Blues Guitarists?

Question

I'm looking for some different players to listen to. Of course I listen to Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Freddie and Albert, Muddy, Buddy, B.B, SRV, EC- you get the idea.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Answer 1

Three all-time greats that, for some reason, no one has mentioned so far (and that you don't hear much about):

1. Skip James--His "Devil Got My Woman" is the eerie song the lead character in the movie Ghost World falls in love with and listens to all night. His "I'm So Glad" was made into a rock hit in the 60's by Eric Clapton, but he hated that version, and so do I. (He did, however, appreciate the royalties.) Try to get the early recordings album. Yeah, it sounds a little scratchy and all, but he was at the height of his abilities when those sides were recorded. The later recordings, made after he was "rediscovered," are easier listening, and in some cases genuinely beautiful (his voice aged nicely), but you can tell his fingers aren't flying quite as fast as in the early days.

2. Rev. Gary Davis--He struggled most of his professional life with whether he could be a good Christian and a blues player at the same time. The ultimate answer is that he was both. Though he put out only one purely "secular" recording late in his life (at the exhortation of those who wanted his "pure" blues recordings saved for posterity), his religious albums exhibit some incredible guitar playing. He was blind, and he used an unusual technique which I don't appreciate (not being a guitar player myself). But I've got some DVDs of him playing and my sons are just astonished every time.

3. Robert Pete Williams--They say that he wasn't influenced by anyone, and that (unlike the other two) he himself didn't influence anyone else because he was so unique. I haven't heard anything like him, and I don't know how to explain him in musical terms, but the more I listen, the more I appreciate him. At the very least, I can say that his songs are intensely personal and original--no one else is likely to cover most of these. Make sure that in addition to his individual albums you hear the songs by him on "Angola Prisoner's Blues," an amazing field recording album. His song "Prisoner's Talking Blues" was supposedly improvised on the spot. For his guitar playing, though, "I'm Lonesome Blues" shows off his skills.

I've barely touched on these guys, so below are the links discussing them and their work on the allmusic.com website.

Answer 2

Son House, Lowell Folsom, Houston Stackhouse, Robert Nighthawk, R.L.Burnside, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Junior Kimbrough, Honey Boy Edwards, Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Big Boy Cruddup, Memphis Minnie.. these are semi obscure to some but icons amongst bluesman/woman and there are tons more.. Buy DVD "DEEP BLUES" or "BLUES STORY".. also, when You purchase a CD, if its got decent liner notes, see if there are other composers besides the featured artist and follow the dots.. many gem's out there, finally, you are an aspiring blues guitarist.. bluesmen such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, Big Joe Williams (9 string guitar).. Lightnin' Hopkins, Fuzzy Lewis feature on DVD from back in the day footage. Thses are a great learnimg tools, most of the shots are of fingers on strings fingers on fret board, put your player on a slower speed that still carries the sound and you'll discover major "secrets"..good luck -paul

Answer 3

Some of the killer youngbloods on the scene are Doyle Bramhall, His dad wrote cold shot for srv and he produces and performs with Clapton, Mato from a group called indigienous is incredible, Ian moore is killer, Derek Trucks is great but can be a little jazzy (I mean that in a good way) Tinsey Ellis is a great guitarist. Peter green, gary moore, Big Bill Broonzy is old school. Check em out

Answer 4

Mike Bloomfield, (early) Roy Buchanon (particularly his Second Album), Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, Jimmy Johnson, T Bone Walker, Johnny Winter (especially Progressive Blues Experiment), Duane Allman (particularly the Allman Bros. - Live At The Fillmore), (early) Bonnie Raitt

Answer 5

Check out these guys: Guitar Slim, JB Lenoir, Elmore James, T-Bone Walker, Gatemouth Brown, Mike Bloomfield, Johnny Winter, Son House, Roy Buchanan, Pat Hare, Ike Turner, Robert Junior Lockwood, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins. Oh and, some cat named Hendrix.

Answer 6

John Fahey
http://www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B000003Z93001004/104-8412583-2845536

Answer 7

Roy Buchanan, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks, Duane Allman, Steve Cropper, Robin Trower, and any of the guitarists that played with John Mayall.

Answer 8

I'm trying to come up with some less obvious choices. These guys are great:

Chris Duarte - Funky Texas-style blues. Amazing, amazing guitarist!

Jimmy Thackery - Cool blues, kinda similar to SRV but maybe more of a surf-guitar influence at times.

Vivian Campbell - Yes, THAT Viv Campbell (the guy from Dio who currently plays for Def Leppard). He recently put out a great blues album called "Two Sides Of If", with probably my favorite version of "Come On In My Kitchen" ever. Also great versions of other classic blues songs. He's an incredible, soulful guitarist and has a great voice too.

And then, for more mainstream stuff:

Keb' Mo' - If you're into the whole acoustic slide/fingerpicking thing, he has some great acoustic stuff (in addition to other authentic-sounding, great original blues tunes).

Check out the video links to YouTube for Duarte and Thackery, especially the Duarte one from 1992. Man, I love his style!

Answer 9

Hound Dog Taylor, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, early Ray Charles, Jeff Healy, Pine Top Perkins, Eddie the Chief Clearwater...

Answer 10

There was a very talented Irish guitarist named Rory Gallagher (died 1996), who incorporated blues into some very fiery rock and roll.

I always liked Hubert Sumlin, who played on Howlin' Wolf's records.

If you want to dig way back, check out the work of Lonnie Johnson. There is also the great Elmore James. Jimmie Rogers was pretty good. In fact, Jimmy's last record was one he released in 1997, shortly before his death, that featured a variety of guests like Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Jeff Healey, Jimmie Page, and Keith & Mick. It's a pretty good record.

My all time favorite, though, is T-Bone Walker.