Pure Blues: 20 Essential Blues Recordings

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▼CD
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Mean Old World
producer:
Tom Dowd
mixer:
Steve Rinkoff (in 1990-06)
bass drum:
Jim Gordon (US drummer with Derek and the Dominos) (on 1970-10-02)
guitar:
Duane Allman (on 1970-10-02) and Eric Clapton (on 1970-10-02)
lead vocals:
Eric Clapton (on 1970-10-02)
vocals:
Eric Clapton (on 1970-10-02)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
PolyGram International Music B.V. (not for release label use!) (in 1990)
recorded at:
Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida, United States (on 1970-10-02)
mixed at:
Power Station Studios (Power Station at BerkleeNYC, fka Power Station 1977–1996, then Avatar Studios 1996–2017) in Hell's Kitchen, New York, New York, United States (in 1990-06)
cover recording of:
Mean Old World (on 1970-10-02)
lyricist and composer:
Walter Jacobs (blues performer and songwriter)
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and BMG Rights Management (US) LLC (file releases under its imprint “BMG (2008–present)” if the release has an imprint)
Eric Clapton & Duane Allman43:51
2Good Morning Little School Girl
engineer and producer:
David Z (producer/engineer David Rivkin)
baritone guitar:
Ted Larsen
bass guitar:
David Smith (Memphis bassist)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Rob Stupka
guitar [lead guitar]:
Jonny Lang (American blues, gospel, and rock singer, songwriter, guitarist)
guitar [rhythm guitar]:
Billy Franzee
Hammond organ [Hammond B-3]:
Ricky Peterson (American keyboardist)
harmonica:
Pat Hayes (harmonica, vocals, blues)
Wurlitzer electric piano [Wurlitzer piano]:
Bruce McCabe
vocals:
Jonny Lang (American blues, gospel, and rock singer, songwriter, guitarist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
A&M Records, Inc. (in 1996)
mixed at:
House of Blues in Nashville, Tennessee, United States
cover recording of:
Good Morning, School Girl
lyricist:
Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson, 1914–1948)
composer:
Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee “Sonny Boy” Williamson, 1914–1948) (in 1937)
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Georgia Music Corp. and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Jonny Lang44:13
3Shame, Shame, Shame
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Giant Records ("a division of Warner Music Sweden AB", not for release label use! use “Giant”) (in 1995)
recording of:
Shame, Shame, Shame
writer:
Joe Nadeau and Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Kenny Wayne Shepherd6:06
4Flood Down in Texas
bass:
Tommy Shannon
drums (drum set):
Chris Layton
guitar and lead vocals:
Stevie Ray Vaughan
recorded at:
Casino Barrière Montreux (2nd incarnation, 1975–present) in Montreux, Vaud (Canton of Vaud), Switzerland (on 1982-07-17)
live cover recording of:
Texas Flood (on 1982-07-17)
lyricist:
Larry Davis (US blues guitarist/vocalist)
composer:
Larry Davis (US blues guitarist/vocalist) and J.W. Scott (40s–60s US blues artist)
publisher:
Duchess Music Corporation (BMI-affiliated)
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble310:24
5Smoking Gun
recording engineer:
Bill Dashiell
executive producer:
Larry Sloven (producer)
producer:
Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker
assistant mixer:
Charlie Brocco
mixer:
Jeff Hendrickson (sound engineer)
bass:
Richard Cousins
drums (drum set):
David Olson (drummer)
guitar:
Robert Cray (blues guitarist, singer and songwriter)
keyboard:
Peter Boe
tenor saxophone:
Andrew Love
trombone and trumpet:
Wayne Jackson (trumpet/horn, member of The Mar-Keys and The Memphis Horns)
vocals:
Robert Cray (blues guitarist, singer and songwriter)
recorded at:
Sage & Sound, Los Angeles in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
mixed at:
Village Recorders, Los Angeles (Village Studios, aka The Village Recorder) in Los Angeles, California, United States
recording of:
Smoking Gun
writer:
Bruce Bromberg, Richard Cousins and Robert Cray (blues guitarist, singer and songwriter)
Robert Cray44:08
6Just Won’t Burn
Susan Tedeschi44:44
7Little Red Rooster
producer:
Joe Peraino
arranger:
Luther Allison
