Blues — In Stock — CDs 
Our Chicago roots run deep here, with plenty of postwar Chicago blues -- plus delta blues, folk blues, electric blues, pre-war blues, and more!
CDs (304) new/used, Vinyl (237) new/used, LPs (217) new/used, 7-inch (15) new/used, 78 RPM (5), Cassettes (4), All (545)
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Tradition, Late 50s-Mid 60s. Used ... $2.99
... CD
Aladdin/EMI, Late 40s. Used 2 CDs ... $6.99
With 43 tracks including "Big Mama Jump", "LA Blues", "Katie May", "Thinkin & Worryin", "Sugar On My Mind", "Moon Rise Blues", "Howling Wolf", and "See See Rider". CD
Tradition, 1959. Used ... $3.99
Rightly rootsy work from the great Lightnin Hopkins – captured beautifully here on a rare session for the mostly-folk Tradition label! A few tracks also feature some vocal assistance from Luke "Long Gone" Miles – and titles include "Long Time", "Baby", ... read more CD
(Out of print.)
Lightnin Hopkins —
Goin' Away ... CD Bluesville/OBC, 1963. Used ... Just Sold Out!
Lightning Hopkins gets accompanied by Leonard Gaskin and Herbie Lovelle. 8 tracks in all, including "Wake Up Old Lady", "Don't Embarrass Me, Baby", "Stranger Here", "Little Sister's Boogie", "Goin Away", "You Better Stop Her", "Busine ... read more CD
(Out of print Original Blues Classics pressing.)
Creative Sounds, Late 50s/1960s. Used ... $3.99
... CD
(Out of print.)
Sonet (UK), 1976. Used ... $4.99 9.99
Includes "Please Help Poor Me", "Way Out In Abilene", "Don't You Call That Boogie", "Swing In The Backyard", "The Hearse Is Backed Up To The Door" and more! CD
Herald/P-Vine (Japan), 1954. New Copy ... $18.99
Lightnin Hopkins at his best – a set that rings out with all his bold electric tones on the guitar, yet which also has the moody, stripped-down feel of a blues recording from a few decades before! The electricity really does a lot to deepen the tone – both in the echo from Hopkins' ... read more CD
Black, Late 40s/1960s. Used ... $1.99
... CD
(Out of print, small cutout hole through case.)
Fire/Sunset Blvd, Early 60s. New Copy ... $14.99 17.99
The complete work from a short but wonderful stretch of recording – a series of sides done for the Fire/Fury record label – which match the genius talents of Lightnin Hopkins and the soulful production of Harlem's great Bobby Robinson! The mix of modes is great – and rather than ... read more CD
Delmark, 1954. Used ... $8.99
Great early work recorded for the United label – including a few unissued tracks! CD
(Barcode has a cutout hole.)
Columbia/Edsel (UK), 1965. Used ... $9.99
A great return to recording for Son House – a musician who'd stopped playing the guitar in the postwar years, but rose again to fame during the great folk blues revival of the 60s! The style here is every bit as classic as some of Son's earliest music – just recorded a lot better, too ... read more CD
(Out of print.)
Blues Boulevard (Belgium), Late 2000s/Early 2010s. Used 2 CDs ... $3.99
Includes both studio and live recordings. CD
(Still sealed!)
Howlin Wolf —
Gold Collection ... CD Fine Tune, 1950s/1960s. Used ... Just Sold Out!
14 track compilation. CD
(Out of print.)
Chess, 1959. Used ... $3.99
2 blues classics from the great Howlin Wolf – back to back on a single CD! First up is the self-titled Howlin Wolf – a record that has Wolf tightening it up a bit from his earliest years at Chess, and moving into a groove that would forever make him one of the key artists to record for ... read more CD
Riverside/OBC, 1961. Used ... $3.99 5.99
Two great female blues talents, recorded at a time when they were still alive and well in Chicago – Alberta Hunter on vocals, and Lovie Austin on piano! CD
(Original Blues Classics pressing.)
