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50 Greatest Blues Albums Of All Time
The Warped Vinyl Aficionado offers its opinion about the "50 Greatest Blues Albums of All Time" with the understanding that music is very personal and subjective to the listener. Our opinion is based on many factors, and we'd be lying if we did not admit that bias plays a role. Bias plays a role in every list compiled anywhere. However, we balanced our bias through the consideration of other factors such as commercial success, influence on the industry, creative breakthroughs, the social and political era in which the music was recorded, quality of the performance, song writing, others’ opinions (i.e., Rolling Stone, Acclaimed Music, All About Jazz, AllMusic, Billboard, Spin, Wikipedia, etc.), the ability to withstand the test of time, and more.
We ask that you consider the list below and if anything piques your interest, give it a listen. You just may find a gem that you overlooked or did not give the time of day because your own biases got in the way. Release your biases, no matter how they were created, as you ponder the list and stretch yourself to explore something new and quite possibly amazing. Want to learn more about other genres? Visit The 200 Greatest Albums of All Time.
1. Moanin’ In The Moonlight: Howlin’ Wolf
1959 Chess Records
Howlin’ Wolf's Moanin' in the Moonlight was his first album, but not his first recording. Chess Records released the compilation album in 1959, long after Wolf had established himself as a blues singing phenomenon. The record contains songs previously released as singles. The album includes the single Smokestack Lightning, which is Howlin' Wolf's most popular and critically acclaimed songs. Rolling Stone ranked Moanin' in the Moonlight number 477 on list of "the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".
2. Live in Cook County Jail: B.B. King
1971 ABC Records
B. B. King is regarded by many as the literal King of the blues. Like many at the time, King was struggling with the social and civil rights issues that plagued America. One of which was the legal system and the overwhelmingly disproportionate incarceration of black males. Looking for ways to draw attention to the issue while also bringing some relief to those imprisoned, King agreed to a request by jail warden Winston Moore to perform Live in Cook County Jail. King and his band performed for an audience of 2,117 prisoners, most of whom were young black men. King's set list consisted mostly of slow blues songs, which had been hits earlier in his career. When King shared with executives at ABC Records that a he would be performing at Cook County Jail, he was advised to bring along press and recording equipment. Thankfully he listened to their advice. Live in Cook County Jail peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard albums chart and reached number one on the Top R&B chart. Live In Cook County Jail remains as King's only album to do so. Rolling Stone ranked Live in Cook County Jail at number 499 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2002 it was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
3. King Of The Delta Blues Singers: Robert Johnson
1961 Columbia Records
King of the Delta Blues Singers is a compilation sixteen mono recordings, nine of which were previously available as 78 rpm records on the Vocalion label, and recorded during two sessions in 1936 and 1937. King of the Delta Blues Singers became the first album to be inducted by the Blues Foundation into the Blues Hall of Fame. Mojo magazine place it at number six on its list of 100 Records That Changed the World.
Rolling Stone magazine included the album on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
4. Two Steps From The Blues: Bobby Blue Bland
1961 Duke/MCA Records
Bobby "Blue" Bland released Two Steps from the Blues in 1961. It was his debut release and compiled songs that were recorded between 1956 and 1960. The album was a critical and commercial successful, producing two chart topping singles, "I Pity The Fool" and "Don't Cry No More," on the Billboard R&B chart. Two Steps from the Blues was included on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
5. A Man and The Blues: Buddy Guy
19689 Vanguard Records
A Man and the Blues was Buddy Guy's second studio album. It features four originals, a cover of Barrett Strong's "Money", and an adaptation of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb", which was also covered by guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan. The album was received well by critics for its electric blues renditions. Commercial success was mild upon release but has grown over time and with the ongoing growth of the electric blues.
6. Hard Again: Muddy Waters
177 Blue Sky Records
Muddy Waters signed with Johnny Winter's Blue Sky label shortly after leaving Chess Records. Hard Again was produced by Winter and was his first release on the label. The album was well received by critics and led to a resurgence of interest in the blues genre. Three of the songs on the album were re-recordings of songs that were previously recorded for Chess Records. Hard Again peaked at number 143 on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.
