Any discussion about blues guitarists is bound to be full of controversy and opinion. Dependent on whether someone likes conventional blues played on acoustic guitars, or Chicago blues, or West Coast jump style, or the rockin ' blues of plenty of today's new blues guitarist, you would get a different answer to the question , 'who is the best blues guitarist?'.
And who's to point out they might be wrong.
The one thing we could probably get anybody to agree on is there are many fashions of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues aficionado will develop their own favourites and opinions.
So that having been said, this list is precisely my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I am not a blues beginner. I have been playing the guitar for over 40 years myself and I'm still a part time professional blues musician. So at least my take is an enlightened one.
And part of the problem with choosing a "best of" list for blues guitar player is the renown issue. The most well liked also played other fashions of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitar players. But many of us think about them as blues musicians when actually they were never. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Point
First we've got to define our criteria. Here's the rules for my list.
1. They need to be principally a blues player and play often blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great method or at least be very cutting edge in their playing.
3. They have to be moderately well known and have some degree of acceptance.
4. You must be able to recognize them within just a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the finest blues guitar players in history and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one usually due to his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo inside the initial few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the head 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 guitar player after him is legendary. There were other great Delta guitar players but he's the one all the others talk of.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a shot 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 date.
5. Freddie King
He introduced the high-energy Texas style of blues to the world and also wrote many amazing songs still played to this date.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His anomalous style and influence on others is still legendary. Only a few guitar players can emulate his style and to this day nobody else sounds like him. And as far as showmanship, he taught all the others who came after.
6. Albert Collins
Another one of my person favourites. Again his sound is unique and the simple 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 could be dubious. He's here often for his technical ability. He will be able to play anything with amazing fluidity and tone. But you might argue he's not really a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Much like B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes thru his longevity. He might be a bit OTT sometimes but who else has been there from the start of Chicago Blues and is still playing only the blues.
OK that is my take. Let the controversy begin.
And who's to point out they might be wrong.
The one thing we could probably get anybody to agree on is there are many fashions of blues guitar. And, overtime, any blues aficionado will develop their own favourites and opinions.
So that having been said, this list is precisely my very own opinion and has no foundation in objectivity. Now I am not a blues beginner. I have been playing the guitar for over 40 years myself and I'm still a part time professional blues musician. So at least my take is an enlightened one.
And part of the problem with choosing a "best of" list for blues guitar player is the renown issue. The most well liked also played other fashions of music. They were at best "part-time" blues guitar players. But many of us think about them as blues musicians when actually they were never. But who cares really.
OK Let's Get To The Point
First we've got to define our criteria. Here's the rules for my list.
1. They need to be principally a blues player and play often blues music. (That leaves Eric Clapton out).
2. They must have great method or at least be very cutting edge in their playing.
3. They have to be moderately well known and have some degree of acceptance.
4. You must be able to recognize them within just a few notes.
OK let's get to it. Here's my subjective list of the finest blues guitar players in history and why I put them on this list.
1. B.B. King
B.B. Makes the list as number one usually due to his longevity and influence but also his tone and taste. You can identify a B.B. King solo inside the initial few notes.
2. Albert King
Albert is at the head 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 guitar player after him is legendary. There were other great Delta guitar players but he's the one all the others talk of.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan
SRV burst on the blues scene in the early 1980's. He gave the blues a shot 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 date.
5. Freddie King
He introduced the high-energy Texas style of blues to the world and also wrote many amazing songs still played to this date.
6. T-Bone Walker
T-Bone likely should be rated higher. His anomalous style and influence on others is still legendary. Only a few guitar players can emulate his style and to this day nobody else sounds like him. And as far as showmanship, he taught all the others who came after.
6. Albert Collins
Another one of my person favourites. Again his sound is unique and the simple 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 could be dubious. He's here often for his technical ability. He will be able to play anything with amazing fluidity and tone. But you might argue he's not really a blues guy.
10. Buddy Guy
Much like B.B. King, Buddy Guy has earned his stripes thru his longevity. He might be a bit OTT sometimes but who else has been there from the start of Chicago Blues and is still playing only the blues.
OK that is my take. Let the controversy 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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