Follow
So, you’ve practiced. You’re starting to get good at the blues guitar and improve. But, maybe you need a little inspiration. Maybe you need hear what the greats sounded like to inspire your own blues. Let’s examine the songs that we consider to make up the eight Top Blues Guitar Performances of all time.
Top Blues Guitar Performances
1.) Cream – “Crossroads” from “Wheels of Fire”:
This song serves as a prime example as to why the industry reveres Eric Clapton as a phenomenal blues player. The song’s main riff became an instant classic. Clapton’s performances were never as energetic and so full of life following this period of his career.
2.) The Griff Hamlin Band – “G String Shuffle” from “The Griff Hamlin Band”:
Call us bias, but we believe that Griff Hamlin is one of the most prominent online guitar educators on the market right now. Griff Hamlin has the chops to back up what he tells his students. “G String Shuffle” showcases his talents in its purest form with a straight-ahead blues jam on his band’s self-titled record. Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray should take notice. Check out our review of the Griff Hamlins Blues Guitar lesson program!
3.) Elmore James – “Dust My Broom”:
Despite the sound quality of this recording, the performance absolutely shines. Anyone interested in learning to play slide guitar absolutely must start with the undisputed king of the playing style, Elmore James.
4.) Allman Brothers Band – “Statesboro Blues” from “At Fillmore East”:
On the opening cut from this legendary live album, Duane Allman displays his incredible slide guitar techniques. Allman transforms the Blind Willie McTell standard into his own. Many people rightfully favor this song over “Whipping Post” because of its comparative lack of play, brevity and the fact that it doesn’t require a huge number of chord changes to impress.
Picture
5.) T-Bone Walker – “West Side Baby”:
This is one of the best performances by a legend from the realm of the blues guitar pioneers. “West Side” find T-Bone at his very best, fulfilling the potential promised in his early singles and pointing the way for generations of blues guitarists to follow.
6.) B.B. King – “The Thrill is Gone” from “Completely Well”:
While this song’s expert string arrangement and powerful rhythm section serve as a strong closer to a classic blues album, King’s guitar playing elevates the performance into the realm of the sublime. You really should consider making this song a staple of your record collections. King’s restraint allows him to bring out as much emotion as possible out of each and every note.
7.) Freddie King – “Going Down” from “Getting Ready”:
Clapton fans should immediately notice King’s influence in Eric’s playing style. While this song also carries obvious rock influences, it shows just how capable Freddie was at mixing and matching eclectic styles.
Picture
8.) Stevie Ray Vaughan – “Texas Flood”:
This song forever cemented Vaughan’s legacy and spawned a million imitators. It serves as a shining example of tailoring a composition to a particular soloist and executing the expressive qualities of the guitar to their fullest.
Picture
