CD-Charts Position 1
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Blues Breakers

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: John Mayall, Eric Clapton

Release Date December 15, 2000
I was going to mention Clapton's christening of the Les Paul, Marshall setup, but others have beaten me to it. I liken it's impact to what happened to harp playing when Little Walter and other's deciding to blow through the PA or an early guitar amp. They REDEFINED the sound of the instrument.

So all I'll add is the rhetorical question...can you imagine being a teenage Brit, having been reared on the sounds of the Beatles, Jerry and the Pacemakers, or even the Dave Clark Five, wandering into a London club because someone had recommended the Bluesbreakers, and hearing THIS STUFF? Probably as epiphanic as being a white guy in mid 50's Chicago and having the nerve to wander into the Dew Drop Inn and hearing Muddy, Wolf, or later, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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461 Ocean Boulevard

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Eric Clapton

Release Date March 17, 1997
This is a wonderful album. It marked Clapton's sobriety following his heroin usage, and has a theme of redemption and rebirth running through it. Also, there's a strong taste of someone who has turned himself inside and out.

In places, this is passionate, elsewhere playful, and in many places you can hear a man asking himself what he has left. Fantastic stuff, strongly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Slowhand

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Eric Clapton

Release Date March 17, 1997
I have a few of Eric Clapton's albums plus a few he's recorded in other bands and 'Slowhand' typifies how frustrating he is. Rightly regarded as one of the greatest rock guitarists, he never seems to produce an album about which you can say, 'That's the one.' Instead, what you get are a handful of brilliant gems and an equal measure of forgettable, if competent, workouts.
The three heavyweight tracks appear at the front of the album. 'Cocaine' has never been one of my favourite songs, but he does deliver it with impressive force. 'Wonderful Tonight' worked its way into the public consciousness over many years and is the kind of tender song that's difficult to pull off without sounding watery. 'Lay Down Sally' deserves more recognition, in my opinion. The playing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Eric Clapton Unplugged

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Eric Clapton

Release Date August 31, 1992
Despite the usual struggle for Blues at populist award ceremonies this album picked up 2 Grammys when it was first released in 1992. And after listening to it, frankly that is no surprise.

You don't even have to be a Blues fan to enjoy this sensational album. It is a must have for everyone. Clapton manages to combine good vocals, excellent guitar playing, raw passion and, not to mention, catchy tunes all into one album.

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Howlin' Wolf

Release Date September 25, 2000
A welcome budget price collection by one of the most charismatic and influential blues artists of all time. Many of Wolf's best known numbers are here, commencing with 'How Many More Years' from his first session in 1951 in Sam Phillips' Memphis studio, and continuing through the 1954 to 1965 period with Chess Records. The material is licensed from MCA, and therefore in excellent sound quality, with stereo mixes being used on some of the later dates. Just reading the titles reveals that most of the essential tracks are present, including the ones that were to feature strongly in the white blues boom of the 1960s: 'The Little Red Rooster', 'Spoonful', 'Killing Floor', and the inevitable 'Smokestack Lightnin''.

Wolf's songs were notable for their innovative lyrics, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Chavez Ravine

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Ry Cooder

Release Date June 13, 2005
....it's going to be. That is ....it isn't Buena Vista Social Club, it isn't Ibrahim Ferrer, it isn't Ali Farka Toure, it isn't Flaco Jimenez. But then again it's all of these and more. In particular it's more of Ry and in a bigger sense its more altogether. A commanding view with all Ry Cooder's talents of bringing together disparate elements into a musical whole. Every play pays off and the record gets better and better with each hearing. In some ways it reminds me of early spring backs to folk melodies on "Into the Purple Valley" but with everything that he has done since coming together over a long and fruitful career and adding to the disc. Quite possibly the best thing that he has out together for a long time and worth persisting with

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Definitive Ray Charles

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Ray Charles

Release Date September 26, 2005
The first hit single in the U K by Ray Charles was Georgia on my mid in 1960 and this disc made No 24.Charles was on a new label by then and the Atlantic sides while issued here meant nothing until the Age of Merseybeat.
Hit the road Jack went top 5 and it was nothing but up from then with the Modern Sounds of Country & Western spawning a number of hit singles.
Ray's earlier work on Swingtime began apperaing on a label called Society.
This CD is a pretty comprehensive overview of the most essential recordings which include his Beatles covers and ends with his version of Imagine.
Theres never been any shortage of albums by Ray Charles and I think the first was What'd I say-which was probably too far away from general tastes at the time because America ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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30 Years of Rock - The Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Release Date May 17, 2004
I heard Bad to the Bone on the radio whilst driving in USA and just had to buy some George Thorogood. Hearing the song again for the first time years reminded me of George's fantastic set during Live Aid in 1986. When I put it on in the car I just wondered how I had got by all these years without owning this masterpiece. It's a great mix of rock a blues, like ZZTop with attitude! Buy it, enjoy it and play it loud!

CD-Charts Position 9
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The Best of Bonnie Raitt

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Bonnie Raitt

Release Date May 12, 2003

I bought this album on the strength on the one song i heard on the radio " I Cant Make You Love Me" and was suprised to find so many other gems on this album. I really didnt know alot about Bonnie Raitt but i am glad that i do now, she has a really sweet voice and the songs are just beautifull they really seem to hit me where i am at in my life at this present moment.

I would recommend her to anyone.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Chicken Skin Music

CD-Charts > Music > Instruments
by: Ry Cooder

Release Date October 01, 1999
This is the most essential of a list of essential Ry Cooder albums. If you only ever buy one of his CDs, make it this one.

I wore the vinyl out and had to buy it again and then I had to buy the CD. Someone borrowed the CD, they moved and I never got it back so I had to buy it again.

The playing is immaculate, it is simply wonderful music. The Mexican influences are great and really bring an extra dimension. This is the culmination of everything RC did before and overshadows everything he has done since.

Buy this album.