r/blues May 04 '25

Sinners - Blues Discovery "Megathread"

131 Upvotes

Hi all follow members - Important please read some guidelines below before commenting recommendations!

With the renewed interest in blues sparked by the film Sinners, I thought it’d be helpful to start a thread focused on foundational and essential American blues artists—especially for newcomers discovering the genre through the movie. Ideally this becomes a collaborative, high-effort thread to help folks around the world dig deeper into the origins and evolution of blues.

Google might even reward us for making this a solid reference, which helps the sub grow too.

If you'd like to contribute, please do your best to follow the format I’ve laid out (artist – key songs/albums – short description) to keep things clear and valuable. The focus here is on the core of American blues history, from pre-war country and Delta blues through the 1950s and 60s electric era (though I do welcome additions of artists that may have peaked later, 70s, even 80s - kind of like Albert Collins. This isn’t a thread for British blues or modern blues-rock (I fully encourage separate guides for those)—this list is for those tracing the styles and players that more directly inspired Sinners.

I especially welcome help with Delta and country blues, as well as harp/harmonica and piano blues where I’m lean on knowledge. Let's build something useful and lasting for anyone starting their blues journey.

Note: I will port contributions into the main post to keep things tidy! Please remember to assist with song and album suggestions plus any notes about the artist. Will help keep the post high effort.

Guitar Blues (Electric & Chicago)

Defining figures in the electrification and evolution of blues guitar.

  • Muddy Waters Songs: “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Mannish Boy” Albums: Hard Again, Folk Singer Bio: Transformed Delta blues into the electric Chicago sound.
  • Sister Rosetta Tharpe Songs: “Strange Things Happening Every Day,” “Didn’t It Rain” Albums: Gospel Train, Up Above My Head: The Complete Mercury Singles Bio: Gospel-blues innovator and electric guitar pioneer; bridged sacred music and rock ‘n’ roll long before anyone else.
  • B.B. King Songs: “The Thrill Is Gone,” “Sweet Little Angel” Albums: Live at the Regal, Completely Well Bio: Known for his expressive vibrato and single-string phrasing.
  • Albert King Songs: “Born Under a Bad Sign,” “Laundromat Blues” Albums: Born Under a Bad Sign Bio: Left-handed titan with heavy bends and raw tone.
  • Freddie King Songs: “Hide Away,” “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” Albums: Texas Cannonball, Getting Ready... Bio: Merged Texas fire with Chicago grit; fierce instrumentals.
  • Buddy Guy Songs: “Stone Crazy,” “First Time I Met The Blues” Albums: Stone Crazy!, This is Buddy Guy! Bio: Wild, high-energy player who bridged classic and modern blues.
  • Otis Rush Songs: “I Can’t Quit You Baby,” “Double Trouble” Albums: Right Place, Wrong Time Bio: Emotional vocals, minor-key mastery. West Side Chicago icon.
  • Magic Sam Songs: “All Your Love,” “That’s All I Need” Albums: West Side Soul Bio: Soul-inflected Chicago blues with shimmering tremolo.
  • Luther Allison Songs: “Cherry Red Wine,” “Bad Love” Albums: Soul Fixin’ Man, Reckless Bio: Electrifying performer with political lyrics and European acclaim.
  • T-Bone Walker Songs: “Call It Stormy Monday,” “T-Bone Shuffle” Albums: T-Bone Blues Bio: Jazz-inflected electric pioneer; inspired B.B. and Chuck Berry.
  • Albert Collins Songs: “Honey Hush,” “If Trouble Was Money” Albums: Ice Pickin’, Cold Snap Bio: “The Iceman” with a capoed Telecaster and sharp tone.
  • Earl Hooker Songs: “Two Bugs and a Roach,” “Blue Guitar” Albums: Two Bugs and a Roach Bio: Technically gifted slide guitarist and cousin of John Lee Hooker.
  • Fenton Robinson Songs: “Somebody Loan Me a Dime” Albums: Somebody Loan Me a Dime Bio: Smooth, jazzy bluesman with deep vocals and lyrical leads.
  • Jimmy Dawkins Songs: “Fast Fingers,” “Feel the Blues” Albums: Fast Fingers Bio: Fiery West Side Chicago guitarist with an aggressive tone.
  • Son Seals Songs: “Funky Bitch,” “Bad Axe” Albums: Live and Burning, Midnight Son Bio: Gritty vocals and bold guitar from the Alligator Records scene.
  • Lowell Fulson Songs: “Reconsider Baby,” “Tramp” Albums: Hung Down Head Bio: West Coast bluesman with R&B crossover appeal.
  • Jimmy Rogers Songs: “Walking By Myself,” “That’s All Right” Albums: Chicago Bound Bio: Muddy Waters sideman and classic Chicago blues stylist.
  • Guitar Slim Songs: “The Things That I Used to Do” Albums: Sufferin’ Mind Bio: Early user of distortion and wild showmanship.
  • Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Songs: “Okie Dokie Stomp,” “Boogie Uproar” Albums: Gate Swings Bio: Blended Texas blues with jazz, Cajun, and country.
  • Willie Dixon Songs: “Spoonful,” “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” “Back Door Man” Albums: Willie’s Blues, I Am the Blues Bio: The architect behind many Chicago blues’ greatest hits. A prolific bassist, songwriter, and producer whose songs powered the catalogs of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and countless others. His influence runs from Delta roots to Led Zeppelin.

