[2026] Masterpieces of Blues Rock: Recommended Albums You Should Listen to at Least Once
The genre known as blues rock is, literally, a style of rock music with the blues as its foundation.
It’s said to have been started by British musicians who admired the great American bluesmen from the birthplace of the blues, and later bands in America emerged that played blues rock as well.
While the genre itself might not be something most people encounter unless they’re avid music fans, in reality many famous bands and artists—familiar even to casual listeners—have been influenced by the blues and expressed it in their own form of rock.
This time, we’re introducing some essential classics of blues rock! We’ve selected definitive live albums—where the genre truly shines—as well as notable releases from recent years.
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- Recommended for rock fans too! — A classic album of modern blues
- A roundup of popular Western blues bands—also recommended for rock fans!
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- Roundup of Famous Overseas Blues Guitarists
- The Appeal of Japanese Blues Rock: A Collection of Classic Japanese Blues Rock Albums
- A roundup of the greatest Western blues artists in history
- Ranking of popular blues songs
- [2026] Masterpieces of UK Rock: A roundup of must-listen recommended albums
- A classic of Japanese blues. Japanese blues that lets you get drunk on the sound and vocals.
- A masterpiece of AOR. A highly recommended album you should listen to at least once.
- The 1970s were the golden age of Western rock! Recommended classics and hit songs
- [Western Music] Tracing the Roots of Funk: Essential Albums Beginners Should Hear at Least Once
[2026] Classic Blues Rock Masterpieces: Must-Listen Recommended Albums (61–70)
communiquéDire Straits
“Communiqué” is the second studio album by the British rock band Dire Straits, released in 1979.
Propelled to stardom by the massive hit “Sultans of Swing,” Dire Straits delivers an album that captivates with Mark Knopfler’s distinctive fingerpicked Stratocaster tone and intoxicating bluesy phrases.
Mystic EyesThem
Watching the video posted this time, I’m once again struck by the members’ youth and the raw, distilled energy with which they channeled their roots music! Hailing from Northern Ireland, Them was the band that featured Van Morrison, who is widely respected by many musicians as a great singer-songwriter.
Morrison’s soulful voice, endowed with powerful and expressive richness, is known as “blue-eyed soul,” and the band gained popularity as a key act of the Mods-to-British Beat scene—indispensable when discussing 1960s British rock.
Their first album, Angry Young Them, released in 1964, is a superb debut whose title says it all: an explosion of youthful emotion.
If you’re into sounds like blues rock or organ-driven garage, this is an album you’re sure to love.
Compared to contemporaries like the Stones and the Animals, it’s notable how many original songs they had.
Six tracks, including the classic Gloria, are originals by Morrison, and it’s striking to realize how clearly his songwriting talent had already emerged at that point.
Of course, their covers of standards have great flavor too!
Smash It! — 1971 Kita Ward Public Hall Livemurahachibu
Smash It! — 1971 Kita Ward Public Hall Live — (March 24, 2010) is an album by the Japanese rock band Murahachibu.
The band continued to focus on live performances, characterized by aggressive lyrics and humorous stage banter.
Their fiery blues-rock spirit shakes listeners to the core and sets their hearts ablaze.
Down by the JettyDr.Feelgood
Down by the Jetty is the debut album by the British rock band Dr.
Feelgood, released in 1975.
Guitarist Wilko Johnson’s pickless chopping (cutting) style became a hot topic at the time.
The RockFrankie Miller
Frankie Miller, hailing from Scotland, is a blue-eyed soul singer-songwriter who gained popularity especially in the 1970s for his husky, soulful voice.
Known for a roots-oriented, connoisseur-pleasing musical style, Miller released The Rock in 1974 under the name Frankie Miller Band, leading his own group.
It’s a masterpiece of blues rock and swamp rock that strongly conveys his admiration for American roots music.
Handling guitar throughout the album—with a sound that leans more toward rock thanks to the full band setup—is the virtuoso Henry McCullough, famed for his work with the Grease Band and Wings.
The record features heavy brass and backing vocals, weaving in elements of Southern soul, country rock, and R&B to gospel, while ultimately molding it all into a distinctly British approach.
Needless to say, Miller’s powerhouse vocals are phenomenal—supremely soulful and cool.
A newly remastered edition with bonus tracks was reissued in 2021, so be sure to check it out.