cover recording of:
The Red Rooster
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Hoochie Coochie Music and Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
Luther Allison4:11
8Let Me Love You Baby
baritone saxophone [baritone sax]:
Donald Hankins (Saxophonist) (on 1960-12-16)
bass:
Jack Meyers (US blues bassist) (on 1960-12-16)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Fred Below (on 1960-12-16)
guitar:
Buddy Guy (on 1960-12-16)
harmonica:
Junior Wells (on 1960-12-16)
membranophone:
Fred Below
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1960-12-16)
tenor saxophone [tenor sax]:
Jarett Gibson (on 1960-12-16) and Bob Neely (on 1960-12-16)
vocals:
Buddy Guy (on 1960-12-16)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1961)
recorded at:
Chess Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-12-16)
recording of:
Let Me Love You Baby (on 1960-12-16)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Bug Music (music publishing), Hoochie Coochie Music and Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
cover recording of:
Let Me Love You Baby
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Bug Music (music publishing), Hoochie Coochie Music and Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Buddy Guy12:53
9Statesboro Blues
engineer:
Aaron Baron (engineer) and Larry Dahlstrom
producer:
Tom Dowd
mixer:
Jay Mark
acoustic guitar and slide guitar:
Duane Allman (on 1971-03-12)
bass:
Berry Oakley (US bassist, The Allman Brothers Band) (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13)
drums (drum set):
Jai Johanny Johanson (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13) and Butch Trucks (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13)
drums (drum set) and percussion:
Jaimoe (on 1971-03-12) and Butch Trucks (on 1971-03-12)
electric bass guitar:
Berry Oakley (US bassist, The Allman Brothers Band) (on 1971-03-12)
guitar:
Duane Allman (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13, on 1971-03-12) and Dickey Betts (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13, on 1971-03-12)
organ:
Gregg Allman (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13)
organ and piano:
Gregg Allman (on 1971-03-12)
vocals:
Gregg Allman (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13, on 1971-03-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
The Island Def Jam Music Group (American holding company, not normally a release label) (in 2003)
recorded at:
Fillmore East in East Village, New York, New York, United States (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13, on 1971-03-12)
live cover recording of:
Statesboro Blues (from 1971-03-11 until 1971-03-13)
lyricist and composer:
Blind Willie McTell
publisher:
Peer International Corporation (BMI)
live cover recording of:
Statesboro Blues (on 1971-03-12)
lyricist and composer:
Blind Willie McTell
publisher:
Peer International Corporation (BMI)
live recording of:
Statesboro Blues (on 1971-03-12)
lyricist and composer:
Blind Willie McTell
publisher:
Peer International Corporation (BMI)
The Allman Brothers Band3.154:19
10Spoonful
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1960-06)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (in 1960-06)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (in 1960-06)
guitar:
Hubert Sumlin (Chicago blues guitarist and singer) (in 1960-06)
piano:
Otis Spann (in 1960-06)
lead vocals:
Howlin’ Wolf (in 1960-06)
part of:
Rolling Stone: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time (2026-05-04) (number: 47), Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 2010), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 154) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 219)
recording of:
Spoonful (in 1960-06)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Bug Music Ltd., Hoochie Coochie Music, Jewel Music Publishing Co. Ltd. (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Mathews Music
Howlin’ Wolf52:44
11(I’m Your) Hoochie Coochie Man
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1954-01-07)
double bass:
Willie Dixon (on 1954-01-07)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below (on 1954-01-07)
guitar:
Muddy Waters (blues musician) (on 1954-01-07) and Jimmy Rogers (blues artist) (on 1954-01-07)
harmonica:
Little Walter (blues performer and songwriter) (on 1954-01-07)
piano:
Otis Spann (on 1954-01-07)
vocals:
Muddy Waters (blues musician) (on 1954-01-07)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1954)
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 1984), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 225)
recording of:
I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man (on 1954-01-07)
lyricist and composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Arc Music (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Bug Music Ltd., Campbell Connelly, Hello Mr. Wilson, Hoochie Coochie Music, Jewel Music Pub Co Ltd (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Willie Dixon Music
Muddy Waters3.752:51
12Have You Ever Loved a Woman
engineer:
Randall Merryman
cover recording of:
Have You Ever Loved a Woman
lyricist and composer:
Billy Myles
publisher:
Fort Knox Music Inc., Lark Music Ltd. and Trio Music Company
Freddie King3:06
13Hound Dog
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1952-08-13)
recording engineer and mixer:
Joel Moss
assistant engineer:
Tom Hardisty (film score engineer), Brandon Harris (US engineer) and Sue McLean
producer:
Hummie Mann, Johnny Otis and Marc Shaiman (American score composer and lyricist)
editor:
Curtis Roush
double bass [bass]:
Albert Winston (R&B bassist) (on 1952-08-13)
drums (drum set):
Leard Bell (R&B drummer) (on 1952-08-13)
guitar:
Pete Lewis (on 1952-08-13)
piano:
Devonia Williams (US R&B pianist/singer) (on 1952-08-13)
vibraphone [vibes]:
Johnny Otis (on 1952-08-13)
vocals:
Big Mama Thornton (on 1952-08-13)
orchestra:
Johnny Otis & His Orchestra (on 1952-08-13)
conductor:
Artie Kane
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 2006)
recording of:
Hound Dog (on 1952-08-13)
lyricist:
Jerry Leiber (on 1952-08-12)
composer:
Mike Stoller (on 1952-08-12)
previously attributed to:
Johnny Otis
publisher:
Chappell Morris Ltd., Cherry Lane, Cherry Lane Music, Cherry Lane Music Publishing, Elvis Presley Music, Gladys Music, Lion Publishing Co., MCA Music Inc. (US-based music publishers), MCA Music Ltd., MCA Music Publishing (renamed since c. 1996 as Universal Music Publishing Group), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Universal Music Publishing (use ONLY if no country‐specific information is available), Universal/MCA Music (music publisher; do not use as release label!), Williamson Music Company and Williamson Music, Inc.
Big Mama Thornton4.652:50
14Big Boss Man
double bass [acoustic bass]:
Willie Dixon (on 1960-03-29)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
Earl Phillips (on 1960-03-29)
guitar:
Lefty Bates (on 1960-03-29), Lee Baker (US blues singer and guitarist, aka Lonnie Brooks) (on 1960-03-29) and Jimmy Reed (blues musician) (on 1960-03-29)
harmonica:
Jimmy Reed (blues musician) (on 1960-03-29)
vocals:
Mama Reed (on 1960-03-29) and Jimmy Reed (blues musician) (on 1960-03-29)
cover recording of:
Big Boss Man (on 1960-03-29)
writer:
Luther Dixon and Al Smith (US blues artist)
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher), Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Conrad Publishing Co. Inc., EMI Unart Catalog Inc., EMI United Partnership Ltd., Mijac Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, Tristan Music Ltd., フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department), ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ロックンロール ミュージック (Rock ’n’ Roll Music)
Jimmy Reed2:47
15One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1966)
executive producer:
Marshall Chess
producer:
Ralph Bass
editor:
Ron Malo
guitar:
Eddie Burns (American Detroit blues guitarist) and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
instruments:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
lead vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
recorded at:
Chess Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1966)
recording of:
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
lyricist:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
composer:
Rudolph Toombs
publisher:
Arc Music Corp. (U.S. rock & blues publisher) and Tristan Music Ltd.
