Top 10 Favorite Guitarists (Part 5) - The Blues

  What is the blues? Well….according to the World renowned source
of information (LOL), Wikipedia: "Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States around the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads"….BLAH BLAH BLAH……..Basically the blues is all about feeling, pain, emotion. Many blues guitarists don'y play their songs the same way twice. The music just flows our of them.  Most blues songs are formatted in a, 8 Bar 12 bar format, consisting of the I,  IV, and V chords.  In fact it may very well be technically the simplest form of guitar playing. A person picking up the guitar  for the first time can be  taught how to play a simplified version of the 12 Bar Blues. Don’t let that statement fool you – there are many incredible blues guitarists.  If you want to know what the Blues is all about, read the lyrics to Gary  Moore’s classic “Story of the Blues”

Story of the Blues by Gary Moore

 My baby she left me, my baby she's gone.
My sweet little angel has spread her wings and flown.
Can't think of a reason for going on.
 From this day I will play the blues.

She said it was over, this time it's the end.
Bad luck and trouble gonna be my only friend.
I still can't believe it, after all we've been through.
Everyday I will play the blues.

Everybody knows what the blues is all about.
It's a pain you can't live with.
It's a woman you can't live without.
She came from Chicago.
She read me the news.
In the headlines was a story of the blues.

They say a broken heart can always mend.
Time is the healer and sadness will end.
But I've done so much crying, when will I laugh again?
Till that day I will play the blues.

Everybody knows what the blues is all about.
It's a pain you can't live with.
It's a woman you can't live without.
Could have cried me a river
when they told me the news.
On that day was a story of the blues.

 
 
Well, I’m not going to provide a complete history or definition
of the blues. If you want to know more, I recommend the Blues mini series  presented by Martin Scorcese from 2003.
Well, on to my lists – yes LISTS. I am providing 2 lists: one of my 10 favorite traditional Blues artists and another of my 10 favorite Rock/Blues guitarists. 

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​Top 10 Traditional Blues Guitarists (in reverse order and with some essential albums):


10 - Lightnin’  Hopkins - Lightnin' Strikes, The Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings, Blues Masters Vol 16
9 - T-Bone Walker - Stormy Monday Blues, T-Bone Blues, The Complete Imperial Recordings
8 - Freddy/Freddie King - Getting Ready, Let's  Hide Away and Dance Away, Hideaway: The Best of Freddy King
7 - Muddy Waters - Hard Again, Folk Singer, Father and Sons, The Anthology 1947 - 1972
6 - John Lee Hooker - House of Blues, ...And Seven Nights, Alone, Mr Lucky, The Healer
5 - Albert Collins - Ice Pickin', Don't Lose Your Cool, Showdown (w/Robert Cray & Johnny Copeland)
4 - Robert Johnson - The Complete Recordings
3 - Albert King - Born Under a Bad Sign, Years Gone By, I'll Play the Blues For You
2 - BB King - Completely Well, Live at the Regal, King of the Blues (1989)
1 - Buddy Guy - Stone Crazy, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells Play the Blues, Alone & Acoustic, Damn Right I've Got the Blues, Feels Like Rain, Sweet Tea, Blues Singer, Living Proof, and so many more!!!

Top 10 Rock/Blues Guitarists (in reverse order and with some essential albums):

10 - Mike Bloomfield - Super Sessions, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band -East-West
9 - Billy Gibbons - Tejas, Fandango, Deguello, El Loco, Eliminator
8 - George Thorogood - George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Move it on Over, Bad to the Bone, Maverick
7 - Joe Bonamassa - Had to Cry Today, Sloe Gin, The Ballad of John Henry, Dust Bowl
6 - Eric Clapton - From the Cradle, Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, Unplugged, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, Disraeli Gears
5 - Rory Gallagher - Irish Tour, Photo Finish, Tattoo, Calling Card
4 - Jimmy Thackery - Empty Arms Hotel, Trouble Man, Wild Night Out, Sinner Street, Guitar
3 - Stevie Ray Vaughan – Texas Flood, Couldn’t Stand the Weather, Step By Step, Live Alive
2 - Jimi Hendrix  - Are You Experienced, Electric Ladyland, Axis: Bold as Love, Band of Gypsys
1 - Gary Moore – Still Got the Blues, After Dark, Blues Alive,  Blues For Greeny, Back to the Blues, Power of the Blues, Best of the Blues, and so many MOORE.....