Fuel 2000, Early 60s. Used ... $1.99 2.99
18 tracks in all – including "I'm Satisfied", "Rich Women Blues", "Chicken", "here I Am Oh Lord Send Me", "Coffee Blues", "Shake That Thing", "Make Me A Pallet On The Floor", "Salty Dog", and "Trouble I Had ... read more CD
Ace (UK), Early 50s. New Copy 3 CDs ... $14.99 24.99
A massive 3CD look at the key early years of Elmore James – a package that's overflowing with great work by one of the greatest blues guitarists of the 50s! The set starts way back at James' roots in Mississippi, with some sweetly rough-edged recordings that still sparkle with incredible ... read more CD
Eclipse, Late 1950s/Early 1960s. Used ... $2.99
... CD
(Out of print.)
Vanguard, Mid 60s. Used ... $4.99 6.99
Great spare work from Skip James – who plays both guitar and piano on the set! The album's one of Skip's best from the 60s – raw, rootsy, and undeniably powerful – with titles that include "Illinois Blues", "Catfish blues", "Mistreating Child Blues", ... read more CD
Skip James —
Skip James Today ... CD Vanguard, Mid 60s. Used ... $6.99
Skip plays both guitar and piano along with his vocals – and titles include "Special Rider Blues", "Crow Jane", "All Night Long", "Cypress Grove", "My Gal", and "Look Down The Road". CD
Black Swan, Late 20s. Used ... $4.99 6.99
... CD
(Out of print 2001 CD pressing.)
Sony, Late 20s/1930. Used 2 CDs ... $3.99
With 30 tracks including "Mother's Children Have A Hard Time", "Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying", "Bye and Bye I'm Goin' To See The King", "Take Your Stand", "Soul Of A Man", and "John The Revelator". CD
(1993 Sony pressing.)
Blind Willie Johnson —
Sweeter As The Years Go By ... CD Yazoo, Late 20s. Used ... $8.99
Key work from Blind Willie Johnson – a singer who only recorded for a few short years, but who left behind a tremendous legacy of music! Willie's got this unusual froggy style of singing that's unlike anyone else we've heard – except for maybe Clarence Henry – and it mixes ... read more CD
Jimmy Johnson —
Johnson's Whacks ... CD Delmark, 1979. Used ... $5.99
Features Jimmy Johnson on guitar and vocals, plus a bit of harmonica on one track too – and the set features an unusual take on Dave Brubeck's "Take Five"! CD
Telarc, 1995. Used ... $3.99
Features backing by The Magic Rockers – on a total of 16 tracks! CD
Robert Johnson —
Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings – Centennial Collection ... CD Columbia, 1930s. Used 2 CDs ... Just Sold Out!
An updated and superior version of the great Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings, first issued as a 2CD set in the early 90s – featuring The San Antonio Recordings on disc one and the Dallas Recordings on disc two – eaching with alternate versions of many numbers. The ... read more CD
(Sealed copy.)
Delmark, 1962. New Copy ... $6.99 12.99
Piano blues from the legendary Curtis Jones – a Texas player who first rose to fame in the late 30s, and who here still has a way with the keys and a vocal style that nobody else can touch! It's a bit hard to put the distinctness of Jones in words, but it definitely comes through on the ... read more CD
Also available Lonesome Bedroom Blues ... LP 9.99
Stax, Late 60s/Early 70s. Used ... $9.99
Collects b-sides, alternate takes, plus unissued cuts from Albert King's run at Stax and features Isaac Hayes, Booker T, Steve Cropper, and others! 13 tracks total. CD
BB King —
BB King Sings Spirituals (with bonus tracks) ... CD Crown/Ace (UK), Early 60s. Used ... $8.99
A genius early combination from BB King – his own majestic vocals and a host of spiritual sounds that bring out a whole new side of his talents! The pairing is unusual – as King hardly cut much other material in this manner – and the record puts aside his famous guitar work to ... read more CD
BB King —
Best Of BB King Vol 1 ... CD Flair/Virgin, 1950s/1960s. Used ... Just Sold Out!
... CD
(Out of print.)
BB King —
Blues (with bonus tracks) ... CD Crown/Ace (UK), 1958. Used ... $6.99
An album named after a genre, but one that offers up the very special focus that BB King brought to blues music – especially in these early years of his career! King's a giant at this point – a hell of a singer, with a sound that's a key bridge between gospel and soul – and a ... read more CD
BB King —
Blues In My Heart (with bonus tracks) ... CD Crown/Ace (UK), 1963. Used ... $6.99
Titles include "Got Em Bad", "The Wrong Wroad", "I Need You Baby", "So Many Days", and "Strange Things" – plus 8 bonus tracks. CD
(Out of print.)
