Recommended for rock fans too! — A classic album of modern blues
The birth of the blues, often called the root of rock ’n’ roll and jazz, dates back to the late 19th century.
Its forms are diverse and can’t be summed up in a single phrase: from Delta blues and country blues—often referred to as prewar blues—to Chicago blues and modern blues, which developed after the war in Chicago and incorporated electric instruments.
In this article, we introduce classic blues albums whose style and spirit continue to be carried on by many musicians even in the 2020s.
The lineup focuses mainly on modern blues that’s easy for beginners to enjoy, so even those who usually listen to rock will find it accessible.
- A classic blues rock masterpiece. A highly recommended album you should listen to at least once.
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Recommended for rock fans too! — Modern Blues Masterpieces (21–30)
Mannish boyMuddy Waters
Although it’s built on a monotonous one-chord pattern, the structure is superb—grabbing you from Muddy Waters’s opening growl all the way to the riff where the harp leads throughout.
The harp is James Cotton, the guitar is Johnny Winter.
It’s a classic that makes you think, “Blues is so cool!”
Be Careful With A FoolJohnny Winter
A white guitarist whose contribution to bridging the gap between blues and rock ranks among the very best.
He could handle gritty rock ’n’ roll and authentic blues with equal ease.
He was so close to Muddy Waters that people said they were like “in-laws.”
Recommended for Rock Fans Too! — Masterpieces of Modern Blues (31–40)
Blues Before SunriseLeroy Carr
Prewar acoustic blues, which overwhelmingly features solo singer-instrumentalists, is dominated by guitar-and-vocal performances, but there were also musicians who accompanied themselves on piano.
Leroy Carr was one of them, known for delivering laid-back blues.
Bad bad whiskeyBuddy Guy & Junior Wells
A version of the blues standard by Amos Milburn, covered by the legendary duo Buddy Guy & Junior Wells.
The moody saxophone and the irresistibly catchy, sing-along melody linger in your ears.
Baby, Please Don’t GoLightnin’ Hopkins
Lightnin’ Hopkins is still a very popular bluesman.
From a certain period onward he also performed band blues using electric guitar, but before the war he played acoustic blues.
This song is one of the great classics of the blues.
She’s Only A WomanLonnie Johnson
Before the war, many bluesmen performed solo with a guitar in bars—similar to itinerant street musicians in Japan—but Lonnie Johnson had musical training and could play piano, guitar, and violin, and he performed a refined style of blues.
Walkin’ BluesPaul Butterfield
One of the foremost harmonica players in white blues is Paul Butterfield.
The Butterfield Blues Band he formed included outstanding players such as Mike Bloomfield.
“Walkin’ Blues” is a classic of band-style blues.