You’ve asked for blues groups or bands, so that’s what I’ll give you first… Many famous rock bands started as blues bands so try listening to some early works by these classic groups:
The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Canned Heat, The Doors, Them, The Pretty Things, The Animals, Dr Feelgood, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Cream, Nine Below Zero, Paul Butterfield’s Blues Band, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, Little Feat, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Allman Brothers, Ten Years After, Grateful Dead. They were all heavily influenced by the blues and covered many blues artists on their early works.
More modern blues bands would include: Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Hoax, Gov’t Mule, The Black Keys, Back Door Slam, North Mississippi Allstars, Two Gallants, even The White Stripes.
As for classic blues must-haves, you will not do wrong with the classic blues of Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Jimmy Reed, Slim Harpo, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim. Also Albert King, BB King, Freddie King and Albert Collins. For some soul blues try Ray Charles, Junior Walker and Bobby Blue Bland. For delta blues try Robert Johnson and Son House. The best modern blues artists are Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks and John Mayer. Modern traditional blues would include Eric Bibb, Alvin Youngblood Hart and Corey Harris.
I guess that will be enough for now! Enjoy!
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend for you to listen to the older stuff. I’d start w/ the electric blues: Muddy Waters, B. B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan (he is really quite a bit more recent than the rest of them), Eric Clapton does a pretty nice job. Bob Dylan does an ok job, but then again, he’d be leaning more towards the acoustic side.
If you like that stuff, then check out the older blues. My personal favorite genres are the Chicago, Memphis and Delta blues. Check Robert Johnson, known as the king of the Delta blues, Bessie Smith, Lightnin Hopkins, etc. It’s all great stuff.
I agree with Jimi, but he forgot a few all blues lovers should listen to:
1. Stevie Ray Vaughan
2. Ray Charles
3. Bill Whithers (Did the song “Lean On Me”)
4. I call these guys the three Kings (Albert, B.B., and Freddy) *all last name King.
These are some of the most legendary blues artist ever. When I go play blues at open jams I always hear several of these guys songs.
get -
the cd ” Future Blues ” – by Canned Heat
or ” Now ” by The Rolling Stones
also, the early stuff by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, on Chrysalis Records, such as ………….
1
The Fabulous Thunderbirds (aka Girls Go Wild)
10/79
2
What’s The Word
05/80
3 – Butt Rockin’ – released – 03 / 81
4- T-Bird Rhythm -released- 10/82
5 – Tuff Enuff -released 06/86
6 – HOT NUMBER – released – 08 / 87
If you like blues harp try Paul Butterfield, Charlie Musslewhite, Junior Wells, James Cotton
For guitar B.B. King, Buddy Guy
Also try Albert Collins, Anson Funderburgh ,Coco Montoyo, Debbie Davies, Ronnie Earl, Rory Block, Howlin Wolf ,Willie Dixon, Paul Lamb, Paul Oscher
I like John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Son House, Muddy Waters. Old school. Try Buddy Guy and Keb’ Mo’. They are both great. But if you’re more of a rocker, listen to Cream, George Thororgood, Led Zeppelin’s first two albums, John Mayall Bluesbreakers. Lot of Hendrix’s live stuff had blues jams. Eric Clapton has a newer CD out called “Me and Mr Johnson”, where he just kills it on all of Robert Johnson’s old stuff. Try finding that, it’s great.
Muddy Waters
Howlin’ Wolf
B.B. King
Lightinin’ Hopkins
Elmore James
T-Bone Walker
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Robert Johnson
Sonny Boy Williamson
Buddy Guy
Willie Dixon
Etta James
Koko Taylor
For a new blues listener, go right to MUDDY WATERS. Soak up his work, and he will lead you down many side streets (Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, etc.)
No-one’s mentioned GOD – Eric Clapton!
try mid 60′s dylan (blonde on blonde, highway 61), then try Robert Johnson, Leadbelly stuff like that.