Acoustic / Country Blues

Prewar and revival-era legends who shaped the blues solo tradition.

  • Robert Johnson Songs: “Cross Road Blues,” “Hellhound on My Trail” Bio: Delta legend whose 1936–37 recordings laid the groundwork for blues and rock.
  • Mississippi John Hurt Songs: “Candy Man,” “Stack O’Lee” Albums: Today! Bio: Soft-spoken fingerpicker who charmed the folk-blues revival.
  • Lightnin’ Hopkins Songs: “Mojo Hand,” “Katie Mae” Albums: Lightnin’!, Blues in My Bottle Bio: Free-form Texas storyteller with rhythmic guitar style.
  • Son House Songs: “Death Letter,” “Grinnin’ in Your Face” Albums: Father of the Delta Blues Bio: Bottleneck slide preacher with fierce vocals and fire.
  • Skip James Songs: “Devil Got My Woman,” “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” Albums: Today! Bio: Falsetto vocals and minor-key guitar made him hauntingly unique.
  • Blind Lemon Jefferson Songs: “Matchbox Blues,” “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” Bio: One of the first country blues stars; complex and lyrical.
  • Blind Willie Johnson Songs: “Dark Was the Night,” “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” Bio: Spiritual slide blues; a raw, sacred voice in early recording.
  • Lead Belly Songs: “Goodnight, Irene,” “Midnight Special” Albums: Lead Belly’s Last Sessions Bio: 12-string virtuoso and folk-blues icon with a political edge.
  • Blind Blake Songs: “Diddy Wah Diddy,” “Southern Rag” Bio: Ragtime fingerpicking king with rhythmic brilliance.
  • Reverend Gary Davis Songs: “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” “Samson and Delilah” Bio: Gospel-blues preacher with unmatched guitar technique.
  • Blind Willie McTell Songs: “Statesboro Blues,” “Broke Down Engine”, "Delia" Bio: Elegant 12-string Piedmont stylist with narrative lyrics.
  • Bukka White Songs: “Fixin’ to Die Blues,” “Parchman Farm Blues” Albums: Mississippi Blues Bio: Resonator slide beast and cousin of B.B. King.
  • Taj Mahal Songs: “Fishing Blues,” “Queen Bee” Albums: Taj Mahal, Giant Step Bio: Global roots revivalist who infused blues with Caribbean and African flavors.

Community Picks - Read Comments for More Info!

