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 (41–50)
Got My Mojo WorkingJames Cotton
James Cotton is also an outstanding harmonica player.
Although he later played music beyond the blues, such as soul, during his time with Muddy Waters’s band he delivered performances that could be considered among the greatest in blues harp history.
Recommended for rock fans too! — Masterpieces of Modern Blues (51–60)
Alabama trainLouisiana Red
Louisiana Red is a bluesman who also plays blues harp and guitar.
His soulful shouts and singer-songwriter-style blues are full of down-home charm.
From the 1980s onward, he moved his base of activity to Europe and, in a rare twist, eventually passed away in Germany.
Ain’t going to worry, about tomorrowRoosevelt ”Booba” Barnes
A bluesman from the Deep South.
This richly earthy, intoxicating Delta blues has a flavor that only someone born and raised in the South can convey.
He’s a craftsman who took 30 years from debuting in clubs to releasing an album.
The fact that such a cool, genuinely skilled bluesman remains unknown shows just how vast America is.
Katie Mae BluesLightnin’ Hopkins
Lightnin’ Hopkins was a blues singer, guitarist, and pianist born in 1912 in Centerville, Texas, USA.
In 1927, he performed at the Rainbow Theatre with his cousin Texas Alexander, and he began calling himself “Lightnin’” (lightning) in reference to pianist Thunder Smith (“Thunder”) who was playing at the time.
One of the most prolific recording artists in blues history, he left an enormous body of work between 1946 and 1981.
His debut single, Katie Mae Blues, became a hit, and he went on to release record after record, ultimately said to have issued over 100 albums in his lifetime.
All My LifeCharles Brown
It’s a famous song by Charles Brown, an American blues pianist and singer.
Known for its sweet ballad style, it had a major influence on many later musicians, including Ray Charles.
An album with the same title was released in 1990.
You Don’t Have To GoJimmy Reed
Jimmy Reed, born in 1925 in Leland, Mississippi, was an American blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player.
With relaxed boogie beats, walking bass lines, and laid-back drumming as the foundation, Reed’s loose guitar, high-pitched harmonica, vocals, and straightforward blues sound became one of the most influential styles in blues.
“You Don’t Have to Go,” released in 1955 during his time with the Vee-Jay label, reached No.
5 on the R&B chart, and he went on to achieve an unprecedented feat for a bluesman by placing 14 songs on the charts by 1959.
Members onlyBobby Bland
This is Bobby Bland, a blues singer who gained popularity with his deeply soulful vocals heavily influenced by gospel.
A consummate professional who built a long career on pure singing without playing instruments.
This track is included on the 1985 album Members Only.