7. Texas Flood: Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble
1983 Epic Records
Stevie Ray Vaughan is regarded as one of the most influential musicians in the history of blues music, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Vaughan played blues guitar on David Bowie's album Let's Dance prior to the release of his debut album, Texas Flood. Within months of its release Stevie Ray Vaughn & Double Trouble achieved commercial success and critical acclaim. Two singles, "Love Struck Baby" and "Pride and Joy", were initially released from the album.
8. I Am The Blues: Willie Dixon
1970 Columbia Records
I Am the Blues was Willie Dixon's sixth studio album. The album features songs written by Dixon and a few originally recorded by other artists. Chicago blues was Dixon's primary musical style and the driving force behind each song. The album was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1986.
9. The Real Folk Blues: John Lee Hooker
1966 Chess Records
The Real Folk Blues is John Lee Hooker's masterpiece from a catalog that has many strong efforts. It so true to the Chicago blues style that it was even recorded in Chicago in 1966. The album features nine originals, each unique and offering a mix of up-tempo cuts and classic blues tracks. Willie Dixon’s “I Can’t Quit You Baby” being the one and only cover song.
10. Hoodoo Man Blues: Junior Wells & Buddy Guy
1965 Dellmark Records
Hoodoo Man Blues was the debut album for Junior Wells. Performing with Buddy Guy for their first of many collaborations. The album consists of Chicago blues style music that resulted in an innovative album and Dellmark Records' best-seller. It also served to establish Wells as a legit blues singer. The album received positive critical reviews and remains among the best albums Junior Wells produced during his long career.
11. Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton: John Mayall
1966 Decca Records
John Mayall's Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was John Mayall & the Blues Breakers debut studio album. It was an influential album, as it is viewed by many as a pioneering record for the guitar-dominated blues-rock style and sound. Commercially successful and critically acclaimed, the album set off another British movement that saw the rise of the British Blues Invasion with not only the likes of John Mayall's Blues Breakers, but also Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. Rolling Stone magazine included the album in its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". It was also included in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums and Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
12. The Original Peacock Recordings: Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
1990 Rounder (Peacock) Records
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's The Original Peacock Recordings consists of songs that were recorded in during the 1950's. It became known as the primer to the Texas Blues sound. The style is characterized by electric guitar riffs, piano runs, and powerful horns. Many recent Texas Blues artists, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, were heavily influenced by Brown. In 1999, Brown was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Brown won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1983 for his album, Alright Again!
13. Born Under A Bad Sign: Albert King
1967 Stax Records
Albert King, a left-handed guitar player, was known for his style and sound. Both of which have been sound widely imitated by Chicago blues, Texas blues, and rock guitarists alike. He was known affectionately as "The Velvet Bulldozer" because of his vocals and intimidating appearance. King released Born Under a Bad Sign as his second compilation album. The album features electric blues songs that were recorded in 1966 and 1967. The album did not realize commercial success. However, it received positive reviews from music critics. Today it is recognized as one of the greatest blues albums ever made. King's style influenced the likes of Eric Clapton, Mike Bloomfield, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Born Under a Bad Sign was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the National Recording Registry. King was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also ranked number 22 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
14. It Serves You Right To Suffer: John Lee Hooker
1966 Impulse! Records
John Lee Hooker released It Serves You Right to Suffer a few months prior to the release of his critically acclaimed album The Real Folk Blues, both of which solidified Hooker's standing as a Chicago blues artist. It Serves You Right To Suffer was Hooker's only album on the Impulse! label. Because Impulse! was primarily a jazz label, the session players consisted of three accomplished jazz musicians. As such, the sound produced and the musicianship is unlike most blues records.
15. At Last!: Etta James
1960 Ago Records [Chess/MCA]
By all accounts, At Last! was an wonderful debut studio album. There are times when an artist or band will release an album that is devoid of filler and full of excellent songs of substance. Etta James did just that with her first record. As such, At Last! reached number 12 on the Billboard Top Albums chart. At Last! was included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Four singles from the album reached the top five on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.
