Any conversation about blues guitarists is sure to be full of debate and opinion. Dependent on whether somebody likes traditional blues played on acoustic guitars, or Chicago blues, or West Coast jump style, or the rockin ' blues of plenty of today's up and coming blues guitarist, you would get a different answer to the question, 'who is the best blues guitar players?'.
And who's to point out they'd be wrong.
The single thing we could likely get any person to agree on is there are many styles of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues lover will develop their own tops and views.
So that having been said, this list is exactly my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I am not a blues newbie. I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years myself and I am still a part-time pro blues musician. So at least my point of view is an enlightened one.
And part of the problem with developing a "best of" list for blues guitar player is the popularity issue. The most popular also played other fashions of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitarist. But many of us think of them as blues musicians when in fact they were never. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Meat
First we've got to outline our standards. Here's the rules for my list.
1. They should be principally a blues player and play usually blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great strategy or at the very least be terribly innovative in their playing.
3. They have to be fairly well known and have some quantity of renown.
4. You have to be in a position to recognise them within just a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the finest blues guitar players ever and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one generally because of his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo within the initial few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the top of the list because he taught us all what not to play. His cheap, spacious style and great tone are his trademark. He gets more out of 5 notes than any other musician.
3. Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson's influence on all the other guitarist after him is legendary. There were other great Delta guitar players but he's the one all of the others talk about.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a dose of adrenalin that still has not worn out. He helped influence a new batch of blues guitarist and you can still hear his playing in them to this day.
5. Freddie King
He introduced the high-energy Texas type of blues to the world and also wrote many amazing songs still played to this very day.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His singular style and influence on others is still legendary. Few guitar players can match his style and to this day no one else sounds like him. And as far as showmanship, he taught all of the others who came after.
6. Albert Collins
Another one of my person favorites. Again his sound is unique and the easy power and spaciousness of his playing is something every good blues player struggles for.
8. Hubert Sumlin
Hubert was there from the beginning of the Chicago Blues. He played on so many great blues songs that to leave him off would be a farce.
9. Joe Bonamassa
OK this one might be dubious. He is here often for his technical ability. He will be able to play anything with extraordinary fluidity and tone. But you could disagree he's not actually a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Very similar to B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes thru his longevity. He could be a bit ott sometimes but who else has been there from the beginning of Chicago Blues and is still playing only the blues.
OK that is my take. Let the rumpus begin.
And who's to point out they'd be wrong.
The single thing we could likely get any person to agree on is there are many styles of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues lover will develop their own tops and views.
So that having been said, this list is exactly my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I am not a blues newbie. I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years myself and I am still a part-time pro blues musician. So at least my point of view is an enlightened one.
And part of the problem with developing a "best of" list for blues guitar player is the popularity issue. The most popular also played other fashions of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitarist. But many of us think of them as blues musicians when in fact they were never. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Meat
First we've got to outline our standards. Here's the rules for my list.
1. They should be principally a blues player and play usually blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great strategy or at the very least be terribly innovative in their playing.
3. They have to be fairly well known and have some quantity of renown.
4. You have to be in a position to recognise them within just a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the finest blues guitar players ever and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one generally because of his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo within the initial few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the top of the list because he taught us all what not to play. His cheap, spacious style and great tone are his trademark. He gets more out of 5 notes than any other musician.
3. Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson's influence on all the other guitarist after him is legendary. There were other great Delta guitar players but he's the one all of the others talk about.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a dose of adrenalin that still has not worn out. He helped influence a new batch of blues guitarist and you can still hear his playing in them to this day.
5. Freddie King
He introduced the high-energy Texas type of blues to the world and also wrote many amazing songs still played to this very day.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His singular style and influence on others is still legendary. Few guitar players can match his style and to this day no one else sounds like him. And as far as showmanship, he taught all of the others who came after.
6. Albert Collins
Another one of my person favorites. Again his sound is unique and the easy power and spaciousness of his playing is something every good blues player struggles for.
8. Hubert Sumlin
Hubert was there from the beginning of the Chicago Blues. He played on so many great blues songs that to leave him off would be a farce.
9. Joe Bonamassa
OK this one might be dubious. He is here often for his technical ability. He will be able to play anything with extraordinary fluidity and tone. But you could disagree he's not actually a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Very similar to B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes thru his longevity. He could be a bit ott sometimes but who else has been there from the beginning of Chicago Blues and is still playing only the blues.
OK that is my take. Let the rumpus begin.
About the Author:
Rick Honeyboy Hart is a long-time blues guitar player. He teaches blues guitar on his website and talks about blues guitar players like Buddy Guy.
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