When I was fourteen my mate Richard Brunning introduced me to the Blues. Here are the albums that blew me away:
Lightnin’ Strikes – Lightnin’ Hopkins
I remember sitting on the bed in Dick’s room listening to Lightnin’ as he picked those incredible stark runs on that electric guitar and sang in this echoey studio to the tap of his shoes.
He released three or four albums called Lightnin’ Strikes. It was the Ember one that enthralled me.
Moanin’ In The Moonlight – Howlin’ Wolf
I was blown away with Chester’s incredible voice and the melancholy and force of these Chess recordings. Very atmospheric album.
The Best of Elmore James
That searing slide guitar has never been surpassed. What a sound. Full of really amazing electrified slide.
Robert Johnson – King of the Delta Blues Singers
Those incredible recording made on rudimentary recording devices in a hotel room. They still sound amazing. What a huge loss. He was the master of songwriting.
Son House – Father of Folk Blues
Can anything surpass Death Letter Blues – that strident bottle-neck on that national steel, that deep voice, the jagged rhythm. So glad I caught him live. He was incredible.
John Lee Hooker – House Of The Blues
It was an EP with Boom Boom that first drew me to John Lee but this album was fabulous. His phrasing and rhythms.
Sonny Boy Williamson – Down And Out Blues
This introduced me to the harp playing of one of the masters (up there with Little Walter). What a showman.
Muddy Waters – Folk Singer
I loved Muddy’s hard Chicago band sound, especially with the Willie Dixon numbers, But the starkness of this album with just Muddy and an electric guitar had such feeling.