BluesFilter

February 27, 2006 1:52 PM

BluesFilter: What are the best blues songs of all time?

If one were compiling a list of blues songs that don't take into account historical importance, but merely focus on the overall excellence of the piece itself, what songs would be on the list? What are the bluesiest of blues songs? The definition of "excellence" should fit your own criteria. Thanks!

posted by sciurus to Media & Arts (38 answers total)

Mannish Boy. Muddy Waters.
posted by quadog at 1:53 PM on February 27, 2006

"Crossroads Blues" by Robert Johnson

"Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues" by Skip James
posted by maxreax at 1:57 PM on February 27, 2006

Hooo Boy, here we go: Come On In My Kitchen by Robert Johnson and Dark Was The Night And Cold Was The Ground by Blind Willie Johnson? (actually that link is probably a good place for anyone to start.)

Incidentally, someone in this thread will recommend you buy a Blues Brothers album. You must ignore this person.
posted by Jofus at 1:58 PM on February 27, 2006

"killing floor" - howlin' wolf or hendrix version

"born under a bad sign" - albert king

"hideaway" - freddie king
posted by the cuban at 2:00 PM on February 27, 2006

"Born Under a Bad Sign" - Albert King
"The Thrill is Gone" - B.B. King

But maxreax hit the nail on the head with "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues." That's the best blues song ever.
posted by JekPorkins at 2:02 PM on February 27, 2006

Son House -- "Death Letter Blues"

Hands down.
posted by Otis at 2:04 PM on February 27, 2006

Statesboro Blues by Blind Willie McTell
posted by Grinder at 2:08 PM on February 27, 2006

Leadbelly. The Red Cross Store Blues or New York City or his rendition of House of the Rising Sun. Or others.
posted by milquetoast at 2:08 PM on February 27, 2006

I suppose Jofus will also claim that "The Simpsons Sing The Blues" is not a seminal work...
posted by littleme at 2:10 PM on February 27, 2006

"It Hurt So Bad"- Susan Tedeschi
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:12 PM on February 27, 2006 [1 favorite]

"Rock Me Mama" as performed on this CD. My theory - if you aren't in prison, it ain't the blues.
posted by weirdoactor at 2:19 PM on February 27, 2006

Son House -- "Death Letter Blues"

Hands down.

Agreed. Absolutely the most powerful song of any genre that I've ever heard.
posted by letitrain at 2:19 PM on February 27, 2006

Response by poster: I guess I should add two of my own:

Tin Pan Alley - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Since I've Been Loving You - Led Zeppelin from How the West Was Won
posted by sciurus at 2:20 PM on February 27, 2006

Each blues experience is unique. I could never agree with anyone on a definitive best blues, but for me....

I Can't be Satisfied by Muddy Waters (for the guitar lover in me)

Juke by Little Walter (I can get into an argument over this one though, especially if someone mentions Sonny Boy Williamson)
posted by itsjustanalias at 2:52 PM on February 27, 2006

Sonny Boy Williamson II: Fattening Frogs for Snakes. No contest.
posted by TheRaven at 3:24 PM on February 27, 2006

Keep it to Yourself - Sonny Boy Williamson II
Crosscut Saw - Albert King
Crossroads - Cream
posted by wsg at 3:43 PM on February 27, 2006

What kind of blues list has nothing from Billie Holiday? Are you all mad? I vote for Strange Fruit, by the way..
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 3:50 PM on February 27, 2006

I listen to a lot of blues, but I've been outlandishly pleased by Eric Clapton's 2004 album, Me and Mr Johnson. Clapton's band covers a bunch of Robert Johnson tunes in the way he imagines they might have been played in 1920's Chicago.

