This is one I keep coming back to when I want to get the party started. The interaction between Junior Wells on harmonica/vocals and Buddy Guy on guitar is unforgettable. Good makin' love music (like a lot of what's on this list).

Another one I like to put on while in partying mode. A great but somewhat obscure blues singer who tragically died of a heart attack at 32.

Out of all the Bonnie Raitt albums I've heard, this first recording is the one I keep coming back to. The songs are great and memorable, and her voice is as full of passion as any singer I can think of.

The singer that first got me into the blues. I drank a lot of beer listening to this in college.

Defines, in my mind, the Fat Possum sound. Minimalist in the best sense of the word.

I'm sad for people who don't know this music. If you're at all interested in this kind of music, just make sure this is in your collection.

I probably haven't heard the right albums, but when I hear ZZ Top it just makes me want to listen to this guy. The debut album from this incredible electric blues guitarist.

The best recording after being rediscovered in the 60s (after 30 years of not recording). While some people are going to definitely prefer the original 1931 recordings, which are of course great, this is what I keep listening to. He sounds just as intense, in my opinion, and the sound quality if vastly superior.

Kind of confusing how there are two Sonny Boy Williamsons in blues. This is a great place to start, I believe, with the later Sonny Boy Williamson.

A great but obscure 60s blues singer who was featured in Martin Scorsese produced series (in the episode directed by Wim Wenders). Touches on politics in a way few blues singers do.

Electric blues infused with a touch of rock and roll, in a really good way.

No one else who I've heard played this kind of San Francisco psychedelic blues as good as Big Brother. Janis Joplin at her creative peak.

OK, here's one more with Clapton on it. The definitive John Mayall album.

Originally released by Biograph, this album was re-released as part of Martin Scorsese's Blues series. These are his essential 1940-41 Lomax recordings, though the 60s rediscovery recordings are also worth hearing.

While not usually classified as a blues singer, like Billie Holiday the quality of her voice is typically more blues than jazz.

He played the blues. He drank whiskey. This double disc collection of his seminal works is worth 10 times this budget price.

I don't know a better John Lee Hooker collection (though of course that doesn't mean there's not a better place to start with this heavily recorded blues singer). Every song is a classic that sticks with you.

I love this collection of music from this great movie. Really got me into the whole Fat Possum sound.