Any examination about blues guitarists is certain to be full of controversy and opinion. Dependent on whether a person likes conventional blues played on acoustic guitars, or Chicago blues, or West Coast jump style, or the rockin ' blues of many of today's new blues guitarist, you would get a different answer to the question , 'who is the best blues guitar players?'.
And who's to assert they'd be wrong.
The single thing we could likely get any person to agree on is there are several fashions of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues aficionado will develop their own favorites and viewpoints.
So that said, this list is precisely my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I am not a blues beginner. I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years myself and I'm still a part time professional blues musician. So at least my point of view is an educated one.
And part of the issue with choosing a "best of" list for blues guitar player is the recognition issue. The hottest also played other styles of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitar players. But many of us think about them as blues musicians when in fact they were never. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Meat
First we have to define our criteria. Here's the guidelines for my list.
1. They should be predominantly a blues player and play usually blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great method or at least be very inventive in their playing.
3. They've got to be reasonably well-known and have some degree of renown.
4. You need to be in a position to recognize them within just a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the finest blues guitarists of all time and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one mostly because of his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo inside the first few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the top of the list because he taught us all what not to play. His economical, 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 other guitar player after him is mythical. There were other great Delta guitar players but he is the one all the others talk about.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a drop of adrenalin that still has not worn out. He helped influence a brand new crop 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 dazzling songs still played to this day.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His singular style and influence on others is still mythical. Only a few guitarists 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 of my person favorites. Again his sound is unique and the simple power and spaciousness of his playing is something each good blues player aims for.
8. Hubert Sumlin
Hubert was there from the start of the Chicago Blues. He played on so many great blues songs that to leave him off would be a travesty.
9. Joe Bonamassa
OK this one might be controversial. He is here often for his technical ability. He will be able to play anything with extraordinary fluidity and tone. But you could argue he's not really a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Very like B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes through his longevity. He may 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's my take. Let the argument begin.
And who's to assert they'd be wrong.
The single thing we could likely get any person to agree on is there are several fashions of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues aficionado will develop their own favorites and viewpoints.
So that said, this list is precisely my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I am not a blues beginner. I've been playing the guitar for over 40 years myself and I'm still a part time professional blues musician. So at least my point of view is an educated one.
And part of the issue with choosing a "best of" list for blues guitar player is the recognition issue. The hottest also played other styles of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitar players. But many of us think about them as blues musicians when in fact they were never. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Meat
First we have to define our criteria. Here's the guidelines for my list.
1. They should be predominantly a blues player and play usually blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great method or at least be very inventive in their playing.
3. They've got to be reasonably well-known and have some degree of renown.
4. You need to be in a position to recognize them within just a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the finest blues guitarists of all time and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one mostly because of his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo inside the first few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the top of the list because he taught us all what not to play. His economical, 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 other guitar player after him is mythical. There were other great Delta guitar players but he is the one all the others talk about.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a drop of adrenalin that still has not worn out. He helped influence a brand new crop 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 dazzling songs still played to this day.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His singular style and influence on others is still mythical. Only a few guitarists 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 of my person favorites. Again his sound is unique and the simple power and spaciousness of his playing is something each good blues player aims for.
8. Hubert Sumlin
Hubert was there from the start of the Chicago Blues. He played on so many great blues songs that to leave him off would be a travesty.
9. Joe Bonamassa
OK this one might be controversial. He is here often for his technical ability. He will be able to play anything with extraordinary fluidity and tone. But you could argue he's not really a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Very like B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes through his longevity. He may 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's my take. Let the argument 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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