CD-Charts Position 1
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King of the Delta Blues Singers Vol. II

by: Robert Johnson

Release Date August 09, 2004
I am really pleased that this second volume has come out at last, as I remember getting both volumes when they came out first time round as LPs with their great artwork, which has been faithfully reproduced. But what has really amazed me is the quality of the remastered sound, even better than that on the first volume which was very good. Every nuance of Johnson's voice and guitar work has been reproduced, so you really feel you are there in that San Antonio hotel room. Included on both volumes are alternative versions of songs which are fascinating to hear, as they are quite different in parts and (to me) show that Johnson was very prone to improvise, which is contrary to the view expressed in the sleeve notes.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Blues Breakers

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 3
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The Best Of

by: John Lee Hooker

Release Date February 01, 2001

This was one of my earliest Hooker purchases and remains one of my absolute favourites.

The track selection is very good - given the HUGE number of Hooker recordings, its often hard to find a compilation without 2 or 3 duds, but this CD is an exception (apart from Baby Lee, which I've never rated).

Throughout, you are treated to the great man's totally distinctive sound - his stark, plain but striking voice and guitar, all of it entirely unadorned and unembellished - just a great master growlin' and howlin' and pickin' the blues!

An excellent sample of JLH's work, and one that has remained a favourite despite the passing years and expanding blues collection. You won't be disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 4
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The Collection

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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Anthology

by: Muddy Waters

Release Date August 31, 2001
This is truly a must-have for anyone interested in Muddy or the blues and why it took off in the way that it did. These awesome recordings give a great insight into what blues are and even seem strangley familiar after the years of listening to Clapton and the Rolling Stones, themselves having been influenced so strongly by Muddy. This is where it all really took off, with Muddy's slide playing ringing out so clearly above his emotion filled, thoughtful lyrics. Must-have!

CD-Charts Position 6
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James Brown Live At The Apollo, 1962

by: James Brown & The Famous Flames The James Brown Band

Release Date July 31, 1990
i havent bought many JB CDs but this is the 1st time ive been disappointed. its not really funk its more OTT soul and just bad (terrible), he ruins night train so that its nearly unrecognisable. get:
star time
funky good times: the anthology
in the jungle groove
the payback

CD-Charts Position 7
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Dog House Music

by: Seasick Steve

Release Date November 27, 2006
Like others, I saw the man on Jools Holland. I suppose the romantic in me loved the idea that this guy had experienced the lowest of the lows but had come through it all and was here playing his 3-string geetar live on the JH show. However, I liked what I heard and his enthusiasm for the blues was infectious. Okay, it's not as polished as the great blues musicians and he's not going to outdo Robert Cray for technical ability but just listen to the stories he tells and you'll be tapping your foot along. We all love to see people do well that have faced grim adversity and Seasick Steve provides a soulful, bizarre and honest approach to his version of the blues. So, stop being so cynical and give it a blast.

CD-Charts Position 8
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The Complete Recordings: All 41 Recordings

by: Robert Johnson

Release Date October 22, 1990
This is a collection of all of the known sides recorded by Robert Johnson during his very short time on earth. The blues tunes on this album have been recorded and updated by just about everyone who has picked up a guitar in the intervening years. `Crossroads blues' became `Crossroads' in the hands of `Eric Clapton' and `Cream'. `Sweet home Chicago' just sounds so much better than `the blues brothers' version, `Love in vain' was covered by `the Stones' etc.
What is astonishing at times the solo guitar does sound like two people playing one a Rythem and one a lead.
Fans of any of the blues boom bands mentioned above must have this in their collections.

CD-Charts Position 9
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What's Going On

by: Marvin Gaye

Release Date January 27, 2003
This album blew my mind when I first heard it 15 years or so ago. From the first to the last this album reaches the pinnacles that other artists just cannot. To think that it is over 30 years old to me it sounds fresher and more vital than most of the bland R&B that is being offered up today. Also it's political message still blows me away.

This album is so good that everyone should own it. Infact if you know someone who doesn't get them a copy. It would count as a genuine act of kindness on your part.

It's just a shame he's not still with us.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Disraeli Gears

by: Cream

Release Date March 09, 1998
I am 17 year old and i'm a massive fan of heavy metal, I love most types of music from Heavy Metal to Blues to abit of Indie to Instrumental rock and all types of rock from 60s 70s and 80s. 2 of my friends who have similar taste in music as me really like Eric Clapton so I checked his greatest hits and that was brilliant. Then I decided to start my Cream selection and bought this and i love it.

This awesome rock/blues album was made famous by the song Sunshine Of Your Love, which is a brilliant song but there is more to this album then that song. The best song for me here is World Of Pain it's amazing and the vocals on this album are brilliant. In conclusion, this album is brilliant and should any music lovers collection whatever music you like buy it.