Who's the best blues player who ever lived?

[Jimi75]

I know it sounds KLISCHEE, but to me it is:

Robert Johnson

BUT on the same level I see Albert King.

:bravo:

 

[ZMAN]

Robert BTW: I recently picked up one of my favourite Albert King CDs. I had in in Vinyl from the 70s and I recently found it on CD. Live wire Blues power.
He does Watermelon Man on it and several other live tunes. Really great.
Another must have is his In session with SRV. I was done at CHCH TV. In Hamilton, Ontario. There is a Tape of it also but I have not found it yet.That is another great CD where there are cuts of him and Stevie talking as they are jamming.
One of the wackiest I have is Called "The King Does the King's thing" where he does nothing but Elvis Presley songs. Of course in his style.
I must say that he is probably the reason I play Blues guitar and is probably my favourite player, but Buddy Guy has a broader playing skill and that is why he gets my vote.

 

[Robert]

Zman, kewl - I'd love to hear that Live Wire Blues album. I have In Session - great stuff.

 

[ZMAN]

Here is a little slice of him doing Watermelon Man. also Caddilac Assembly line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzSHIE5la1g
I like this one because it show is fingering on his classic licks.
There must be some way we can swap some audio files. I have it on my ipod. I am just not sure best how to do it. I could always burn you a copy and send it.
Brian

 

[dabacosm]

Missing the Point?

I find this discussion fascinating actually--it seems so simple and inocuous but I think to ask who's the "best" blues player that ever lived is to completely miss the point of blues music entirely. I don't think it's about talent, technique or proficiency. For me, it's (hands down) about totality of the expressive nature of the music. I have lived long enough to see so many great unknowns in my life, each with their own unique take that I find the variety a breath of fresh air. Everyone who has been named are no doubt wonderful players, but they are just tiny fraction of what's out there. I'll bet some of you are really quite awesome players yourself. :bravo:

 

[Robert]

dabacosm - you are of course right - there is no "best" blues player. The topic is just food for thought and a way to force some names to come up. I certainly don't look at any music or player as "the best". No, the idea is just to create a vehicle for driving the discussion, if that makes sense.

Now, go and introduce yerself in the Fret Players forum!

 

[indianjjy]

blues player

Check out Josh White...

 

[dabacosm]

Hey Robert--I totally understand that, which is why I tossed some food for thought out there. What interests me is what is left uncontested in the thought of our musical journeys. As you can imagine, I've been fighting stereotypes throughout my career and I think we all have been on some level fighting to get our voices heard. I saw this as an opportunity to see what you all thought. I didn't mean to offend or disprupt. So sorry if it came across that way.

You're right--I must introduce myself to the gang. Where does one usually post those here?

Thanks for all you do!!

Rock on!!

Sue

 

[Robert]

dabacosm - no problemo here!

You can post anywhere and everywhere - make yerself at home!

Oh, I missed one BIG name in blues guitar...
Mr

Jimi

Hendrix!

Just listen to Red House. Jimi was a fantastic blues player in my opinion.

 

[dabacosm]

VERY FUNNY!!! LOL!!! Yeah that's a big one we'd better not forget!!!!!!!!:dude:

Ok. . .If I must say who I like. . .(outside of Hendrix) How about Trower?! Sweeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :AOK:

 

[Rocket]

There are SO many sub-genres of "Blues" and many bleed over into each other, (and some that people consider "Blues" are not Blues at all,) and much as I disagree with pigeonholing artists, I'll toss Steve Thorpe & Johnny Hiland into the mix...

 

[Katastrophe]

It's difficult for me to come up with a favorite. Buddy Guy, BB King, SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, John Lee Hooker, and Jimi all rank up there with me.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, David Gilmour then, if we are going wider. I like his blues style better than Claptons anyway.

 

[street music]

For pure blues, BB KING would be my pick but like others have stated many use blues or play blues styles into rock or county. Many great ones already named.

 

[marnold]

It must be me. Everybody who hears me play breaks down crying.

 

[ShortBuSX]

Id say Otis Rush is my absolute favorite blues guitarist, played lefty strung righty...just amazing!

Id say John Lee Hooker for his simplicity and that raw-ness.

And then Freddie King cause he was an all around great bluesman, its hard to pigeon hole him into one blues class/style.

