Journey through the heart of the blues with profiles of legendary artists. Uncover the techniques of masters like Muddy Waters, the fiery passion of Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the soulful depth of John Lee Hooker. Explore their signature guitar styles, delve into their gear setups, and discover essential album recommendations that shaped the genre.
Mance Lipscomb: The Sage of the Texas SongstersNew!!
Mance Lipscomb was not just a bluesman; he was a "songster," a title that carries the weight of an entire era of American music. Born in 1895 in Navasota, Texas, Lipscomb lived the majority of his life as a tenant farmer, only gaining international recognition in 1960 at the age of 65. His discovery by […]
Lurrie Bell: The Resilience of Chicago BluesNew!!
Lurrie Bell’s career has been shaped by his collaborations with the architects of the Chicago sound. Beyond his lifelong musical partnership with Carey Bell, he spent years as a member of Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine
Charley Patton: The Father of the Delta Blues
Charley Patton was the most influential figure in the early development of the Mississippi Delta blues, often referred to as the "Father of the Delta Blues." Born in the late 19th century, Patton possessed a gravelly, commanding voice and a rhythmic, percussive guitar style that laid the groundwork for almost every bluesman who followed, from […]
Homesick James: The Master of the Elmore James Slide
Homesick James, born James Williamson, was a towering figure in the development of the Chicago blues sound. As the cousin of the legendary Elmore James, he was a direct link to the Mississippi Delta roots that transformed into the electrified, hard-driving blues of the North. Homesick James was a master of the slide guitar, known […]
Billy Flynn: The Navigator of the Blues Highway
Billy Flynn isn't just a guitarist; he's a living conduit for the rich, electrified history of the blues. With five decades in the game, he's earned his status as a first-call session master and a nuanced bandleader, known for his ability to perfectly conjure the sound of Chicago legends while maintaining a versatile, original voice. […]
Clyde Maxwell: The Last Echo of the Delta Blues
Clyde Maxwell, often known by the nickname Clyde "Judas" Maxwell, was an American folk and blues musician from Mississippi whose work belongs to the tradition of deep Southern regional blues. He was primarily known for his contribution to traditional blues and work songs, performing for folklorists late in his life. His legacy is preserved almost […]
Jesse Fuller: The Original One-Man Band and Blues Troubadour
Jesse Fuller’s legacy extends far beyond his famous compositions. He solved the problem of economic touring by creating a complete orchestra in one person, driven by his feet, hands,
Jimmy Rogers: The Architect of Chicago Rhythm
Jimmy Rogers (1924–1997), born James A. Lane, was one of the foundational figures of the post-war electric Chicago blues sound. He is best known as the essential rhythm guitarist and occasional vocalist in the original, classic lineup of the Muddy Waters Band from 1950 to 1960. While Muddy Waters brought the raw Delta intensity, Rogers […]
Howlin' Wolf: The Voice and Guitar of Primal Chicago Blues
Chester Arthur Burnett (1910–1976), universally known as Howlin' Wolf, was an imposing and essential figure in electric blues, whose booming voice and fiercely raw guitar style made him one of the most powerful artists to emerge from the post-war Chicago blues scene. Originating in Mississippi, Wolf's music was the visceral link between the harsh, acoustic […]
Susan Tedeschi: The Soulful Voice of Modern Blues-Rock
Susan Tedeschi (born 1970) is one of the most respected and powerful figures in contemporary blues-rock, celebrated equally for her extraordinary soulful voice and her visceral, blues-drenched guitar playing. Emerging in the late 1990s, Tedeschi built a career on a foundation of gospel, Delta blues, R&B, and electric rock, often drawing comparison to legendary singers […]