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! — Masterpieces of Modern Blues (31–40)
Stormy mundayAllman Brothers Band
The pinnacle of white American blues guitarists is Duane Allman.
He was especially a master of slide guitar, and there’s even an anecdote that he gave Eric Clapton some lessons.
Although he died young at 24 in a traffic accident, his divine playing remains legendary, and people still lament how incredible a guitarist he might have become had he lived.
Kind of blueMiles Davis
Miles Davis, who left the famous quote, “The blues isn’t something you’re taught to play.
You play it freely,” lets you savor his own take on the blues that goes beyond the realm of a jazz trumpeter.
From the 1959 album of the same title, Kind of Blue.
Hoochie Coochie ManMuddy Waters
Born in the American South, including Mississippi, the blues spread to Chicago along with Black laborers moving north in search of work.
Muddy Waters was a musician who moved from Mississippi to Chicago and is also a representative figure of Chicago blues.
Feeling GoodNina Simone
Nina Simone, known for her distinctive and unique singing voice.
Her expressive power, which could not be confined to the label of a jazz singer, captivated many people.
Among her songs, the blues-tinged and popular ‘Feeling Good’ was released in 1965.
Born in the ChicagoThe Paul Butterfield Blues Band
A masterpiece that can be said to be the most standard among songs written by a white bluesman.
Born in Chicago and raised with Chicago blues as lullabies, Paul Butterfield was uniquely able to create such a work.
He also died at 44 and became a saint of the blues.
Recommended for Rock Fans Too! — Modern Blues Masterpieces (41–50)
Dust My BroomElmore James
Elmore James, born in 1918 in Richland, Mississippi, was an American blues guitarist.
He was known for his wild, electrifying sound centered on the bottleneck slide technique on electric guitar, which had a major influence on later rock guitarists.
He began performing in his teens under names such as Cleanhead and Joe Willie James, and played with artists including Robert Johnson.
His 1951 release Dust My Broom became a hit and has been covered by many blues-rock musicians.
I’m Your Hooch Coochie ManWillie Dixon
Willie Dixon, born in 1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was a staff producer, bandleader, and bassist for Chess Records in the 1950s, and is one of the greatest songwriters in American music history.
He created numerous blues classics such as Spoonful, Back Door Man, and I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man, supplied songs to major blues artists, and, through covers by bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, became a pioneering figure linking blues and rock.
He was also the person who had the greatest influence on post–World War II Chicago blues.
Hoochie Coochie Man was written and composed by Willie in 1954 and became a major hit sung by Muddy Waters.