Recommended for rock fans too! — A classic album of modern blues
The birth of the blues, often called the root of rock ’n’ roll and jazz, dates back to the late 19th century.
Its forms are diverse and can’t be summed up in a single phrase: from Delta blues and country blues—often referred to as prewar blues—to Chicago blues and modern blues, which developed after the war in Chicago and incorporated electric instruments.
In this article, we introduce classic blues albums whose style and spirit continue to be carried on by many musicians even in the 2020s.
The lineup focuses mainly on modern blues that’s easy for beginners to enjoy, so even those who usually listen to rock will find it accessible.
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Recommended for rock fans too! — Masterpieces of Modern Blues (111–120)
Straighten Up & Fly RightNat King Cole
This is a popular song by Nat King Cole, who had been active as a pianist since the 1930s.
Until then he only played piano, but in 1944 he also debuted as a singer with “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” which became a huge hit.
This track is included on “The Extraordinary & Unissued,” a collection of Nat King Cole’s works.
I`Cant Quit You BabyOtis Rush
Band blues later had a major influence on white rock bands, and the song “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” often performed live by the hard rock band Led Zeppelin, was written by Otis Rush.
He was a bluesman outstanding in both guitar and vocals.
The Hard WayOtis Spann
In the blues genre, it’s not only the guitar that takes center stage.
For those who want to explore piano-led blues, I highly recommend the works of Otis Spann, renowned as a quintessential Chicago blues pianist.
Having performed as a musician since his teens, Spann joined Muddy Waters’s band as a pianist around 1952.
While active as a band member, he also flourished as a solo and session musician, becoming a towering figure in the blues.
Ten years after his death in 1970, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980.
Spann’s first solo album, Otis Spann Is the Blues, released in 1960, is—true to its title—a blues album built around his piano and vocals.
You can also enjoy the guitar and vocals of his collaborator Robert Lockwood Jr., and savor a distinct charm that sets it apart from ensemble-driven Chicago blues.
Devil’s Son-In-LawPeetie Wheatstraw
Peetie Wheatstraw was a master of prewar acoustic blues, and many blues musicians took him as a model.
“Devil’s Son-In-Law” is one of his signature songs and became synonymous with him.
Suger mamaPeter Green’s Fleetwood Mac
When it comes to the greatest white British blues guitarists, Peter Green stands at the top.
Countless guitarists have been influenced by his effortless command of both uptempo and slow playing.
The early Fleetwood Mac under his leadership can also be called the pinnacle of white blues bands.