16. Goin' Away: Lightnin' Hopkins
1963 Bluesville Records
Goin' Away was released Lightnin' Hopkins during. period when he was putting out multiple albums every year. From 1959 to 1965 he released 29 albums. As one could imagine, some were better than others. Of the releases from this high production period a few standout as classics in the blues genre, such as Lightnin', Hopkins; Blues In My Bottle; Last Night Blues; Lightnin' Strikes; Mojo And; and of course Goin' Away being one of his top albums of the era.9
17. Father of the Delta Blues: Son House
1965 Columbia Records
Edward James "Son" House Jr. was a Delta blues singer and guitarist who brought an emotional style to his guitar playing and singing. House, who was originally called to be a preacher, became fed up with the secular music of the time and decided to pursue blues singing to influence his generation. He was in his mid twenties at the time. The songs that make up Father of the Delta Blues were issued at the start of the Great Depression. Prior to these recordings House had quit performing for a a number of years. However, when he was rediscovered in the early '60s and that led to the development of this compilation.
18. Let’s Dance Away And Hide Away: Freddie King
1961 King Records
Let's Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddy King was an instrumental album released by blues guitarist and singer Freddie ( "Freddy") King. The album was comprised of a influential songs, of which two became hit singles for King, "Hide Away" and "San-Ho-Zay". "San-Ho-Zay" reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot R&B chart and number 29 on the Hot 100 chart. The album was well received by critics and experienced mild commercial success. According the Encyclopedia of the Blues, the song "Hide Away" has become "one of the most popular blues instrumentals of all time", a "mandatory staple of blues bands" at its time and "a standard for countless blues and rock musicians performing today."
19. The Natch'l Blues: Taj Mahal
1968 Columbia Records
Taj Mahal released The Natch'l Blues as his second studio album following his self titled debut release of the same year. Riding the critical and commercial success of his self titled debut and increased interest in the blues genre in general, Taj Mahal's The Natch'l Blues experienced airplay and interest from a broader audience that was in excess of his previous release. Subsequently lifting the sales for this record. The Natch'l Blues is a blend of excellent musicianship and songwriting, and serves as the record that cemented Taj Mahal's reputation as an exceptional blues artist.
20. Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly
1996 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
Lead Belly's music has continued to influence artists in the folk, blues, and rock genres. Artists such as Neil Young, Ben Harper, Keb’ Mo, and Kurt Cobain. Prior to playing the song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged session, Cobain stated that "This song is by my favorite performer." Each of these artists and more have referenced Belly's work as instrumental in their development as a musician and performer. Between 1941 and 1947 Lead Belly recorded some of his best music in Moses Asch’s tiny New York studio. The only surviving Asch masters of Lead Belly are now part of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
21. West Side Soul: Magic Sam
1968 Dellmark Records
West Side Soul is the debut studio album by Chicago blues musician Magic Sam. The album is often referred to as one of the key modern electric blues albums of all time. The album includes a re-recording of one of Magic Sam's first singles, "All Your Love", as well as an updated version of "Sweet Home Chicago", which became his signature song and a popular blues anthem. The album was well received critically and has gone on to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as a classic of blues recording.
22. Blues After Hours: Elmore James
1960 Crown Records
Elmore James Blues After Hours is a quintessential blues record and a representative compilation of exceptional guitar playing by one of the best a picking and sliding. Originally released on the Crown records label in 1960, it was Elmore James' first long-playing record. The album is composed of a number of previously released singles. His influence can be heard in just about every slide guitar player. Elmore James’ signature song was “Dust My Broom”, which is an electrified version of the classic Robert Johnson song “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom”.
23. Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin
1969 Atlantic Records
Led Zeppelin or lovingly referred to as Led Zeppelin I was the debut studio album by English rock band Led Zeppelin. The album was recorded shortly after the band's formation and subsequently contains a mix of original material developed at the time of the recording and remakes of contemporary blues and folk songs.
With the release of Led Zeppelin, the band not only lifted the hard rock genre to the forefront of modern music, but the album showcased the fusion of blues and rock. As such, the album was an immediate commercial success, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard album charts. Surprisingly, the album initially received poor critical reviews.
24. Taj Mahal: Taj Mahal
1968 Columbia Records
Taj Mahal was the debut album by guitarist and blues singer Taj Mahal. The album contains cover songs reworked in contemporary blues- and folk-rock styles from artists such as Sleepy John Estes, Robert Johnson, and Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Blind Willie McTell's. The album received favorable reviews. However, it did not achieve the commercial success that his follow up album would realize. Regardless, as time often determines, the album has withstood the time test and stands today as one of the greatest examples of the contemporary blues- and folk-rock style.
25. Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac: Fleetwood Mac
1968 Blue Horizon Records
Fleetwood Mac, also known as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, was Fleetwood Mac's debut studio album. Unlike the mid 70s era Fleetwood Mac that included Buckingham and Nicks, this album is a mixture of blues covers and originals written by guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer. Similar to John Mayan's Blues Breakers debut release, the album brought the band "overnight success" status in the UK. However, the album did not fair as well in the U.S. As such, the album sold well in the UK, reaching number 4 on the British charts. Viewed by many as the best album from the British blues boom, it is also considered a seminal work for the Fleetwood Mac. The album was included in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.
26. Ice Pickin’: Albert Collins
1978 Aligator Records
Albert King released Ice Pickin' in 1978 and it became his breakthrough album. Melody Maker deemed it the best blues album of 1978, as did the Montreaux Jazz Festival. It received a 4 stars out of 4 rating from The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. The Penguin Guide also awarded the album a “Crown”, indicating that they considered it to be an exceptional release and one that should be part of any blues collection. Ice Pickin' was nominated for a Grammy Award.
27. Strong Persuader: Robert Cray
1986 Mercury Records
Strong Persuader was Robert Cray's fifth studio album and the one that the blues singer and guitarist the recognition he long deserved. The album was welcomed upon release with rave reviews from critics and subsequent commercial success. As such, Strong Persuader became his mainstream breakthrough, selling over two million copies by 1995. Strong Persuader was voted the third best album of the year in the Pazz & Jop, an annual poll of American critics published by The Village Voice.
28. Black Snake Moan: Blind Lemon Jefferson
2013 Snapper Music/Gramercy Blues
Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson was a blues and gospel singer, songwriter, and musician. During the early 1900s he was one of the most popular blues singers and has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues". Because of his high-pitched voice and the guitar playing originality, Jefferson's music was distinctive. "That Black Snake Moan" is a song Blind Lemon Jefferson wrote after being inspired by singer Victoria Spivey's "Black Snake Blues".
29. Are You Experienced: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
1967 Track Records
Are You Experienced was the debut studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The band was led by Jimi Hendrix' innovative songwriting and guitar playing. The album quickly established Hendrix as a guitar legend and pushed the rock genre toward a new direction. Are You Experienced spent 33 weeks on the British charts, peaking at number 2. In the US the album spent 106 weeks, 76 of which were in the Top 40, on the Billboard Top Albums chart, peaking number 5. The album also spent 70 weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B Albums chart where it peaked at number 10. It was included in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums. Rolling Stone magazine included Are You Experienced in its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
30. Sufferin’ Mind: Guitar Slim
1991 Specialty Records
Eddie "Guitar Slim" Jones was best known for the million-selling song "The Things That I Used to Do". It is listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Slim experimented with distorted tones on the electric guitar a full decade before guitar legend Jimi Hendrix made it mainstream. Jones developed his singing and song writing skills by spending his free time at juke joints. Like Jams Brown, he became known for his wild stage act, his bright-colored suits, and his dyed hair to match his suits.
31. Johnny Winter: Johnny Winter
1969 Columbia Records
Johnny Winter was a self titled release by guitarist and singer Johnny Winter. Winter continued his Progressive Blues Experiment on this album, mixing original compositions with songs originally recorded by other blues artists. The album reached number 24 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
32. Live At Fillmore East: Allman Brothers Band
1971 Capricorn Records
At Fillmore East was the Allman Brothers Band's first live album and their third release overall. At Fillmore East was the band's artistic and commercial breakthrough, rapidly escalating the band's exposure across multiple gars of music and solidifying on of the more loyal fans bases in music. Consider one of the best live albums of all time, At Fillmore East began the band's association as a "jam band". At Fillmore East is ranked among the best overall albums by any artists and continues to be one of their best selling records. In 2004, the album was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, deemed to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important" by the National Recording Registry.
33. His Best: Chess 50th Anniversary Collection: Little Walter
1958 Checker Records
Little Walter (Marion Walter Jacobs) was an American blues musician, singer, and songwriter. His revolutionary approach to the harmonica made an impact on succeeding generations, earning him comparisons to such seminal artists as Django Reinhardt, Charlie Parker and Jimi Hendrix. His virtuosity and musical innovations fundamentally altered many listeners' expectations of what was possible on a harmonica. Water was the first and only artist to be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame specifically as a harmonica player.
