I am loving the blues, but it is one of the few genres where I know almost nothing about. Anyway, I thought I'd post to see if you could recommend me some CDs I should pick up. In general, I usually stay away from the mainstream, so out of the loop may be the best area to focus. I love the southern blues a la New Orleans and Texas. So feel free to recommend what you like.

To give you an idea of what I like so far, here are a few:

Charles Jacobs (plays at the R&B club in New Orleans)
Homesick James
Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets
Hubert Sumlin

Thanks.

The Best of Lightnin' Slim
Willie Dixon - I am The Blues

I couldn't live w/out some Howlin' Wolf. "Texas Flood" by Stevie Ray Vaughan is not only my fave blues album, but one of the best recordings I've ever heard. Of course, that's not some big secret!

Thanks guys. Keep em coming eveyone. I'm going to go make some purchases next week, so I think I'll bring a list and see what they have.

I'm not much up on the blues myself, but I absolutely love Sue Foley.

If you like Hubert Sumlin you should get the recordings Howlin' Wolf made for Chess Records. Along with Muddy Waters, the Wolf is the essential electric blues artist.

For acoustic (aka "country" blues) look into the recordings of Robert Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Also, llok for pretty much anything done by Sonny Boy Williamson (I).

Some blues that comes with a guarantee of satisfaction:

Elmore James and Muddy Waters

I'm not an expert in this department, but I can tell you I really like a most unexpected blues album: Bronx in Blue by Dion. Yeah, that Dion. I know it sounds crazy, but it's really good and has received a host of excellent reviews. It's mostly covers, but it's all good in my opinion. He's even got a blues reinvention of his famous "The Wanderer" on the ep.

I know you usually stay away from mainstream, but to avoid the Texas blues of Stevie Ray Vaughn is an absolute crime. Please rectify immediately

Also, check out John Mayer Trio's Live! Great traditional blues on there. Also Jimi's Blues album is a good one.

I'll second/third the recommendations of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Elmore James.

Find some of Warren Hayne's (Gov't Mule, Allman Bros.) solo stuff... it's incredible.

John Lee Hooker is my favourite.

Robert Johnson. It all starts with him. Son House, Muddy Waters, Skip James, Arthur Big Boy Crudup, B.B. King's early work, all great stuff too.

And I'm a big fan of the "Fat Possum" school of bluesmen, some of the last of the "old generation" -- R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough -- all died recently, but great stuff to be found out there by them.

Blind Willie McTell, Sleepy John Estes, Big Bill Broonzy, Skip James, Kokomo Arnold, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Robert Johnson, Peter Chatman, T-Bone Walker, Memphis Minnie, Blind John Davis, and Hot Lips Page.

Hound Dog Taylor
Magic Sam
Buddy Guy
Freddie King
Albert King
Brownie McGhee

Thanks, this is going to be a great start.

I'm a big fan of BB King, but that's an obvious choice.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=glance&n=5174

One perhaps lesser known blues artist with some serious chops is a dude named Jimi Hendrix (you may know him for his rock stuff).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...=glance&n=5174

be sure to check out Etta James and if you can find it the best is BB and Stevie Ray together,there is some live stuff that just ROCKS...

"Blues Hammer" from Ghost World.