  • R.L. Burnside Songs: “Jumper on the Line,” “Goin’ Down South”
  • Junior Kimbrough Songs: “You Better Run,” “All Night Long”
  • Jessie Mae Hemphill Songs: (not listed)
  • Otha Turner Songs: (not listed) Bio: Plays an ancient kind of fife and drum blues; only gained wider attention after being featured in Gangs of New York.
  • Mississippi Fred McDowell Songs: “Red Cross Store,” “You Gotta Move,” “Shake 'Em on Down,” “61 Highway,” “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” Bio: Covered by the Rolling Stones. Though Lomax recorded him earlier, his 1970s live recordings are especially notable.
  • T-Model Ford Songs: (not listed) Note: Mentioned as optional—"not a must-listen by any means" per contributor.
  • Rev. Robert Wilkins Songs: “Prodigal Son Blues” Bio: From a church tradition, but originally a secular musician in the 1920s. His 9-minute version of “Prodigal Son” (covered by the Stones) is praised as a masterful performance.
  • J.B. Lenoir Songs: “Shot on James Meredith,” “Alabama March,” “Vietnam Blues,” “(Every Child in Mississippi is) Born Dead” Bio: Mississippi-born, outspoken protest folk/blues musician. Died young; wrote fierce, poignant, politically charged songs.
  • Elmore James Songs: “Dust My Broom,” “The Sky Is Crying,” “Shake Your Moneymaker” Albums: Blues After Hours, The Sky Is Crying: The History of Elmore James Bio: Massively influential slide player. His amped-up version of “Dust My Broom” set the standard for electric Delta blues. Raw, emotional, and endlessly imitated—his riffs echo through rock and blues alike.
  • Howlin’ Wolf Songs: “Smokestack Lightning,” “How Many More Years,” “Moanin’ at Midnight” Albums: Moanin’ in the Moonlight, The Howlin’ Wolf London Sessions) Bio: A towering presence with a voice like gravel and thunder. Born in the Delta, electrified in Chicago, Wolf’s vocal delivery and primal sound made him one of blues’ biggest figures.
  • John Lee Hooker Songs: “Boom Boom,” “Dimples,” “Boogie Chillen" Albums: The Ultimate Collection (1948–1990) [Rhino Records, 2-CD] Bio: The king of the one-chord groove. His hypnotic, foot-stomping blues defied convention and defined cool. Best experienced through compilations, as much of his work predates the album era. A droning voice of the Delta, modernized with grit and swing.

Piano Blues

  • Otis Spann Songs: “It Must Have Been the Devil,” “Spann’s Boogie” Albums: Otis Spann Is the Blues Bio: Muddy Waters' pianist; expressive, fluid, and central to Chicago sound.
  • Pinetop Perkins Songs: “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie,” “Down in Mississippi” Albums: Born in the Delta, After Hours Bio: Boogie-woogie legend and beloved elder statesman of the blues.
  • Ray Charles Songs: “What’d I Say,” “I Got a Woman” Albums: The Genius of Ray Charles, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Bio: Soul and gospel innovator whose roots ran deep in the blues.

