CD-Charts Position 31
Average Rating:

Fathers and Sons

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Muddy Waters

Release Date October 30, 2001
There are seminal moments in the arts when circumstances bring giants together in perfect alignment, and this album is one of them. The cast could never be better than the one contained herein, with the huge blues voice of Muddy Waters leading the way, half-brother Otis Spann pounding out some of his most brilliant piano ever, Paul Butterfield blowing his harp as if nations rise or fall by his effort, Mike Bloomfield (not long for this world after this 1969 recording) spinning out black blues guitar licks in a faithful but trailblazing fashion, plus a killer rhythm section of Stax/Volt's Donald "Duck" Dunn and Muddy's own Sam Lay on drums.

The songs are Muddy classics, from the thundering "40 Days And 40 Nights" to the braggadocio ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 32
Average Rating:

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Release Date October 25, 1990
Along with Earl Hooker's "The Moon Is Rising", this album is a Chicago Blues masterpiece. Though the lead singer and harmonica player is white, his singing is more than credible and his harmonica playing is excellent. Guitarist Michael Bloomfield plays some incendiary lead guitar, and was taken from us much too early. His death is a tragedy in the truest sense of the world. I recently viewed a video of him at one of the many folk festivals during the 1960s, perhaps Newport, talking about how his father is rich, his family is Jewish, he had a Bar Mitzvah, and how he'll never be able to play or sing like Son House. His admiration for the great Son House was more than obvious. Recently, rock guitar magazines have started to talk more about Bloomfield and his wonderful ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 33
Average Rating:

Ultimate Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Freddie King

Release Date April 10, 2001
I had been looking for a good compilation of Freddie's music for a while. This one does the trick! This really is the best of his earlier work!

CD-Charts Position 34
Average Rating:

At Newport

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Muddy Waters

Release Date February 27, 2001
This album is so good it should be mandatory listening before any young punk even thinks about playing guitar.

Great songs, great recording, even greater artist.

Buy it, play it and share it with folks who think rock and roll started with Elvis...

CD-Charts Position 35
Average Rating:

King of the Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: B.B. King

Release Date October 20, 1992
THIS IS NOT ONLY THE BEST BLUES FROM ONE OF ITS BEST BLUESMAN, BUT IT IS ALSO A HISTORY OF B.B. FROM START TILL NOW. THE BOOK IT COMES WITH IS OUTSTANDING

CD-Charts Position 36
Average Rating:

A Brief History Of The Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Various Artists

Release Date August 26, 2008
This is a solid introductory collection of blues songs. I think the standout is "Oh Death," performed by Doyle Bramhall II and Erykah Badu, but there really isn't a bad song in the bunch. I also like that listeners are exposed to a wide variety of blues from Delta to Chicago and more.

CD-Charts Position 37
Average Rating:

Howlin' Wolf/Moanin' in the Moonlight

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Howlin' Wolf

Release Date October 25, 1990
Howlin' Wolf is one of the seminal blues artists. His guitar and that scritchy voice are definitive of the blues standard. This CD is actually a two-fer, a Chess compilation of his two first albums: Howlin' Wolf and Moanin' at Midnight.

The packaging isn't much to be proud of. You get liner notes, but not much else and the paper's pretty disreputable.

Favorites:

"Back Door Man" you'll hear this one covered all over the place, but nobody does it like the Wolf.

"Evil" well, doesn't the name say it?

"Going Down Slow" this is an interesting perspective on the music business and money.

Rebecca Kyle, August 2008

CD-Charts Position 38
Average Rating:

The Ultimate Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: B.B. King

Release Date March 15, 2005
What can I say? It's BB King's greatest hits. If you're a BB King fan who wants to stick one CD in and drive, this is the one!

CD-Charts Position 39
Average Rating:

From the Cradle

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Eric Clapton

Release Date September 13, 1994
First, let me say I have nothing against white blues guitar slingers. Love Bloomfield and Jonny Winter.

Second, as a "classic rock dude" Clapton can't be beat. Layla, and all that other stuff- its seminal classic rock. The guy almost defines the genre.

However, as a blues player, and especially as a blues singer, he is way overrated. People float him five stars because of the above classic rock god status. "Clapton? I love Clapton. Five stars."

The licks are ok, the solos are ok when he keeps them short. When he tries to go gonzo on a slow blues, he just sounds silly. Everything after Bluesbreakers was downhill for the guy blues-wise.

And the singing. Terrible. Imagine the whitest dude you know- Nay, the whitest BRITISH dude you ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 40
Average Rating:

La Bamba: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 25, 1990
For the most part, this is a great soundtrack. The only problem I have with this, is that the "La Bamba" on the CD is not the exact one played in the movie during the concert and also at the end of the movie where the credits are. The one in the movie is SLIGHTLY faster and upbeat. Would have loved to have that version on the CD.