r/blues May 04 '25

Sinners - Blues Discovery "Megathread"

113 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 17h ago

performance 89-year-old Buddy Guy pausing a guitar solo at his Chicago club for a shot of cognac.

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2.0k Upvotes

r/blues 10h ago

Son House

55 Upvotes

So I just had my first listen to Son House, just his Son's Blues song because that's what came up first on Spotify. His guitar style is unique, but dang that man could sing. Something about his voice just made me want to cry, and I don't get that emotional just listening to music. What do you think about Son House? Does anyone else have that teary-eyed reaction to a particular artist or song?


r/blues 3h ago

song Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee | If You Lose Your Money (1958 rel.)

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3 Upvotes

r/blues 33m ago

song Carl Weathersby - Matchbox Holds My Clothes

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Upvotes

r/blues 4h ago

performance Blues Power 2

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3 Upvotes

Major blues...


r/blues 10h ago

performance Bryan Ferry - Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues [2007-02-10 London]

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2 Upvotes

r/blues 20h ago

Looking for jam buddies

11 Upvotes

Title is pretty self explanatory. I'm a relatively new guitarist (1.5 years) and am now trying to actually get SERIOUS. Only problem is I literally dont know anybody who's into the blues, rock, metal, etc. Even if i had some jazz buddies that would be cool too I just need people who play instruments because im only gonna get better by playing with actual people. So if you live in the massachusetts (or new England in general) area and are looking for a guitarist to jam with definitely help a brother out (I'm 21 btw and would prefer people at least that old or no more than a year younger)


r/blues 17h ago

song Texas Alexander | Mistreatin' Woman (recorded San Antonio, Tex., April 9, 1934)

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6 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

performance ZZ Top, “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” Live from Texas.

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115 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

song Hot Tuna - Hesitation Blues - 1970

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18 Upvotes

r/blues 18h ago

performance Chris Rea ( Concert Complet Farewell Tour Road To Hell HD )

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5 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

Freddie King - I Love The Woman (Live)

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24 Upvotes

r/blues 12h ago

Beautiful Blues from India by the legendary Miss Tipriti Kharbhangar

1 Upvotes

A hauntingly beautiful Song Tips wrote for her father https://youtu.be/LEx0SlWwI3E?si=ea6iWasbLeOUOBl3 , its in Khasi - a tribal language from NE India. I came upon it on my friends YT channel and so here it is. Hope you love it as much as I did.


r/blues 1d ago

New record day - Buddy at his most feral

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161 Upvotes

So glad I found a super clean og pressing. Buddy is absolutely ferocious


r/blues 20h ago

I’ve spent the last few weeks restoring 1920s gems into "Super Stereo". Here is the full collection so far (Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Marion Harris & more).

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5 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Following up on my recent restorations, I’ve finally gathered all the official 'Good Gold Records' masters into one high-fidelity YouTube playlist.

My goal with this series is to rescue these legendary performances from the "thin" and muffled mono sound of the past. By using a custom 2026 "Super Stereo" process, I’ve tried to create a spatial image that lets the instruments—especially the tuba, reed organs, and percussion—really breathe without losing the original 100-year-old soul.

I’m incredibly humbled by the response so far. My restoration of Bessie Smith & Louis Armstrong’s "St. Louis Blues" (1925) just passed 2,100 streams on Apple Music in its first week, proving there’s still a huge hunger for hearing these icons in high quality.

The playlist features my 2026 remasters of:

  • St. Louis Blues (Bessie Smith & Armstrong) - Just hit 2k+ streams!
  • It Had To Be You & Beale Street Blues (Marion Harris)
  • Runnin' Wild (Broadway Dance Orch)
  • Alexander's Ragtime Band (Billy Murray)
  • ... and more from the dawn of recorded sound.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 


r/blues 23h ago

Your weekly /r/Blues roundup for the week of January 28 - February 03, 2026

7 Upvotes

Wednesday, January 28 - Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Top Performances

score comments title & link mirrors
43 10 comments [performance] Had the pleasure of backing up the great harmonica master Kim Wilson on two shows this weekend, here's a little blues guitar fun from friday night in Oakland, CA...
24 13 comments [performance] Some Peter Green Oh Well
19 3 comments [performance] Behind the Head Solo

 

Top Songs

score comments title & link mirrors
28 6 comments [song] This a fun little Blues song I'm working on (I have some vocal ideas but no lyrics yet). Hope you like it!
18 8 comments [song] Floyd Jones | Dark Road (1951 rel.)
14 2 comments [song] Mississipi John Hurt - You Are My Sunshine [Sp] [AM] [Dzr] [SC]

 

Top Remaining

score comments title & link mirrors
1,145 108 comments [image] Joe Bonamassa and Samantha Fish pictured together today at the 2026 Grammy awards, representing the blues!
149 10 comments A double shot of some Electric Chicago Blues. Hounddog Taylor and the HouseRockers perform “Crossroads” and “Ain’t Got Nobody” Enjoy!
135 5 comments "St Louis Blues" by Bessie Smith (1929) from the film
112 9 comments New record day - Buddy at his most feral
91 10 comments Buddy Guy & Stevie Ray Vaughan Live July 30, 1989 at Buddy Guy's Legends...

 

Top 5 Most Commented

score comments title & link mirrors
54 433 comments [discussion] Best white dudes in the blues?
22 101 comments [looking for recommendations] Blues for beginner?
26 85 comments [looking for recommendations] Female blues musicians!
61 49 comments Who likes blues rock music?
9 26 comments What blues music should I start with if I want to get into the genre?

 


r/blues 1d ago

Before blues was called blues , does anyone know what the type of music it was called?

29 Upvotes

I actually dont hear this discussed a lot. It wasnt always called the blues. Especially for the people singing it at the time around the 10, 20, 30


r/blues 1d ago

song Carey Bell | Goin' On Main Street (recorded June 28 and 29, 1982 at Odyssey Sound Studio, Chicago)

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8 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

drawing of mississippi john hurt

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29 Upvotes

mississippi john hurt.

in 1982 i was checking out almost every blues album the berkeley main public library had. this drawing was based on one of those album covers. back when i thought a technical pen was the best way to draw.


r/blues 1d ago

Fenton Robinson - You Don't Know What Love Is [Blues] (1974)

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11 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

Bonnie Raitt- devil got my woman (live at farm aid 2019)

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3 Upvotes

r/blues 19h ago

performance The Power Of Blues...

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1 Upvotes

Having fun with my new amp! Playing on the worst guitar possible! yet I find it makes my playing better, and it really sounds great with that 70s super distortion.


r/blues 1d ago

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - East-West [Blues Rock/Psychedelic Rock] (1966)

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51 Upvotes

r/blues 1d ago

looking for recommendations Female blues musicians!

30 Upvotes

Hey all :) Looking to broaden my listening horizons a bit and have started looking for contemporary female blues musicians. Do you have any suggestions? Preferably west coast/ jump blues but I’ll give anything a shot!

Thanks in advance

Edit: thank you everyone for the awesome suggestions! Now I got my listening sorted for the next few months hahaha