And you just gotta love Joe Bonamassa, like SRV before him.

Those are my picks.

 

[sumitomo]

Roach Mulligan no doubt about it that old silvertone he played with the soapbars in it tone for days and his singing man,no one comes close.He died in a fire it is said he probably fell asleep with a cig (they will kill ya one way or another)and his old silvertone made it,it was in the closet just a little bubbling on the paint surface from the heat.Sumi

 

[ShortBuSX]

Kinda sad how nobody ever mentions/considers Chuck Berry...although maybe not "the best", he sure did alot for both blues and rock n roll.

 

[Brian Krashpad]

Kinda sad how nobody ever mentions/considers Chuck Berry...although maybe not "the best", he sure did alot for both blues and rock n roll.

Fwiw, Chuck is always on my list of personal faves.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Chuck to me, along with Buddy, is the father of much of the music I love. I just did not consider him for being a blues player though. I consider him a bridge to rock.

 

[Robert]

Chuck was king at rock'n roll playing, but he wasn't really a blues player, was he?

 

[player]

In short there really are No ''bests'' but there are plenty of favorites.
way too many to even try to list but like the names that came up.
Yes Robert Chuck Berry was a Bluesman pre Rock n Roll fame.around the time I moved here A friend had some of his material which is getting tough to find.

 

[Kazz]

Then - Robert Johnson who started my love of the blues

Now - Keb Mo that guy can make a guitar cry.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Roach Mulligan no doubt about it that old silvertone he played with the soapbars in it tone for days and his singing man,no one comes close.He died in a fire it is said he probably fell asleep with a cig (they will kill ya one way or another)and his old silvertone made it,it was in the closet just a little bubbling on the paint surface from the heat.Sumi

You've caught my interest sumi.

I've heard everyone else mentioned, but haven't even heard of Roach Mulligan.

It's hard to find info on him. Gerry Mulligan (excellent baraitone sax player) & Max Roach (killer jazz drummer) keep popping up.

I even did a search that wouldn't show pages with Gerry or Max on them.

Give us more sumi!

 

[mechanic]

Blind boy Fuller perhaps?
I'm also pretty partial to Albert Collins stuff.

 

[ShortBuSX]

Chuck was king at rock'n roll playing, but he wasn't really a blues player, was he?

Although Jimi Hendrix put out ONE blues album, Chuck was more of a bluesman.
And if you look/listen closer, even Chucks rockin hits were really blues.
No Particular Place To Go?
Johnny B Goode?

I was actually listening to this video when Id originally suggested Chuck...granted hes not settin the fretboard on fire...but that is damn good blues none the less.(maybe its the vocal?)

 

[Robert]

No Particular Place To Go?
Johnny B Goode?

Chuck was great, but those aren't blues songs in my ears.

That video was cool. Chuck definitely had blues close to his heart.

You can still hear how Chuck Berry does that typical rockn'roll rhythmic stuff, which was his signature thing, I think.

 

[Spudman]

Luther Allison always captured me. He has since left us but I discovered him early in my career and was captivated by his fiery spirit. It's like he was preaching about how bad things can get but brazenly defying being taken down the deep dark hole.

Here he talks a little about his history and then plays some music.

 

[sumitomo]

You've caught my interest sumi.

I've heard everyone else mentioned, but haven't even heard of Roach Mulligan.

It's hard to find info on him. Gerry Mulligan (excellent baraitone sax player) & Max Roach (killer jazz drummer) keep popping up.

I even did a search that wouldn't show pages with Gerry or Max on them.

Give us more sumi!

All right then you see a friend of mine a long time had this old silvertone guitar,blistered paint and we were at a gig party and someone was asking him about his old silvertone and how it got in that condition,so out of my mouth came that Roach Mulligan story and it has stuck ever since and now you guys cam use it! truth.Sumi:AOK:

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

All right then you see a friend of mine a long time had this old silvertone guitar,blistered paint and we were at a gig party and someone was asking him about his old silvertone and how it got in that condition,so out of my mouth came that Roach Mulligan story and it has stuck ever since and now you guys cam use it! truth.Sumi:AOK:

I will. In fact, I'll join the Roach Mulligan Fan Club.

Got any t-shirts .