Essential electric blues listening

The albums that define electric blues.

Our picks for where to start with electric blues — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The electric blues essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

On the Beach

Chris Rea

On the Beach

A sun-soaked blend of blues and soft rock, infused with contemplative lyrics and melodic guitar work.

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King of the Beach

Chris Rea

King of the Beach

A breezy blend of blues-infused pop rock that evokes sun-soaked days and reflective moments by the sea.

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Loose Ends

Jimi Hendrix

Loose Ends

A raw collection of unfinished tracks showcasing Hendrix's unfiltered creativity and bluesy improvisation.

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War Heroes

Jimi Hendrix

War Heroes

A raw collection of Hendrix's incendiary guitar work fused with bluesy grooves and psychedelic vibes.

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Ten Years Are Gone

John Mayall

Ten Years Are Gone

A soulful journey through blues with reflective lyrics and rich instrumentation that captures the essence of early 70s British rock.

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USA Union

John Mayall

USA Union

A vibrant blend of blues rock infused with introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation reflecting early '70s sensibilities.

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Lightnin' Strikes

Lightnin' Hopkins

Lightnin' Strikes

Raw, soulful guitar riffs intertwine with Lightnin' Hopkins' hypnotic storytelling and expressive vocals.

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Walkin' This Road by Myself

Lightnin' Hopkins

Walkin' This Road by Myself

A raw, emotive blend of Texas blues with poignant storytelling and hypnotic guitar rhythms.

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Hardware

Billy Gibbons

Hardware

A gritty blend of blues-infused rock with playful storytelling and vibrant guitar riffs throughout.

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Perfectamundo

Billy Gibbons

Perfectamundo

A vibrant blend of blues-infused rock and Latin rhythms that showcases Gibbons' signature guitar work.

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Ain't Enough Comin' In

Otis Rush

Ain't Enough Comin' In

A rich tapestry of Chicago blues woven with heartfelt storytelling and soulful guitar work.

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Right Place, Wrong Time

Otis Rush

Right Place, Wrong Time

A blend of gritty Chicago blues and soulful rhythms that captures the essence of urban life.

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Come to Papa

Carl Weathersby

Come to Papa

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Restless Feeling

Carl Weathersby

Restless Feeling

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