Everything mentioned so far is great music, and I do believe I've heard all of it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:51 PM on February 27, 2006

Koko Taylor - I've Got What It Takes
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood

The Alligator Records collections are generally good. Good mix of Chicago style Blues.
posted by Eddie Mars at 4:07 PM on February 27, 2006

"Darlin' You Know I Love You" BB King
"Red House" Jimi Hendrix
"Texas Flood" Stevie Ray (noted before, but it bears repeating)
posted by pazazygeek at 4:20 PM on February 27, 2006

Another vote for Killing Floor and Death Letter. Also:

Skip James - Devil Got My Woman
posted by oldmanyoung at 4:33 PM on February 27, 2006

Kansas City Band - "I Left My Baby" (Amazon.com link)
posted by bwilms at 5:02 PM on February 27, 2006

Spoonful by Willie Dixon.
posted by mullacc at 5:17 PM on February 27, 2006

Stevie Ray Vaughan - "Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love" (damn I love that song)

Eric Clapton & BB King - "Worried Life Blues"

Freddie King - "Woman Across The River"
posted by biscotti at 5:36 PM on February 27, 2006

"Big Legs, Tight Skirt" by John Lee Hooker, in the "blues-to-fuck-by" category.
posted by padraigin at 5:39 PM on February 27, 2006

"I Wanna Ramble" by Junior Parker.
posted by Astro Zombie at 6:18 PM on February 27, 2006

There Ain't No Santa Claus On the Evening Stage. Captain Beefheart.
posted by Decani at 6:31 PM on February 27, 2006

In addition to the above,

"Boogie Chillen," "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker.
posted by sacre_bleu at 7:27 PM on February 27, 2006

I can't believe that Howling Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning" hasn't been mentioned. Anyway, now it has.
posted by holgate at 7:57 PM on February 27, 2006

And I can't believe I wrote "Howling" for "Howlin'" either.
posted by holgate at 7:58 PM on February 27, 2006

All the above, and...

"Immortal Blues", Chris Whitley, Terra Incognita.

Achingly gorgeous.
posted by dbiedny at 8:07 PM on February 27, 2006

Ditto the Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Walter & Sonny Boy, etc. suggestions. I would add:
Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy
The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King
Every Day I Have the Blues - B.B. King & others
T Bone Shuffle - T Bone Walker
Stormy Monday - T Bone Walker
The Things I Used to Do - Guitar Slim
Baby What You Want Me to Do - Jimmy Reed
Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker
Driving Wheel - Junior Parker
Juke - Little Walter Jacobs
Reconsider Baby - Lowell Fulson
I Just Want a Little Bit - Magic Sam
All Your Love - Otis Rush
Let the Good Times Roll - BB King, Ray Charles, others
Honeydripper - Joe Liggins, others
Wang Dang Doodle - Koko Taylor
posted by jams at 8:09 PM on February 27, 2006

can't argue with what's been posted here ... a few more i happen to like

goin down slow - howlin wolf, duane allman and quite a few others
give me back my wig - and anything else by hound dog taylor and the houserockers ... if you've heard hound dog taylor, you know why ... if you haven't ... think of the drunkest, most primitive, nastiest, rawest blues played on cheap instruments that you can and then double it
been on a train - laura nyro ... yes, it's technically a blues
i can't hold out - son seals on his live album ...
loan me a dime - boz scaggs ... that's duane allman on the guitar
i'm not sure that professor longhair is technically blues ... but you should listen to him anyway
posted by pyramid termite at 9:30 PM on February 27, 2006

yeah, and one bourbon, one scotch, one beer by george thorogood ... i know, no taste there, i can't help it ... he wanted to be hound dog taylor but couldn't quite get there ...
posted by pyramid termite at 9:32 PM on February 27, 2006

Just tacking on to excellent suggestions above...
Big Mama Thornton singing "Ball and Chain." And find some Lightnin' Hopkins.
posted by transient at 9:59 PM on February 27, 2006

I'll concur with "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground." Also anything by Skip James. I also like JB Lenoir, though he's not for everyone.

Man, that y2karl post is even better the second time around.
posted by shoepal at 6:45 AM on February 28, 2006

How Blue Can You Get? - B.B. King
Cold Strings - Gatemouth Brown
Woman Across The River - Freddie King
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:18 AM on February 28, 2006

I also lovvvvee 'Angel of Mercy', by Albert Collins.
posted by toastchee at 7:47 AM on February 28, 2006