Ace (UK), Late 50s/Early 60s. New Copy ... $12.99 19.99
An excellent collection of rare work from the legendary BB King – a selection of 25 tracks from the vaults of RPM and Kent Records, 23 of which appear here for the first time ever! Some cuts are alternates, some are different versions of other recordings – and all are pretty darn ... read more CD
MCA/BGO (UK), Late 60s. New Copy ... $7.99 19.99
BB King at his late 60s best – working here in the company of producers Johnny Pate and Quincy Jones, and serving up a great blend of blues and soul in the process! The set's less a "best of", than a collection of ABC work that doesn't seem to be on the other full albums of the ... read more CD
MCA, 1965. Used ... $1.99
An excellent set by BB King – one of his best from the 60s, and a smoking live set recorded at Chicago's legendary Regal Theatre! The enthusiasm at the venue shows that BB's Memphis-honed style is a perfect fit for the electrified Chicago sound of the 60s – and the recording really ... read more CD
(Back page of the booklet has some wear.)
BB King —
Modern Recordings 1950 to 1951 ... CD Modern/Ace (UK), 1950/1951. Used 2 CDs ... $11.99
33 tracks. CD
Crown/Ace (UK), 1961. Used ... $4.99 6.99
If you only know BB King from later years, you'll really be stunned at the sound of this great set from the start of the 60s – a record that's much more R&B than the straighter blues of King's bigger label work – and which has a jumping groove nearly all the way through! The mix of ... read more CD
Crown/P-Vine (Japan), 1963. Used ... $11.99 14.99
Includes 6 non-album bonus tracks. CD
(1997 Japanese pressing – includes obi! Artwork has some age spots.)
BB King —
There Must Be A Better World Somewhere ... CD MCA/BGO (UK), 1981. Used ... $6.99
... CD
Also available There Must Be A Better World Somewhere ... LP 4.99
Federal, Early 60s. Used ... $4.99
... CD
(1987 pressing with textured artwork. Handwritten title on each spine.)
Glades/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1976. New Copy ... $18.99 23.99
Tight and soulful blues from Little Milton – just the sort of record that helped him cross over to bigger audiences back in the day, and a set that still sounds plenty great all these many years later! The set was done in Chicago – arranged by James Mack, with backing vocals from Kitty ... read more CD
Little Milton —
Little Milton's Greatest Hits ... CD Chess, Late 60s. Used ... Just Sold Out!
Excellent 60s work from Little Milton – one of the few Chicago bluesmen of the 60s we actually dig! Milton always had a good deal of soul in his blues, and on these standout 60s tracks he really takes off – bridging worlds nicely, and crossing over to audiences who were digging sounds ... read more CD
(Sealed copy, mark through barcode.)
Glades/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1977. New Copy ... $18.99 23.99
Little Milton's always been as much of a soul singer as a bluesman – and this overlooked gem from the 70s has him hitting equally well on both fronts! The set's a great precursor to Milton's 80s revival on Malaco – but has the singer working in Chicago, with these deep soul ... read more CD
Chess/MCA, 1950s. Used 2 CDs ... $6.99 8.99
A fantastic set – 46 Chess Records recordings, including a few unissued titles! CD
(CONDITION NOTE: this copy is missing the booklet, complete track list on back cover – priced accordingly.)
Chess, Early 50s. Used ... $1.99
With 20 tracks including "Juke", "Sad Hours", "Blues With A Feeling", "It Ain't Right", "Tell Me Mama", "Mean Old World", and "You're So Fine". CD
(Out of print.)
Little Willie John —
Nineteen Sixty Six – The David Axelrod & HB Barnum Sessions ... CD Capitol/Kent (UK), 1966. New Copy ... $11.99 16.99
A rare soul treasure – previously unissued work from Little Willie John, cut for Capitol Records by the mighty David Axelrod! The pairing is quite unique, but it's a great one – and if anything, Little Willie John sparkles here even more than on his later King sides – finding a ... (Soul, Blues) read more CD
Ace (UK), 1989/1992. Used 2 CDs ... $4.99
... CD
(Sealed.)
