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 masterpiece of blues rock. Must-listen recommended albums (41–50)
Sookie, SookieSteppenwolf
Steppenwolf, originally The Sparrows—a blues rock band formed in Toronto, Canada—became a four-piece group that began activity in 1967 after relocating to San Francisco.
Known for hits like “Born to Be Wild,” which was featured in the classic American New Wave film Easy Rider and has been covered by many musicians and bands, they delivered blues rock and psychedelia with a hard-edged sound, exerting a major influence on later hard rock and heavy metal.
The album highlighted here, Steppenwolf Live, was released in 1970.
Although a live album, it was edited and arranged much like a greatest-hits collection packed with their popular tracks.
It’s highly regarded by fans for its dynamic live performances and signature songs, and it also serves as an excellent introduction to the band.
SlowhandEric Clapton
“Slowhand” is an album released by Eric Clapton in 1977.
The title “Slowhand” reportedly came from the fact that, despite the incredible sound he produced, his fingers didn’t seem to be moving much, so he was called “Slowhand” at the time.
It’s an album you can listen to with ease.
Heavenly GuardianSantana
Abraxas is Santana’s second studio album, released in 1970.
Building on the band’s distinctive fusion of Latin and blues that had brought them success, this sophomore album further developed their unique sound.
Black Magic Woman became a hit, reaching No.
4 on the U.
S.
charts.
Super GiantsBlind Faith
Super Giants (Blind Faith) is an album by the British rock band Blind Faith, which caused a major sensation in 1969 as a collaboration between members of Cream and Steve Winwood.
A masterpiece of blues rock showcasing highly advanced musicianship.
The WeightMike Bloomfield
“The Miracle of the Fillmore” (The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper) is a live album released in 1969 by Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper, capturing performances at the Fillmore West.
Their improvisational, free-form expression that builds excitement together with the audience epitomizes the appeal of blues rock.
WoodstockCanned Heat & John Lee Hooker
Woodstock is an album documenting a large outdoor concert—centered on rock—held in 1969 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, USA.
It conveys the atmosphere of this historic event, which featured many blues rock bands.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan was a legendary blues-rock guitarist born in Dallas, Texas, in 1954, who tragically died in an accident in 1990 at the young age of 35.
Belonging to the generation that inherited the blues-rock movement that erupted in the 1960s, Stevie had been active as a guitarist from a young age.
In 1983, he gained worldwide recognition by playing guitar on David Bowie’s iconic ’80s hit “Let’s Dance.” Now let me introduce his second album, “Couldn’t Stand the Weather,” released in 1984 by this extraordinarily talented young guitar virtuoso.
Also known in Japan by the title “Texas Hurricane,” the album strengthens its rock elements while keeping blues—their roots—at its core, resulting in a blues-rock masterpiece where Stevie’s hurricane-force guitar truly explodes.
In particular, his cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” delivers a searing, almost fearsome performance that stands as one of Stevie’s signature tracks.