While the essence of the blues has to be Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and all those mostly forgotten acoustic blues wailers, they are not the best way to start your blues collection, are they? I would go with British blues rockers from the 60s. I'm gonna write more about this wonderful boom of British guitarists playing old music of black American people in the nearest future, but meanwhile... My two favorite classic blues compositions and two most wonderful renditions I know of ;)
"Key to the Highway" was written by a prolific blues singer and guitarist, Big Bill Broonzy, sometime around 1940. Exactly 30 years later Eric Clapton played it with probably greatest white slide guitar player, Duane Allman, and released it on Derek and the Dominos album called "Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs". This wonderful rendition clocks at more than 9 minutes, it's a really great jam. Listen to it on YouTube while it's still available ;) Eric Clapton played the song many times during his career since then, check out another version of "Key to the Highway" jammed with Buddy Guy in the late 80s.
Another great song that started out as acoustic delta blues but then got picked up by British blues fanatics is Robert Johnson's probably most haunting ballad, "Love In Vain". The song from 1937 was covered famously by the Rolling Stones on one of their best albums, "Let It Bleed", in acoustic country blues vein. The band played it live on the tour amplified, though, and for me it's just the essence of the blues. One of the most magnificent moments in its late history. God bless Keith Richards, Mick Taylor and Mick Jagger. And the rest of the Stones. Hear it here during 1969 US tour and get it on "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" live album. It was also played in somehow extended way (with famous solo by Mick Taylor) during 1972 tour and it can be seen on "Ladies and Gentlemen" film of the tour and many YouTube videos.
Still not getting the blues, huh? Ya can't go wrong with this.
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