Recommend some old school blues.

[GianGian]

Hi.
I've been wanting to get to know blues better and I would like to get to know the most influential blues people. I don't mind the bass at all, I just want to get to know the most important people to the development of the style.
I am already familiar with the Robert Johnson recordings. I would like to get some recommendations of people that started to play up until 59, not after.
If you could tell me what is the subgenre that they are usually considered to be it would be nice. Album recommendations would be nice to, instead of only the names of the players. Remember, I want stuff that was influential and widely recognized, not necesarilty something you like or that "is great music".
Thanks in advance.

[rjny36]

Well, early blues wasn't about albums. It was about two sides of a 78 rpm record.

However, if you've got the ability, I highly recommend two "box sets" from JSP Records...

The first is called "Legends of Country Blues." This has the most influential cuts by Son House, Tommy Johnson, Skip James, Bukka White, and Ishman Bracey... Bracey being the least influential of the group.

The second box set is "The Complete Recordings" of Charley Patton. This set is a must-have. Charley was the first star of the blues. This set also has Son House, Willie Brown (the two known songs from the Willie Brown that Robert Johnson sings about!), and The Delta Big Four recordings.

JSP is an awesome company to buy a lot of this music from, as their sets sell for around $25 here in the U.S., and are usually 4 or 5 c.d.'s.

[jerry]

The early recordings of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon also fit into the pre '59 category.

[Stumbo]

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues

Each name referenced in the article has a link and a discography.

[edmidlifecrisis]

Mississippi John Hurt acoustic blues. The finest kind.

Try Avalon Blues-the complete 1928 Okeh recordings, or any of the Library of Congress recordings.(These might have been made slightly after 1959 but he started playing in the twenties). Great story about how he was rediscovered many years after his 1928 recording, went on the folk circuit and became very popular for a few years until his death in the mid 1960's. Fortunately for us he made a bunch of recordings in that later period.

It will change your life!!

Have a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRQgQhcEPHI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39RBm4tH9cA

[chicago_mike]

Hound Dog Talyor

Otis Clay

Johnny Taylor

Johnny Dollar

Big Momma Horton

Z.Z. Hill

Carey Bell

Eddie Clearwater ( my first "big" gig )

Koko Taylor

Robert Johnson

Son House

Son Seals RIP Knew him a little.

Kenny Neal

Muddy

Little Milton

Little Ed and the Blues Imperials

Little Walter

Junoir Wells

Jimmy Reed --- you need this for " The Lump"

Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues

Countless, new and old, traditional and expanding blues groups.

[Blown Cone]

Newer in the whole scheme of things, but Tom Waits (his bluesiest was during the blue valentine album to the rain dogs series) Heartattack and vine, and Blue valentine are his tops for bluesy.

Coco Montoya
Hollywood fats
David Gogo
Booker T and the MGs

These guys rule.

[Andrew Jones]

I dig blind lemon Jefferson


Aj

[5StringBlues]

Amos Milburn
Lowell Fulson
Memphis Slim and the Houserockers
Johnny "Guitar" Watson's early recordings
Big Bill Broonzy

[Deluge Of Sound]

The only name I'll add to this really killer list we've got going is Leadbelly.

[GianGian]

Wow, I have a lot of music to check out. Thanks to all!!

[Barkless Dog]

Anything from Johnny Winter

I like Gary Moore's blues stuff as well

[5StringBlues]

Bad Bad Whiskey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPPvsErNQY

Blues doesnt HAVE to be sad.........

[Terry Funk]

Earl Hooker, the master of the slide guitar, and one of unheralded greatest guitarists of all time. Give him a listen, you will not be dissapointed.

[Andrew Jones]

Blind Willie Mctell

Blind Boy Fuller

Mamie Smith

Ma Rainie

Henry Tomas

Skip James

Bukka White

Otis Rush

[RHFusillo]

Good names on this list so far. I'd also recommend Houston's own Lightnin' Hopkins.

[5StringBlues]

Originally Posted by RHFusillo

Good names on this list so far. I'd also recommend Houston's own Lightnin' Hopkins.

How the hell did I forget that one?!?

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

...

Big Mama Thornton

...Countless, new and old, traditional and expanding blues groups.

fixed it for ya' . . .

[Cosmic Closet]

For some transitional blues, try Jim Jackson and/or Blind Blake. They play in the early syncopated style which came out of Ragtime in the 20es. Blake in particular was a virtuoso on guitar in that style.

CC.

[Flabass]

Elmore James