Eyesight to the Blind: Sonny Boy Williamson (Trumpet Records) 

Rice Miller aka Sonny Boy Williamson didn’t make recordings until he was 50 years old and this is one of his first classics on the small Jackson, Mississippi label. What a groove – WOW! So simple, so right, so deep in the pocket, so low down. This country band was tight! 

The Thrill is Gone: Roy Hawkins, vocals; Maxwell Davis – saxophone (Modern Records)

This is the original that BB King is always given credit for. What a superb Maxwell Davis arrangement. Check out Davis on sax and the fabulous band. Hawkins is one of the very best 40s and early 50s West Coast blues vocalists. 

Travelin Blues: Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers: Johnny Moore - guitar; Eddie Williams - bass; Charles Brown - vocals, piano

Another exceptional late 40s West Coast blues. It doesn’t get much better than this! What an influence these great musicians had!

Blues In The Mornin’ – (Take 1): “Mumbles” Walter Horton – vocals, harmonica; Willie Johnson – guitar; Joe Hill Louis – drums (Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording and Sound Service, Unreleased - Released by Ace Records 1988)

Acoustic harmonica at its best from one of the masters. Who plays like this today? Nobody!

Honky Tonk Train: Lloyd Glenn Trio (Swing Time Records): Lloyd Glenn – piano; Billy Hadnott - bass; Bob Harvey - drums

Lloyd Glenn was a true genius West Coast blues piano player with his own unmistakable style and sound. What a feel on the keyboards – so lithe and lightning fast! 

Santa Fe Blues: Lightnin’ Hopkins – vocals, guitar (Goldstar Records)

This song is one of my long-time favorites, so low down and greeezee. That haunting style is so uniquely Lightnin’. A big influence on my playing. It’s all about the feel. 

Yonder’s Wall: Elmore James – vocals, guitar; Sammy Meyers – harmonica; Johnny Jones – piano (Fire Records)

This  Bobby Robinson, early 60s production showcases Elmore James’ band playing in that “stripped down Chicago blues style” that I love so much. Sammy Meyers’ harmonica playing is sooo good along with the great and rarely mentioned Johnny Jones on piano. Soon after this recording was made cancer took Johnny’s young life and he never got his due. 

Gambler’s Blues: Little Son Jackson – vocal, guitar

This is another of the great post-war Texas country bluesman who originally inspired me to play guitar. This solo performance rocks!

My Back Scratcher: Frank Frost – vocals; Oscar Williams - harmonica; Big Jack Johnson - guitar; Sam Carr (Robert Nighthawks’ son) - drums (Jewel Records)

Is this a groove or what? This is 60s Arkansas Juke Joint blues at its best with exceptional harmonica playing by the almost never mentioned Little Walter stylist Oscar Williams on harmonica.