Life is harsh. Everyday, a lover dies, prices increase, a dog runs away, and still, there’s no solution to that age-old existential dilemma. It’s time we drowned ourselves in the blues.
Blues music is a foundation of almost everything we listen to today—rock, pop, country, you name it. Even the incredibly popular Beatles, who covered several Chuck Berry hits, had massive respect for the genre.
Early African-Americans sang songs about hardships they experienced on a daily basis, from discrimination and brutality to heartbreak. From there on, it was history. This month, join us as we go through a journey of some of the most important tribulatory records of all time.
B.B. King – Live at the Regal
Regarded as one of the best blues albums ever recorded. Included in the book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.” Artists like John Mayer and Eric Clapton use this masterpiece to prep themselves before going on-stage.
Albert Collins – Ice Pickin’
Collins was named by fellow blues musicians Albert King and John Lee Hooker as one of their favorites. Ice Pickin’ was the album that propelled Collins to popularity, fans captivated by the way he played his electric guitar—from the choking to the bending of strings, his anguish was truly felt.
Junior Wells – Hoodoo Man Blues
Performing with his Chicago Blues Band (a collaboration with guitarist/vocalist Buddy Guy), Wells plays a mean harmonica on this one. Clearly, Bob Dylan got some cues from here, too. Without having to leave your home, this record will immediately transport you to a smoky, underground night club.
Howlin’ Wolf – Moanin’ in the Moonlight
Another must-have, reissued on a super cool picture disc. This one’s the debut from the incredibly talented Mississippi-based singer, guitarist, and harmonica player, Howlin’ Wolf, also known as Chester Arthur Burnett. Musicologist Robert Palmer has cited the track “How Many More Years” as being the first recording to feature a distorted power chord.
Muddy Waters – At Newport 1960
Powerful, engaging, influential. This live performance helped propel the blues to a much wider audience. Ironically, majority of the crowd here consisted of white people, but that only proves how far-reaching the music was. Interestingly, the guitar on the cover wasn’t what Waters used during the festival—having left his on the stage, he instead posed with the semi-acoustic of his friend, John Lee Hooker.
Everything here is available in our stores and the website. For more of this, drop by one of the branches and check out our Vinyl Essentials wall.
Words by Kurvine Chua Visit the stores to see our Vinyl Essentials - Blues Wall Satchmi, 4F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall Satchmi, 2F Phase 2, UP Town Center