The Best Blues Music Collections
Check out our top picks for the best blues music collections. From classic to modern, these albums are essential listening for any fan of the genre.
Best Electric Blues Albums
The best electric blues albums are a great way to enjoy the blues. They offer a wide variety of music that can be enjoyed by all. Electric blues is a great way to relax and enjoy the music.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble-Texas Flood
Texas Flood is the debut studio album by American electric blues band Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, released on June 13, 1983 by Epic Records. Vaughan wrote five of the ten tracks on the album. The song “Love Struck Baby” was originally recorded by Buddy Guy in 1963. Along with “Rude Mood”, both songs have become cultural staples and remain two of Vaughan’s most popular songs. “Pride and Joy” became Vaughan’s signature song and among the most enduring Vaughan compositions. It peaked at number 38 on Billboard’s Black Albums chart and number 32 on the pop chart. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1986 for shipments of one million copies in the United States. Texas Flood ranked number422 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and is often cited as one of the greatest debut albums in music history.
Albert Collins-Cold Snap
This is one of the best electric blues albums, and features some of the most talented musicians in the genre. The album was released in 1986, and includes tracks such as ‘Frosty’, ‘Bullfrog Blues’, and ‘Lonesome’.
Buddy Guy-Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues
Buddy Guy released his fifth studio album, entitled “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues” in 1991. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. It features the song “Feels Like Rain”, which was co-written by Guy and John Mayall. The album also features the song “Five Long Years”, which was written by Eddie Boyd and originally released in 1952.
Best Contemporary Blues Albums
While the blues might have originated in the Mississippi Delta, the genre has been adopted and reinterpreted by artists all over the world. Contemporary blues music takes the genre in new and exciting directions, while still paying homage to the traditions of the past. Here are some of the best contemporary blues albums out there.
Shemekia Copeland-Turn the Heat Up
Shemekia Copeland’s album Turn the Heat Up is one of the best contemporary blues albums. It was released in 2012 and she won a Blues Music Award for it in 2013. The album features 11 tracks, all of which were written or co-written by Shemekia.
Some of the standout tracks on the album include “Ain’t Got Time For Hate,” “Take Out Some Insurance,” and ” American Hero.” “Ain’t Got Time For Hate” is a powerful song about overcoming hatred and discrimination, while “Take Out Some Insurance” is a catchy tune about being prepared for the worst in life. “American Hero” is a patriotic song about those who have served in the military.
If you’re a fan of blues music, then you need to check out Shemekia Copeland’s album Turn the Heat Up. It’s one of the best contemporary blues albums out there.
Toronzo Cannon-The Chicago Way
One of the best contemporary blues albums, Toronzo Cannon’s “The Chicago Way” is a modern classic. This talented musician from the Windy City has a profound understanding of what makes the blues great, and he infuses that knowledge into every note he plays. From the opening track, “Bad Avenue,” to the closing number, “Walking by Myself,” Cannon delivers one knockout performance after another. Along the way, he pays tribute to some of the genre’s legends, including Muddy Waters and Otis Rush, while also putting his own unique stamp on the music. If you’re looking for a blues album that perfectly captures the sound and spirit of today’s scene, “The Chicago Way” is it.
Joe Bonamassa-Blues of Desperation
Released in 2016, “Blues of Desperation” is the thirteenth studio album by contemporary blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa. The album reached number one on the Billboard Blues chart and number four on the Billboard 200, making it Bonamassa’s highest-charting studio album to date. “Blues of Desperation” features a mix of original tracks written by Bonamassa and covers of songs by iconic blues artists such as Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, and John Lee Hooker. With its mix of hard-hitting electric blues and more subdued acoustic numbers, “Blues of Desperation” is a showcase for Bonamassa’s virtuosic guitar playing and soulful singing voice.
Best Traditional Blues Albums
The best traditional blues albums offer a wide variety of music that can be enjoyed by everyone. There are many different artists that offer their own unique take on the blues. This type of music is perfect for those who appreciate the history and culture of the music. It is also great for those who simply enjoy the sound of the blues.
B.B. King-One Kind Favor
This collection features B.B. King performing a wide variety of favorites including “Sweet Little Angel,” “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,” and “I Like to Live the Love.” While this may not be the most comprehensive collection of B.B. King’s work, it is an excellent sampler of his traditional blues sound.
Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’-TajMo
The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’-TajMo is one of the best traditional blues albums of our time. It is a perfect blend of Taj Mahal’s mastery of traditional blues and Keb’ Mo’s contemporary style. The result is a truly unique and powerful album that will stand the test of time.
Mavis Staples-Livin’ on a High Note
One of the most legendary and influential vocalists of our time returns with an album of brand new songs written for her by an all-star cast of contemporary artists including Ben Harper, Neko Case, Tune-Yards, Benjamin Booker, and Aloe Blacc, among others. “If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)” is a Stax Records-worthy groove penned by Ben Harper that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on one of Mavis’s classic albums with The Staples Singers. “Love And Trust” is a message song co-written by Mavis and Jeff Tweedy that would fit snugly on one of Wilco’s late great albums. Features 14 tracks in all.
To paraphrase the great Nina Simone, Mavis Staples has been an artist for all seasons and reasons. Ms. Simone also once referred to Mavis as “the reincarnation of Mahalia Jackson.” Both statements ring true when you consider the span of Mavis’s career which began nearly 60 years ago when she was just a teenager singing and touring with her family as The Staple Singers. Over the intervening decades she has been a solo artist, backbone vocalist for The Band, guest star on numerous albums by other artists (including Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Neil Young), Acting role in Martin Scorsese’s documentary about The Last Waltz (The Band’s final concert before disbanding), subject of Wim Wenders’ documentary about her life (Mavis!), lead singer with Bob Dylan & His Band on his legendary 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue Tour. Whew! And that’s just some of what she’s done.