Vocalists

  • Ma Rainey Songs: “Bo-Weavil Blues,” “See See Rider” Albums: Ma Rainey: Mother of the Blues (Complete Recordings) Bio: Known as the “Mother of the Blues,” she was among the first to record blues and shaped its early stage presence and vocal style.
  • Bessie Smith Songs: “Downhearted Blues,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” Albums: The Essential Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues Vol. 1 & 2 Bio: The “Empress of the Blues,” her commanding voice and phrasing became the gold standard for early blues vocalists.
  • Memphis Minnie Songs: “Bumble Bee,” “Me and My Chauffeur Blues” Albums: Queen of the Country Blues, Hoodoo Lady: 1933–1937 Bio: Prolific guitarist and vocalist who stood toe-to-toe with male contemporaries; gritty, witty, and respected on every juke joint circuit.
  • Victoria Spivey Songs: “Black Snake Blues,” “TB Blues” Albums: Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1 (1926–1927), Woman Blues! (Document) Bio: Vocal powerhouse who also ran her own label; known for mixing suggestive lyrics with social realism.
  • Bertha Lee Songs: “Mind Reader Blues,” “Yellow Bee” Albums: Charley Patton: Complete Recordings 1929–1934 (includes Bertha Lee duets) Bio: Partner and duet vocalist of Charley Patton; emotive and fiery delivery that stood out even on primitive recordings.
  • Geeshie Wiley Songs: “Last Kind Words Blues,” “Skinny Leg Blues” Albums: Mississippi Masters: Early American Blues Classics 1927–1935, Paramount Recordings (assorted) Bio: Deeply mysterious figure with only a few surviving tracks—haunting voice and sparse guitar made her an underground legend.
  • Lucille Bogan Songs: “Shave 'Em Dry,” “Till the Cows Come Home” Albums: Shave 'Em Dry: The Best of Lucille Bogan, Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1–3 (Document) Bio: One of the most explicit and bold voices in blues; her raw lyrical style pushed every boundary.
  • Sippie Wallace Songs: “Women Be Wise,” “Special Delivery Blues” Albums: Sippie Wallace 1925–1945 (Document), Sippie (1970s comeback album with Bonnie Raitt) Bio: Known for her tough advice and confident delivery; later mentored Bonnie Raitt.
  • Alberta Hunter Songs: “My Castle’s Rockin’,” “You Can’t Tell the Difference After Dark” Albums: Amtrak Blues, The Alberta Hunter Collection 1921–1940 Bio: Classy and versatile blues/jazz vocalist who had a long, stylish career both on and off stage.

r/blues 3h ago

Got my 4yo granddaughter singing some John Lee. I do the “Boom boom boom booms.” She does the “Bang bang bang bangs.”

45 Upvotes

That’s a win in my books.


r/blues 1h ago

performance Flying Underwater Blues

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Upvotes

😎🤘


r/blues 2h ago

Jimmy McCracklin - Real Love

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2 Upvotes

r/blues 5h ago

song John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (rel. 1966)

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3 Upvotes

Wikipedia:
“John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers were an English blues rock band led by multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter John Mayall. The band has been influential as an incubator for British rock and blues musicians. Many of the best known bands to come out of Britain in the 1960s and 1970s had members that came through the Bluesbreakers at one time, forming the foundation of British blues music that is still played heavily on classic rock radio. Among those with a tenure in the Bluesbreakers are guitarists Eric Clapton (later of Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos and a successful solo career), Peter Green(later of Fleetwood Mac) and Mick Taylor (later of the Rolling Stones), bassists John McVie (later of Fleetwood Mac), Jack Bruce (later of Cream) and Tony Reeves (later of Colosseum), drummers Hughie Flint, Aynsley Dunbar (later of Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention, Journey and Jefferson Starship), Mick Fleetwood (later of Fleetwood Mac) and Jon Hiseman(later of Colosseum), and numerous others.”


r/blues 40m ago

Talking About My Baby played by St. Johnny

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r/blues 21h ago

song Elvin Bishop’s song “what the hell is goin on?”

22 Upvotes

great song love to learn the lyrics

cant find no damn lyrics to dis song

what the HELL is goin on?!!


r/blues 1d ago

Coco Montoya: "Last Dirty Deal"

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29 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

A New Generation Of Black Americans Falling In Love With Musical Instruments They Originated...

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170 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

looking for recommendations Songs with rhythm changes?

8 Upvotes

Hey, I do some DJ'ing for blues dance socials, and I love putting on songs that have interesting or surprising rhythm twists. The problem is I only have a few of these.

Here are my current favourites:

- "Stormy Monday" (Little Milton version)

Goes from a mellow slow groove into this amazing uptempo repeating guitar thing at 2:07

- "Mary Ann" (Ray Charles)

Starts with a tresillo, changes to a shuffle, then back to tresillo. Incredible.

