A classic blues rock masterpiece. A highly recommended album you should listen to at least once.
The genre known as blues rock is, literally, one style of rock music with the blues as its foundation.
It’s said to have been started by British musicians who admired America’s great bluesmen—the very heartland of the blues—and later, bands in the United States also emerged that played blues rock.
While the genre itself might not be something most people encounter unless they’re avid music fans, in reality, even those who aren’t hardcore listeners have likely heard famous bands and artists influenced by the blues, expressing it as their own brand of rock.
This time, we’re introducing some essential classic albums of blues rock!
We’ve included live albums as well—where the genre truly shines.
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A classic collection of blues rock masterpieces. Must-hear recommended albums (21–30)
Fire and WaterFree
Fire and Water is an album released in 1970 by Free, a British rock band that debuted in 1969.
It features the soulful, passionate vocals of Paul Rodgers—hailed as one of the greatest vocalists in rock—and the distinctive vibrato-laden guitar work of Paul Kossoff as its highlights.
Full HouseThe J. Geils Band
Full House – “Live” Full House (1972) is a live album by the J.
Geils Band.
It prominently features Magic Dick’s blues harp and captures the band’s early, bluesy live performances, where they reportedly returned for multiple encores.
A classic blues rock masterpiece. Must-listen recommended albums (31–40)
Ball And ChainBig Brother&the Holding Company
A masterpiece that fuses soul-stirring, powerful blues vocals with psychedelic musicianship, Cheap Thrills.
Released by Big Brother and the Holding Company in August 1968, this album showcases Janis Joplin’s overwhelming vocal prowess.
Its lyrics, exploring love, pain, and the complexities of human relationships, leave a deep imprint on listeners.
The album spent eight consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard 200 in 1968 and continues to shine brilliantly in rock history, beloved by music fans to this day.
Highly recommended for those who want to feel the essence of blues rock and experience a voice that will shake your soul.
I Don’t Need No DoctorHUMBLE PIE
The genre of blues rock has its roots in young British musicians who admired American roots music—the blues—and transformed it into their own sound.
Humble Pie was one such band, and their live album Performance Rockin’ the Fillmore, released in November 1971, is highly regarded as a classic of blues rock.
Blending Steve Marriott’s powerful vocals with Peter Frampton’s razor-sharp guitar work, the album incorporates blues elements while establishing a distinctive hard rock sound.
Captured during a fervent live performance at the Fillmore East in the United States, it’s a record packed with the band’s appeal.
It’s a work I highly recommend to anyone who wants to experience the essence of blues rock.
Wonderful TonightEric Clapton
Eric Clapton—revered as a guitar god and a prolific singer-songwriter who has created many classics.
Beyond the work he left with bands like the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith, Clapton’s solo career is also remarkable, and his roots lie in the blues.
His musical background is evident not only from his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but also from his 2015 induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.
The Clapton blues-rock album we’re focusing on here is Slowhand, his fifth solo album, released in 1977 and titled with his own iconic nickname.
Packed with classics and live staples such as the beloved ballad Wonderful Tonight, it stands as one of his signature works and a worldwide hit.
Featuring upbeat tracks that incorporate plenty of rock, folk, and saxophone, the album exudes a laid-back vibe while showcasing excellent songwriting and ensemble interplay—a truly outstanding record.
Fire and WaterFree
Free’s album “Fire and Water” delivers a powerful, emotional sound steeped in blues influences.
Released in June 1970, this work stands as a pinnacle of the band’s career.
On the title track, Paul Rodgers’s soul-stirring vocals sing of the joys and pains of love.
The album also includes the classic “All Right Now,” which reached No.
2 on the UK charts.
It’s a perfect choice for those who want to experience the essence of blues rock or are seeking music that is both forceful and delicate.
A landmark of blues rock, this album tells the story of Free’s brief yet brilliant history.
A New Generation Of BluesAlexis Korner
“A New Generation of Blues” is an album released in 1968 by Alexis Korner, known as the father of British blues in the UK.
Bringing in Ray Warleigh from the jazz world as a saxophonist, the work adds jazz-rock elements to the blues.