34. Hound Dog Taylor & the HouseRockers: Hound Dog Taylor
Hound Dog Taylor & the HouseRockers was the debut album for Hound Dog Taylor. As well as being Taylor's debut album, it was the first recording issued on the Alligator label. The album features Taylor on vocals and slide guitar, Brewer Phillips on guitar, and Ted Harvey on drums. Selling 9,000 copies in its first year, the album was considered a success for a blues record on an independent label. The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings describes its sound as "loud, harsh, boxy and exciting". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies called the album "electronic gutbucket from the Chicago blues bars, the rawest record I've heard in years.
35. T-Bone Blues: T-Bone Walker
1959 Atlantic Records
Views by many as a quintessential part of any any blues collector's catalog, T-Bone Blues by blues legend T-Bone Walker is an indispensable record of the guitar great's mid-'50s recordings. T-Bone Walker is best known for blues classics like "Call It Stormy Monday." Classics that are certain to be in every blues musician's arsenal of great blues cover songs. Known as a pioneer and innovator of the jump blues, West Coast blues, and electric blues sounds, Walker's style and sound continue to influence blues, rock, and jazz artists to this day. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 67 on its list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
36. Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite’s South Side Blues Band: Charlie Musselwhite
1967 Vanguard Records
Stand Back! Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's South Side Band was the debut album by blues-harp musician Charlie Musselwhite. The album was well-received and was often described as "legendary", "seminal", and "one of the classic blues albums of the decade." The success of the album established Musselwhite as an influential leader in the blues genre. His work has also had a great influence on rock n' roll artists such as Ben Harper.
37. Chicago Bound: Jimmy Rogers
1970 Chess Records
Jimmy Rogers released Chicago Bound in 1970 during the height of the blues resurgence. Best known for his work as a member of Muddy Waters's band, he himself was an accomplished Chicago blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. In the mid-50s he had realized success as solo artist with the release of "That's All Right", "Chicago Bound", and "Walking by Myself". In 1995, Rogers was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. His song "That's All Right" was inducted as a "Classic of Blues Recording", which identified it as a blues standard.
38. Folk Singer: Muddy Waters
1964 Chess Records
Folk Singer was Muddy Waters's 4th album. He is backed by blues legends Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar. Folk Singer was Waters's only all-acoustic album. Despite its lack of commercial success Folk Singer received critical acclaim. AllMusic deemed the record's sound fresh and vital and praised its audiophile mastering quality. Village Voice it to be "luxurious and intimate". Rolling Stone magazine included the album in its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
39. King of the Blues Guitar: Albert King
1969 Atlantic Records
Albert King's King of the Blues Guitar was a compilation album containing songs from 1966 to 1968 that were originally released as singles by Stax Records. The album reached number 194 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1969. The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings gave the album a crown, its highest honor. AllMusic gave the album its highest rating, five out of five stars.
40. From The Cradle: Eric Clapton
1994 Warner Bros. Records
From the Cradle was Eric Clapton's 12th solo studio album and a followup to his immensely successful MTV special live album, Unplugged. Surprisingly, it was his only number-one album in the UK. Long associated with the blues, From the Cradle was Clapton's first all-blues album. However, following the success of From the Cradle, he went on to pursue other blues focused records, such as Riding with the King with B.B. King; a Robert Johnson tribute album, Me and Mr. Johnson; and The Road to Escondido, which was a collaboration with J. J. Cale. Critical reception of the album was widely positive with many critics viewing it as one of the best blues albums ever made. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.
41. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Paul Butterfield
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was Paul Butterfield's self-titled debut album. While the band has seemingly had more members come and go than an Arkansas Walmart has customers, the members that did pass through left a mark on the blues gear a rock n' roll. The group originally featured Paul Butterfield, Elvin Bishop, Jerome Arnold, Sam Lay, Mike Bloomfield, and Mark Naftalin. The album includes originals and songs in the Chicago blues style. The founding sextet was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Rolling Stone magazine included it in its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
42. Avalon Blues (The Complete Recordings) : Mississippi John Hurt
2008 (1928) Legacy Recordings (Okeh Records)
Mississippi John Hurt (John Smith Hurt) was born and raised in Avalon, Mississippi where he taught himself to play the guitar. He released his first recordings in 1928 on Okeh Records. All of which were unsuccessful commercially. While he did not experience success early in his musical career, his music was "rediscovered" later in his life and it helped further the revival of American folk music. As such, many other great blues performers from Hurt's era were rediscovered.
