notes which, according to Mumford, gave rise to the blues in bar-rooms of New Orleans”, may have been inspired by the decaying sounds of heavily plucked string instruments, which he described as “rasping” and ” scratching”, or by “some old negro singing in the gallery of one of those churches”. In 1927, Handy wrote that, although he could not pinpoint the exact birth of the blues, he called the genre’s first shot “the significant moment in recording history”.
The earliest known recordings of anything resembling the blues were made in 1895 by Will René Renehan, a white musician from Mississippi who used slide guitar techniques on an instrument known as a fretless banjo. These recordings, which mainly consisted of folk songs such as “Crazy Blues” and “Don’t You Cry”, were released on cylinder format by the New York Phonograph Company and were only available to black audiences. Other early recordings by black musicians included those made in 1897 by Charles Bodewalt Lampe, a Chicago pianist and composer whose Juba Dance (also known as the Cakewalk) was recorded on Edison cylinders, and those made in 1898 by banjoist George W. Johnson, whose instrumentally accompanied vocal performances were released on discs by Columbia Records.
What are the characteristics of the blues?
The blues is a genre of music that evolved out of African American spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants. It is characterized by its use of the blue note—a flattened third or seventh degree—and a repeating 12-bar chord progression. The form got its name from the “blue notes,” which when sung or played on a guitar or piano, create a “lonesome” sound. The typical blues song consists of three chords—the tonic, subdominant and dominant—and follows a 12-bar structure. The lyrics often tell the story of a hard-luck character who is lamenting his circumstances.
The best of blues based music
Hello, blues based music lovers! This list is for you. We have compiled a list of the best blues based music, ranging from the oldies to the modern hits. Whether you are in the mood for some classic rock or something more contemporary, we have you covered. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the best of blues based music.
The best blues albums of all time
The best blues albums of all time represent the genre in all its forms, from early Delta and country blues to Chicago electric blues and beyond. With so many great artists and so many classic albums, it’s tough to make a definitive Top 10 list. But we’ve done our best, drawing on our extensive knowledge of blues music to create what we believe is the ultimate guide to the best blues albums ever made.
The list includes essential albums by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and more. We’ve also included a few essential compilations for those looking to explore the genre further. So whether you’re a seasoned blues fan or just getting started, this is the perfect place to start your collection.
The best blues songs of all time
The blues is a genre of music that originated in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by its own distinctive form of harmony and rhythm, as well as by the use of specific musical instruments, such as the electric guitar, harmonica, and saxophone. The blues has been a major influence on other genres of music, including jazz and rock and roll.
Some of the best blues songs of all time include:
-“Cross Road Blues” by Robert Johnson
-“Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
-“I Can’t Quit You Baby” by Willie Dixon
-“Spoonful” by Willie Dixon
-“Hoochie Coochie Man” by Muddy Waters
-“I Just Want to Make Love to You” by Muddy Waters
The best blues artists of all time
From Muddy Waters to Stevie Ray Vaughan, the blues has produced some of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time. In this list, we celebrate the greatest blues artists of all time, spanning generations and genres.
Muddy Waters
The father of modern Chicago blues, Muddy Waters (real name McKinley Morganfield) was one of the most important figures in the post-war blues scene. Inspired by the likes of Son House and Howlin’ Wolf, Waters created a unique sound that would go on to influence countless artists, including The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
Howlin’ Wolf
Howlin’ Wolf (real name Chester Arthur Burnett) was another hugely influential figure in the development of the blues. A contemporary of Muddy Waters, Wolf was known for his raw, primal style of singing, which he paired with his trademark guitar sound to create some of the most memorable blues tracks of all time.
B.B. King
B.B. King (real name Riley B. King) is perhaps the most well-known blues artist of all time. A masterful guitarist, King is known for his distinctive “ vibrato ” technique, which gave his playing a unique tonal quality. Over the course of his career, King released dozens of classic songs, including “The Thrill Is Gone” and “When Love Comes to Town”.
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the most influential guitarists of all time, fusing together elements of blues, rock and jazz to create a unique and instantly recognizable style of playing. Sadly, Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in 1990 at the age of 35, but his music continues to inspire guitarists today.