Ten Excellent Blues Songs to Remember

Though Pink Floyd created enormous radio-friendly classics during the 1970s, the legendary group started out as a British blues band. Jimi Hendrix offered up a wildly innovative interpretation of “The Star Spangled Banner,” pioneered the use of octaves with an over-amplified Fender Stratocaster® and was a master at taming controlled feedback. Yet, underneath Jimi’s psychedelically sonic exterior laid the heart of a bluesman. Fret ace, Jorma Kaukonen and bass player extraordinaire, Jack Cassidy, exited San Francisco tripsters, The Jefferson Airplane, to pursue a heavy dose of blues music. Of course, there’s more. When it comes to the blues, there always is.

Before the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, burst onto the scene via 1956’s “Hound Dog,” blues singer and songwriter Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton had a hit with the same song in 1952. Thornton also wrote “Ball And Chain,” made famous by Janis Joplin. The repertoire of many famous artists includes blues songs. But as opposed to the hits, those numbers don’t always remain in the public’s eye. Enter ‘Ten Excellent Blues Songs to Remember.’ Hidden among the scores of music discographies are some winners that surely deserve attention.

When is the last time the husband and wife singing duo Fred and Annie Mae McDowell popped up in a conversation about music? Has anyone in your circle recently mentioned the 1970s roots rockers Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett? After reading ‘Ten Excellent Blues Songs to Remember,’ your blues vocabulary will surely be enhanced. Fundamental artists like Son House and Howlin’ Wolf are also on the list. So are The Beatles. If there was ever one book about blues music that deserves to be in your library, it’s ‘Ten Excellent Blues Songs to Remember.’ Good luck and good reading.

Sincerely,

Paul