43. Showdown: Albert Collins, Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland
1985 Alligator Records
Showdown! was a collaboration between blues guitarists Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland. The album consisted mostly of original material, with a few cover versions of songs like T-Bone Walker's "T-Bone Shuffle", Muddy Waters's "She's into Something" and Ray Charles' "Blackjack". Showdown! became one of Alligator Record's most successful albums. It peaked at number 124 on the Billboard Album Chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Recording.
44. The Real Folk Blues: 9
1966 Chess Records
Sonny Boy Williamson II released The Real Folk Blues as compilation album. The songs were recorded in Chicago between 1957 and 1964. The the album contained previously unissued material, including "Checkin' Up on My Baby" and "Bring It On Home", which have been called "some of the most accomplished masterpieces of postwar blues". Regarding the release, AllMusic's offered the following assessment, "Part of Chess' long line of introductory blues compilations, Sonny Boy Williamson's Real Folk Blues keeps up the high standard with another solid batch of classic Chicago blues. Mostly taken from his last years in the first half of the '60s, the 12 cuts here represent some of the best of Williamson's juke joint and dancefloor-friendly mix".
45. Otis Spann Is the Blues: Otis Spann
1960 Candid Records
Otis Spann Is the Blues is a blues album by blues pianist and vocalist Otis Spann. Perhaps best known for his lengthy relationship with the legendary Muddy Waters, Otis Spann is recognized as one of the greatest blues pianists of all time. Spann worked with such blues greats as Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley, BB King, Eric Clapton, James Cotton, and Big Momma Thorton. In the late 60s he also worked on albums with Buddy Guy, Peter Green, and Fleetwood Mac. Spann was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.
46. Mirror Man: Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1971 Buddah Records
Mirror Man was Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band's the fifth studio album. The album contains material that was originally recorded as part of an abandoned project entitled It Comes to You in a Plain Brown Wrapper. Much of the material was subsequently re-recorded and released through a different label. However, Buddah Records retained the tapes from the original sessions and released four of the unissued songs on the album Mirror Man. The album peaked at number 49 on the UK album chart.
47. Completely Well: B.B. King
1969 Bluesway Records
B. B. King released Completely Well in 1969 on the Bluesway label. It includes his iconic signature song, "The Thrill Is Gone", which became a hit for King on the R&B/soul and pop charts. The song also won him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1970. Completely Well was King's first real attempt at creating a pop-inclined album. Subsequently it became his commercial breakthrough release.
48. Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall: Jimmy Reed
1961 Vee-Jay Records
Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall was released as a double album. While one would reasonably be led to believe that the album was a live performance, it is actually a studio album. Reed recreated his Carnegie Hall performance, as well as including additional studio recordings. The song "Bright Lights, Big City" was released as a single and became one of Reed's most successful songs. AllMusic gave the album a rating of five out of five stars.
49. Fathers And Sons: Muddy Waters
1969 Chess Records
Muddy Waters released Fathers and Sons as his seventh studio album. Released one year after his "controversial" release of Electric Mud, Father & Sons was took a more traditional approach to the blues. The album included both studio and live recordings. Waters was backed by an all-star band that included Michael Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Otis Spann, and Sam Lay. Many of whom were members at one time or another of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The album was on of Waters' greatest commercial successes, peaking at number 70 on the Billboard 200.
50. Too Bad Jim: R.L. Burnside
1994 Fat Possum Records
R.L. Burnside released Too Bad Jim as a flow up to his mildly well received predecessor, Bad Luck City. While Too Bad Jim follows the same path as Bad Luck City, Too Bad Jim is the better of the two albums. The album features R.L. Burnside lighting up his guitar and killing some well crafted songs. As Burnside states, “I didn't mean to kill nobody ... I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord.” He did exactly that with this album, killed it!
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