A History of The Blues
Today! by Mississippi John Hurt
- Details
- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Albums
Overview
Today! is the third body of recorded work, and second proper studio album, by the Mississippi country-blues songster Mississippi John Hurt (born John Smith Hurt, July 3, 1893, in Teoc, Mississippi; died November 2, 1966, in Grenada, Mississippi). Released by Vanguard Records in 1966, it was Hurt's first album for that label and one of the earliest commercial documents of his remarkable late-career "rediscovery." In 2009 it was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry as a recording of lasting cultural and historical significance.
Rocko Records: A Louisiana Rockabilly and R&B Gem
- Details
- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Labels
Rocko Records was a small independent label based in Crowley, Louisiana, active primarily in the late 1950s. It operated as part of producer and label owner Jay Miller’s network of imprints and specialized in raw, energetic rockabilly, country, and rhythm-and-blues recordings that captured the vibrant Gulf Coast music scene. While never a major commercial powerhouse, Rocko Records played a notable role in documenting Louisiana’s contributions to early rock ‘n’ roll and swamp-pop sounds.
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Johnny Winter: The Albino Blues-Rock Firebrand
- Details
- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Artists
John Dawson Winter III (February 23, 1944 – July 16, 2014) was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer whose explosive slide guitar, raw energy, and deep commitment to the blues made him one of the most influential figures in blues-rock. Born with albinism in Beaumont, Texas, Winter overcame physical challenges and industry hurdles to build a career spanning over five decades. He bridged traditional Delta and Chicago blues with high-octane rock, produced Grammy-winning albums for Muddy Waters, and earned his own accolades, including induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Mistreatin' Mama by Big Bill Broonzy
- Details
- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Songs
"Mistreatin' Mama" is one of Big Bill Broonzy's earliest and most influential recordings, a raw country blues from the Depression era that captures the sound of a young artist finding his voice. Recorded in 1932 under the pseudonym "Big Bill Johnson," it represents a crucial moment in Broonzy's development from a derivative country fiddler to a distinctive blues voice.
Blue Sky Records: A Custom Blues-Rock Powerhouse of the 1970s
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- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Labels
Blue Sky Records was a short-lived but impactful custom imprint created for Columbia Records (CBS). Active primarily from 1973 to 1983, it focused on blues, rock, and funk-tinged acts managed by impresario Steve Paul. The label is best remembered for Johnny Winter’s output, high-energy live recordings, and Johnny Winter’s production work that helped revive the career of Muddy Waters in his later years.
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Hard Again by Muddy Waters
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- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Albums
Hard Again is the landmark 1977 comeback album by Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield), marking a triumphant return to his raw Chicago blues roots after years of uneven Chess Records releases. Produced by his protégé Johnny Winter, the album won a Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording and is widely regarded as one of the greatest blues albums ever recorded. It peaked at No. 143 on the Billboard 200 — Waters' first chart appearance since Fathers and Sons in 1969.
Charley Patton: The Father of the Delta Blues
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- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Artists
Charley Patton (born April 1891 – died April 28, 1934), often spelled Charlie Patton, stands as one of the most important and influential figures in American music history. Widely regarded as the “Father of the Delta Blues,” he was a pioneering singer, guitarist, songwriter, and performer whose raw power, showmanship, and innovative style laid the foundation for much of what followed in blues, rock ’n’ roll, and related genres. Though his recording career lasted only five years, Patton created an enduring body of work that inspired generations of musicians, from Son House and Robert Johnson to Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and beyond.
32-20 Blues by Robert Johnson
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- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Songs
"32-20 Blues" is one of the most intense and unsettling recordings in the Robert Johnson catalog — a murder ballad disguised as a blues song, built around a borrowed guitar arrangement and a title that refers to a specific caliber of Winchester ammunition. Recorded during Johnson's first Texas sessions in 1936, it stands as a testament to his ability to absorb influences, transform them, and create something uniquely his own.
Alligator Records: Genuine Houserockin’ Music Since 1971
- Details
- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Labels
Alligator Records is one of the most successful and respected independent blues labels in the world. Based in Chicago, it has championed authentic, energetic blues and roots music for over five decades, releasing more than 350 albums while helping preserve and evolve the genre through raw, passionate recordings that bridge traditional styles with contemporary appeal.
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West Side Soul by Magic Sam
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- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Albums
West Side Soul is the debut studio album by Chicago blues guitarist and vocalist Magic Sam (Samuel Gene Maghett), released by Delmark Records in 1968. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest electric blues albums ever recorded and a defining document of the West Side Chicago blues sound. The album was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984, recognized as a "Classic of Blues Recording."
Tommy Johnson: The Falsetto King of Delta Blues
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- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Artists
Tommy Johnson (January 1896 – November 1, 1956) was a pioneering Mississippi Delta blues musician whose haunting falsetto voice, expressive guitar playing, and emotionally charged performances made him one of the most influential artists of the prewar era. Though his commercial recording career was brief—spanning only 1928 to 1930—his songs became standards, and his style profoundly shaped later blues legends. Johnson is also remembered for popularizing the “crossroads” legend of selling one’s soul to the devil for musical talent, a story later associated with Robert Johnson (no relation).
Screamin' And Hollerin' The Blues by Charley Patton
- Details
- Written by: Simon Godfrey
- Category: Songs
"Screamin' And Hollerin' The Blues" is one of the most important and influential recordings in the history of Delta blues. Recorded by Charley Patton during his legendary first session for Paramount Records, it established a guitar arrangement that would echo through decades of blues music.
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