is based on:
House Rent Boogie
John Lee Hooker3.53:01
16Wang Dang Doodle
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1965-12-07)
producer:
Willie Dixon
bass:
Jack Meyers (US blues bassist) (on 1965-12-07)
drums (drum set):
Fred Below
guitar:
Buddy Guy (on 1965-12-07) and Johnny "Twist" Williams (Side-man blues guitar player, Big Boy Spires associate) (on 1965-12-07)
piano:
Lafayette Leake (on 1965-12-07)
saxophone [sax]:
Gene Barge (on 1965-12-07) and Donald Hankins (Saxophonist) (on 1965-12-07)
tenor saxophone:
Gene Barge
background vocals:
Willie Dixon (on 1965-12-07)
lead vocals:
Koko Taylor
vocals:
Koko Taylor (on 1965-12-07)
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 1995)
cover recording of:
Wang Dang Doodle (on 1965-12-07)
lyricist:
Willie Dixon (in 1960-06)
composer:
Willie Dixon
publisher:
Bug Music Ltd. and Hoochie Coochie Music
Koko Taylor43:02
17Born Under a Bad Sign
recorded in:
Memphis, Tennessee, United States (in 1967)
producer:
Jim Stewart (US producer, founder for Stax & Volt Records)
bass guitar:
Donald “Duck” Dunn (US bass guitarist, session musician, record producer & songwriter) (in 1967)
drums (drum set):
Al Jackson, Jr. (Booker T & The MGs drummer) (in 1967)
guitar:
Steve Cropper (in 1967) and Albert King (well‐known US blues guitarist & singer) (in 1967)
horn:
Joe Arnold (in 1967), Wayne Jackson (trumpet/horn, member of The Mar-Keys and The Memphis Horns) (in 1967) and Andrew Love (in 1967)
piano:
Isaac Hayes (in 1967) and Booker T. Jones (in 1967)
lead vocals:
Albert King (well‐known US blues guitarist & singer) (in 1967)
performer:
Booker T. & the MG’s (in 1967) and The Memphis Horns (in 1967)
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 1988)
recording of:
Born Under a Bad Sign (in 1967)
lyricist:
William Bell
composer:
Booker T. Jones
publisher:
Cotillion Music Inc. (BMI), Irving Music, Inc., Warner Bros. Music Ltd. (UK subsidiary, so named 1970‐01‐23–1971‐04‐26 and 1972‐04‐25–1988‐08‐23) and Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Albert King32:46
18Tell Mama
recording engineer and producer:
Rick Hall (American producer & FAME studios founder, “Father of Muscle Shoals Music”)
drums (drum set):
Roger Hawkins (drummer and producer) (on 1967-08-24)
electric bass guitar:
David Hood (Muscle Shoals, AL guitarist and trombonist) (on 1967-08-24)
guitar:
Jimmy Johnson (guitar, producer, Muscle Shoals rhythm section) (on 1967-08-24) and Albert Lowe Jr. (American guitarist, bassist, and songwriter) (on 1967-08-24)
organ:
Carl Banks (on 1967-08-24) and Dewey Oldham (on 1967-08-24)
piano:
Dewey Oldham (on 1967-08-24)
saxophone:
Charles Chalmers (American saxophonist, singer-songwriter, arranger, and producer) (on 1967-08-24), Floyd Newman (on 1967-08-24) and Aaron Varnell (on 1967-08-24)
trumpet:
Gene “Bowlegs” Miller (American trumpeter) (on 1967-08-24)
lead vocals:
Etta James (on 1967-08-24)
arranger:
Rick Hall (American producer & FAME studios founder, “Father of Muscle Shoals Music”)
recorded at:
FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States (on 1967-08-24)
cover recording of:
Tell Mama (on 1967-08-24)
writer:
Clarence Carter, Marcus Daniel and Wilbur Terrell
publisher:
Lowery Music Corp.
Etta James42:21
19Turn On Your Love Light
part of:
Dave Marsh: The Best of the Top 40 Singles: 1961 (number: 16) and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 500 Songs That Shaped Rock
recording of:
Turn On Your Love Light
writer:
Deadric Malone and J. Scott (Joseph Wade Scott)
publisher:
Don Music, Duchess Music Corporation (BMI-affiliated), Songs of Universal, Inc. (BMI) and Universal Duchess Music Corporation
sub-publisher:
シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
Bobby “Blue” Bland52:39
20The Thrill Is Gone
recording of:
The Thrill Is Gone (1951 blues song) (from 1969-06-24 until 1969-06-25)
writer:
Roy Hawkins (in 1951) and Rick Darnell (in 1951)
publisher:
BMG Music Publishing, Inc., Carlin Music Corporation, Grosvenor House Music, Modern Music Publishing Co., Inc., Pamco Music Inc., Powerforce Music, Sounds Of Lucille, Inc. and Universal Music Careers
B.B. King4.54:01