Blues masterpieces—from prewar blues to blues rock
A wellspring of inspiration for rock ’n’ roll and a genre adored by the giants of music history, the blues is a style that reveals deeper and deeper richness the more you listen.
That said, even rock fans who are somewhat interested may feel there’s a high barrier to getting into it.
In this article, for those who are about to step into the world of the blues, we’ll present—at a glance—the essential classics and fan favorites you can’t skip when talking about the blues, spanning everything from prewar blues to Chicago blues and blues rock.
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Blues Masterpieces: From Prewar Blues to Blues Rock (21–30)
If trouble was moneyAlbert Collins
While carrying on the blues tradition, Albert Collins captivates with his distinctive sound.
This song, which likens hardship and suffering to money and sings of the strength to overcome life’s struggles, captures the very essence of the blues.
Featured on the 1989 album “Jazzvisions: Jump The Blues Away,” it showcases Collins’s signature Texas blues guitar style to the fullest.
It’s a track you’ll want to hear if you’ve faced life’s difficulties or need the courage to push through adversity.
Hide AwayFreddie King
Freddie King, known as one of the Three Kings of blues guitar, passed away at the young age of 42.
His influence is immense—Eric Clapton has openly stated he was deeply inspired by him.
Hide Away is widely celebrated as one of his signature masterpieces.
Pay special attention to the memorable melody that makes striking use of open strings.
If you play guitar, studying his performances could be very helpful.
Blues Classics: From Prewar Blues to Blues Rock (31–40)
The Midnight SpecialLead Belly
This is the song that was used as the theme for the popular late-1970s TV show “The Midnight Special.” Many blues artists have recorded this song, and it has also been covered by musicians from various genres, such as ABBA, Van Morrison, and Johnny Rivers.
john hardyLead Belly
Lead Belly (often written as Leadbelly) was a 12-string guitar player who also sang folk standards.
“John Hardy” is a folk-style blues song.
There’s an anecdote that blues originated when African people were made to sing white people’s songs and couldn’t quite render the do-re-mi scale, leading to the creation of the blue-note scale.
The fusion of old European folk music with Black music—and the conditions of slavery—gave rise to the genre known as the blues.
All Your LoveMagic Sam
Alongside Otis Rush and Buddy Guy, the blues musician Magic Sam made a major contribution to the development of Chicago blues.
His style was highly orthodox, and its catchiness won him many fans during his lifetime.
Because he died at the young age of 32, he released only two albums—a very small number—but he continues to influence many artists today.
“All Your Love” is an orthodox Chicago blues number that puts his catchy style front and center.
Everybody Needs Somebody To LoveSolomon Burke
A song written by Solomon Burke—pioneer of soul and country music and an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—together with Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler.
This song, which praises the virtues of a loved one, has become one of Burke’s most famous tracks.
Double TroubleStevie Ray Vaughan
As the successor to Johnny Winter, guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan had a profound impact on the blues world.
His sound was heavily influenced by Elmore James and Albert King, giving it a distinct Chicago blues atmosphere.
His classic track ‘Double Trouble’ embodies the hallmarks of those guitarists, resulting in a quintessential blues number.
Be sure to check it out.