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The Incomplete Blues Guitar Primer
By an Amazon.com customer
Classic SidesClassic Sides by Blind Lemon Jefferson
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Blind Lemon Jefferson - an early Texas blues guitarist who would influence Charley Patton.
Complete Recordings 1929-34Complete Recordings 1929-34 by Charley Patton
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Charley Patton - one of the earlier recorded exponents of blues guitar.
All the Published SidesAll the Published Sides by Blind Blake
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One of the more mysterious figures of pre-war blues, Blind Blake played ragtime, popular music and blues.
Queen of Country Blues 1929-1937Queen of Country Blues 1929-1937 by Memphis Minnie
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Memphis Minnie enjoyed a fairly prolific career in Chicago, one of a very few female blues guitarists whose work survives from this time.
All the Classic Sides 1928-1937All the Classic Sides 1928-1937 by Big Bill Broonzy
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Big Bill Broonzy - probably one of the best documented country blues guitarists, what with his prolific recording and autobiography.
The Classic Years 1927-1940The Classic Years 1927-1940 by Blind Willie McTell
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Blind Willie McTell - perhaps the most technically accomplished of the pre-war blues guitarists.
The Complete RecordingsThe Complete Recordings by Robert Johnson
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Robert Johnson and everything he left us. One of the most "polished" of the early blues guitarists.
Legends of Country BluesLegends of Country Blues by Various Artists
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Great overview of *key* players Skip James, Son House, Bukka White, Tommy Johnson, and Ishman Bracey.
The Best of Mississippi Fred McDowellThe Best of Mississippi Fred McDowell by Mississippi Fred McDowell
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Some of the spookiest gospel blues playing and singing you will ever hear.
Demons and Angels: The Ultimate CollectionDemons and Angels: The Ultimate Collection by Reverend Gary Davis
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The Reverend Gary Davis is perhaps the epitome of blues gospel guitar.
1946-19511946-1951 by Lightnin Hopkins
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"Lightnin' change when Lightnin' want to change." The master of electric drone blues.
Classic Early Years 1948-51Classic Early Years 1948-51 by John Lee Hooker
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John Lee Hooker - from shout choruses to stories, he is one of the most raucous blues guitarists and singers.
T-Bone BluesT-Bone Blues by T-Bone Walker
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T-Bone Walker's urbane, jazzy voicings and intricate style helped define urban electric blues.
King of the Slide GuitarKing of the Slide Guitar by Elmore James
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The title says it all - Elmore James was the king of the slide guitar.
Sufferin' MindSufferin' Mind by Guitar Slim
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Guitar Slim was a major blues singer and guitarist who would influence Albert King, among many others.
Howlin Wolf: The Chess BoxHowlin Wolf: The Chess Box by Howlin' Wolf
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Howlin' Wolf was Sam Phillips' (Sun Records) greatest discovery. Find out why.
The Chess Box :Muddy WatersThe Chess Box :Muddy Waters by Muddy Waters
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Muddy Waters - the figurehead of Chicago blues, and hero to the English blues revival of the 1960s.
Essential Collection: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-1958Essential Collection: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-1958 by Otis Rush
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Otis Rush's early recordings - fiery and inspirational.
King of the BluesKing of the Blues by B.B. King
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B.B. King: a great anthology for a muddled and often out-of -print discography.
Born Under a Bad SignBorn Under a Bad Sign by Albert King
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Possibly Albert King's best recording, with Albert backed by the Stax house band.
The Complete Imperial RecordingsThe Complete Imperial Recordings by Albert Collins
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Albert Collins' early (predominantly instrumental, Meters-like) recordings.
Getting Ready...Getting Ready... by Freddie King
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Freddie King's hardest blues album. Check out his instrumentals from the early 1960s too.
Pressure CookerPressure Cooker by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
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Clarence Gatemouth Brown - one of the more eclectic blues guitarists: folk, jump, blues and big band.
The Son Seals Blues BandThe Son Seals Blues Band by Son Seals
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Son Seals - 1970s Chicago blues at their hottest and rawest.
The Complete JSP Recordings: 1979-1982The Complete JSP Recordings: 1979-1982 by Buddy Guy
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Buddy Guy is popular - but his best playing may just be on these albums before his 1990s commercial success.