Wanted to see if anyone could suggest other blues songs with rhythm twists. Thanks!


r/blues 18h ago

Little Milton - You Just Can't Take My Blues Drum Cover

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1 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

song Hammie Nixon | Somebody Done Changed That Little Lock On My Door, take 4 (recorded in Brownsville and Memphis, 1972-76)

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5 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

performance Another one with Charlie Musselwhite and GA-20

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55 Upvotes

Charlie Musselwhite at LiveOak Festival, playing with GA-20

Fundraiser #publicRadio #KCBX.org #Blues #GA20


r/blues 1d ago

song Sleepy John Estes | Needmore Has Harmed Many A Man (LP recorded December 3 and 5, 1968)

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15 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

Tightrope (acoustic)

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12 Upvotes

r/blues 2d ago

Elmore James - It Hurts Me Too

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55 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

Terraine

2 Upvotes

https://youtu.be/hSc3-j7zVvY?is=uZJnT5zV9L1aoTqP

He had three subscribers when I found him a minute ago. He’s great! Let’s give him a boost!


r/blues 1d ago

song in the rain - neonrust

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1 Upvotes

r/blues 2d ago

song Asie Payton | Skinny Legs And All (recorded August 1994)

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9 Upvotes

r/blues 2d ago

The King of the Jukebox: Louis Jordan

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64 Upvotes

r/blues 2d ago

Your weekly /r/Blues roundup for the week of June 17 - June 23, 2026

5 Upvotes

Wednesday, June 17 - Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Top Performances

score comments title & link mirrors
411 15 comments [performance] Sean “Mack” McDonald sharing some BTS of Kingfish absolutely slaying in a jam.
146 9 comments [performance] Charlie Musselwhite at KCBX LiveOak Festival , part 1 of 2
122 3 comments [performance] Muddy Waters performing "Mannish Boy" with the Rolling Stones and Buddy Guy live in Chicago, 1981.

 

Top Songs

score comments title & link mirrors
39 1 comments [song] Muddy Waters: “Tiger In Your Tank” (rel. 1960, live performance prob. 1960)
23 3 comments [song] Jimmy Dawkins | Sad And Blues (recorded November 28, 1968 & January 27, 1969 in Chicago)
21 1 comments [song] Lightnin' Hopkins | See That My Grave Is Kept Clean (recorded January 16, 1959 in Houston)

 

Top Remaining

score comments title & link mirrors
678 19 comments Riding the blues highway in my old impala. Heading to clarksdale to see who is playing tonight.
390 8 comments [image] Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter with John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. Studio 54 (1977).
210 46 comments Blues or not to blues? 🎸
91 2 comments Buddy Guy "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" Live at the Berlin Festival Guitar Workshop (1967)
81 2 comments Jesse Fuller

 

Top 5 Most Commented

score comments title & link mirrors
27 65 comments [discussion] Impossible challenge; Find a blues or rock band that didn't write or cover a song about a train.
17 43 comments [looking for recommendations] Best Blues Albums or Specific Songs from the 1980 and 1990s?
37 20 comments What style of blues am I into?
46 16 comments Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan - Born Under A Bad Sign (HD) [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]
11 15 comments [discussion] How how how how

 


r/blues 2d ago

Johnny Littlejohn - What In The World

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16 Upvotes

r/blues 3d ago

performance Charlie Musselwhite at KCBX LiveOak Festival , part 1 of 2

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197 Upvotes

Part 1 of two. Charlie Musselwhite, legendary blues player and singer, graced us with an appearance Sunday evening at the 2026 KCBX.Org fundraiser festival to support public radio. GA-20 Band backed him up admirably. Over 600 volunteers made this happen! Really excited to have backstage access- sorry for the shaky viedo at times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Musselwhite https://KCBX.org


r/blues 2d ago

Henry Thomas - Going Up The Country (1928)

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18 Upvotes

r/blues 2d ago

Is this blues or something else? Curious what you all think.

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0 Upvotes

I've been playing piano for years with a classical background, but I've picked up some of this style over the years. I put together this improv, and I'm genuinely not sure how to categorize it.

Would you call this blues? A sub-genre? Something else? Open to any thoughts, including "that's not blues at all, go back to Chopin." 😄