Suggestions for a Blues Intro mix cd?

[kingblud]

Hi all, I am trying to get into Blues more, but don't have a ton of exposure. One of my goals with guitar is to be able to play the blues solidly, so I was hoping you guys could point out a good set of songs I should listen to and use as a starting point, from which I can look deeper. Essentially a CD's worth of good cuts. I was hoping for a good mix of artists and styles, so I can expand off it. Any help at all would be appreciated, thanks!

[aetherspear]

try some of the mixes people have made in the Blues/Jazz Radio thread.

[jamogod]

Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Vaughn, BB King, Jeff Healy, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Jonny Laing, Robert Johnson, Albert King.

Get any one song from each of those artists, if you that doesn't point you in the right direction for the blues, I don't know what will

[theshroomman]

muddy waters - whiskey blues
son house - death letter
robert johnson - When You Got A Good Friend

[Thefallofman]

These are some essentials:
Buddy Guy- Damn Right I've Got The Blues
BB King- The Thrill Is Gone
Robert Johnson- Cross Road Blues
John Lee Hooker- Boom Boom
Howlin' Wolf- Killing Floor
Muddy Waters- Rollin' and Tumblin'
Son House- Death Letter
Stevie Ray Vaughan- Texas Flood
Blind Willie McTell- Dying Crapshooter's Blues
Big Bill Broonzy- Baby, Please Don't Go
Blind Lemon Jefferson- See That My Grave Is Kept Clean
Albert King- Born Under A Bad Sign
Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie- When The Levee Breaks


That's 12 or so songs that cover the main blues spectrum. There's Chicago blues, delta blues, country/folk blues, Texas blues, etc.

Most of them are the "big" songs from each artist... things that you'd probably hear first anyway that give a good taste of what each artist's style is like. The songs are easy to find on albums, so if you like them it should be easy to pick up a CD and delve further in.

[kingblud]

this is awesome, I am downloading the stuff from the radio section, and thanks theshroomman and the fallofman for the picks, I greatly appreciate it.

[imgooley]

^Pretty much

Add some Junior Kimbrough to that and you're gold. Maybe some Lightnin Hopkins, too. And moar slide guitar.

[ze monsta]

Defo get some Lightnin in there!

and of course:

Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground

[gopherthegreat]

Get The Complete Robert Johnson for a great intro to Delta Blues (I know its just one artist, but its still a great intro)

Also, The Thrill is Gone - BB King

[TNfootballfan62]

Here's a great way to discover some new artists: Go to slacker.com. It's an online radio. You type in an artist you like, or pick a genre, and it will give you some of their songs along with songs from different artists of a similar style. I love it.

[Dchild042]

Thefallofman basically covered all the basics for you. And to help your actual playing learn the blues scale and stuff like that, its really easy

[ze monsta]

Oh, and use last fm as well.

[GD_GC]

Alright, here is my top 10 blues songs if you are looking to get into blues.

10.) Pride and Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan (on the album Texas Flood)
Because it shows the 12 bar format, which is essential, and it is in E, everyone's first blues key :haha

9.)Kind Hearted Woman - Robert Johnson
Because it is one of the most famous blues songs of all time, by one of the first, and most famous bluesman of all time. You need to hear the classics to really appreciate the modern stuff.

8.) Key to the Highway - Various artists (check out the Derek and Dominos version)
Because it shows an 8 bar blues format, which is good to know as well.

7.) Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters
Again, just a classic. The steriotype of blues that everyone would think of.

6.) Red House - Jimi Hendrix
Because it is Jimi freakin' Hendrix, playing what he was best at, blues. (many people don't know this) Also it is a modern classic and another must know.

5.) Have You Ever Loved a Woman - Freddie King
Here's a smoldering slow blues, that is a 100% must hear. It will show you what it sounds like to have emotion in your playing and singing.

4.) Hideaway - Freaking everyone
It's a classic, shows you how to blend major/minor pentatonics.

3.) Statesboro Blues - Allman Brothers
A great example of quality modern slide guitar playing, a must listen.

2.) Texas Flood - SRV
One of my favorites, will really teach you some sweet licks.

1.) How Blue Can You Get - BB King
He is the king of the blues, and this is my favorite track by the master himself.


Those aren't in really any particular order, but I think they are all must listens.

Other essential artists are John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, and many many more. If you want to PM me or anything, I can give you a much bigger list of must listens. There are many great tunes I left out, but this is a good starting place.

:cheers:
Eric