Blues A/A+ List

Marcia Ball (1950– )

w/Angela Strehli, Lou Ann Barton: Dreams Come True [1990, Antone's], A

Bobby "Blue" Bland (1930– )

The Voice: Duke Recordings 1959–69 [1959–69, Ace], A

Big Bill Broonzy (1893–1958)

The Young Big Bill Broonzy 1928–1935 [1928–35, Yazoo], A
The Essential [1930–42, Classic Blues, 2 CD], A

Champion Jack Dupree (1910–92)

Forever and Ever [1991, Bullseye], A

Sue Foley (1968– )

Without a Warning [1993, Antone's], A

Z.Z. Hill (1935–84)

Greatest Hits [1981–84, Malaco], A

John Lee Hooker (1920–2001)

The Ultimate Collection (1948–1990) [1948–90, Rhino, 2 CD], A
Hooker [1949–98, Shout! Factory, 4 CD], A

Lightnin' Hopkins (1912–82)

Jake Head Boogie [1951–54, Ace], A
Blues Masters: The Very Best of Lightnin' Hopkins [1947–61, Rhino], A

Howlin' Wolf (1910–78)

Howlin' Wolf / Moanin' in the Moonlight [1951–61, Chess], A+
The Definitive Collection [1951–64, Geffen/Chess], A+
The Real Folk Blues [1957–65, Chess], A
The Real Folk Blues / More Real Folk Blues [1953–65, MCA/Chess], A
Change My Way [1959–66, Chess], A
The Chess Box [1951–73, Chess, 3 CD], A

Alberta Hunter (1895–1984)

Amtrak Blues [1980, Columbia], A

Mississippi John Hurt (1893–1966)

Avalon Blues: The Complete 1928 Okeh Recordings [1928, Columbia/Legacy], A
Avalon Blues [1963, Rounder], A
The Best of Mississippi John Hurt [1965, Vanguard], A
The Immortal Mississippi John Hurt [(1967), Vanguard], A
Rediscovered [(1998), Vanguard], A+

Elmore James (1918–63)

The Sky Is Crying: The History of Elmore James [1951–61, Rhino], A+
Shake Your Money Maker: The Best of the Fire Sessions [1959–61, Buddha], A
King of the Slide Guitar [1959–63, Capricorn, 2 CD], A

Etta James (1938– )

Her Best: The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection [1960–70, Chess], A
The Definitive Collection [1954–2004, Geffen/Chronicles], A

Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929)

King of the Country Blues [1926–29, Yazoo], A

Lonnie Johnson (1889–1970)

Steppin' on the Blues [1925–32, Columbia], A

Robert Johnson (1911–38)

King of the Delta Blues [1936–37, Columbia/Legacy], A

B.B. King (1925– )

Blues Kingpins [1951–62, Virgin/The Right Stuff], A

Little Walter (1930–68)

His Best: The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection [1952–60, Chess], A
Hate to See You Go [1952–60, Chess/MCA], A
The Essential Little Walter [(1993), Chess, 2 CD], A

Taj Mahal (1942– )

The Best of Taj Mahal [1967–74, Columbia/Legacy], A

Professor Longhair (1918–80)

'Fess: The Professor Longhair Anthology [1949–78, Rhino, 2 CD], A
Crawfish Fiesta [(1980), Alligator], A

Jimmy Reed (1925–76)

Blues Masters: The Very Best of Jimmy Reed [1953–63, Rhino], A
The Best of the Vee-Jay Years [1953–63, Shout! Factory], A
The Best of Jimmy Reed [1953–64, GNP/Crescendo], A

Tampa Red (1904–81)

The Bluebird Recordings 1934–1936 [1934–36, RCA, 2 CD], A

Muddy Waters (1915–83)

The Best of Muddy Waters [1948–54, Chess], A
Trouble No More: Singles (1955–1959) [1955–59, Chess], A+
The Chess Box [1947–72, Chess, 3 CD], A
The Definitive Collection [1948–76, Geffen/Chess/Chronicles], A
Hard Again [1977, Blue Sky], A

Sonny Boy Williamson (1899–1965)

King Biscuit Time [1951, Arhoolie], A
The Real Folk Blues [1957–63, Chess], A
More Real Folk Blues [1960–64, Chess], A
The Real Folk Blues / More Real Folk Blues [1957–64, MCA/Chess], A
His Best [1955–64, MCA/Chess], A
The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson [1955–64, Chess, 2 CD], A+

Various Artists

Back to the Crossroads: The Roots of Robert Johnson [1926–36, Yazoo], A
The Best There Ever Was: The Legendary Early Blues Performers [1927–35, Yazoo], A
The Blues: A Smithsonian Collection of Classic Blues Singers [1923–85, Smithsonian, 4 CD], A
Blues Masters Volume 5: Jump Blues Classics [(1992), Rhino], A
Blues Masters Volume 14: More Jump Blues [(1993), Rhino], A
Blues Story [1920–84, Shout, 2 CD], A
Guitar Player Presents Legends of Guitar: Electric Blues, Vol. 1 [(1990), Rhino], A
When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 6: Poor Man's Heaven [1928–40, Bluebird], A
Wild About My Lovin', Beale Street Blues [1928–30, RCA], A