Delmark, 1967/1968. New Copy ... $6.99 12.99
Never-issued material from the sessions for two classic Magic Sam albums – Black Magic and West Side Soul – not alternate tracks or demos, but really great material that stands strongly here as an album on its own! If you know those records, you'll now the raw power here – that ... read more CD
Delmark/P-Vine (Japan), 1967. New Copy ... $14.99 24.99
A classic bit of indie blues from the Chicago scene – featuring some great players from the second generation after Chess Records stopped picking up the younger local talents! Magic Sam leads the group on vocals and guitar, and he's working here with Mighty Joe Young on guitar, Odie Payne on ... read more CD
Also available West Side Soul ... CD 4.99
Delmark, 1967. Used ... $4.99 6.99
A classic bit of indie blues from the Chicago scene – featuring some great players from the second generation after Chess Records stopped picking up the younger local talents! Magic Sam leads the group on vocals and guitar, and he's working here with Mighty Joe Young on guitar, Odie Payne on ... read more CD
Also available West Side Soul ... CD 14.99
Taj Mahal —
Giant Step/Columbia, 1971. Used ... $4.99
... CD
Also available Giant Step/
John Mayall & the Blues Breakers —
70th Birthday Concert ... CD Eagle, 2003. Used 2 CDs ... $5.99
Mississippi Fred McDowell —
I Do Not Play No Rock N Roll (with bonus tracks) ... CD Capitol/Fuel 2000, 1970. Used ... $8.99
An incredible record from Mississippi Fred McDowell – a set that was issued on a big label, but which has a wonderfully rootsy feel throughout – in a way that almost out-does any work from the indie blues labels of the time! The package was put together by Tommy Couch as an early ... read more CD
(Sealed.)
Memphis Jug Band —
Essential ... CD Classic Blues, Late 1920s/Early 1930s. Used 2CD ... $8.99
Includes 36 tracks on 2 CDs. CD
Columbia/Legacy, Mid 30s. Used ... $1.99
... CD
(Out of print, punch through barcode.)
Bluesville/Original Blues Classics, Late 50s/Early 60s. Used ... $5.99
... CD
(Out of print early 90s pressing.)
Riverside, 1961. Used ... $6.99
Blues, but with an undercurrent of New Orleans jazz – no surprise, given the Louisiana roots of Eurreal "Little Brother" Montgomery! The album's a classic set recorded in Chicago in the early 60s – featuring both Montgomery in a spare solo setting, and with help from a small ... read more CD
(Original Blues Classics pressing.)
Essential (France), 1990. Used ... $3.99
... CD
(Out of print.)
Blue Bella, 2016. Used 2 CDs ... $9.99
... CD
(Sleeve has a creased corner.)
Junior Parker —
Collection ... CD Spectrum (UK), Late 50s/1960s/Early 70s. Used ... $4.99
... CD
(Out of print.)
Telarc, 2000. Used ... $1.99
... CD
(Out of print, promotional stamp on CD and name in marker.)
Cicadelic, Late 50s/Early 60s. New Copy ... $4.99 16.99
Raw soul from the second Piano Slim – Willard Burton of Houston, who's heard here on some killer tracks from the start of the 60s! Slim's definitely got some blues in the way he approaches the piano, but the productions here are more soul-based and R&B-styled overall – often in ... (Soul, Blues) read more CD
Strange & Beautiful, 1999. Used ... $16.99
Not a bad little side project from actor/musician John Lurie – who's working here under the guise of a mysterious blues musician! That gimmick is maybe the worst part of the record – as the music is clearly new, and hardly classic blues at all – but if you can get past it, the ... (Rock, Blues) read more CD
(Out of print.)
Rhino, 1950s/1960s. Used 2 CDs ... Just Sold Out!
GNP/Crescendo, 1950s/Early 60s. Used ... $5.99
... CD
(Out of print.)
Vee Jay/Charly (UK), 1957. Used ... $4.99 6.99
A stone classic from Jimmy Reed – and one of the first few albums on the Vee Jay label! The sound is spare, rootsy, and bluesy – the kind of tunes that made Jimmy an instant favorite, and which were a key force in the Chicago blues sound of the 50s. The set features material recorded ... read more CD
(1998 digipak pressing. Cover has light wear and a hype sticker on the front.)
Lula Reed —
Blue & Moody ... CD King, 1958. New Copy ... $7.99 9.98
An incredible late 50s set for King by singer Lula Reed – and a pretty unique blend of R&B and bluer and moodier material – but a lot more upbeat than you'd expect from the title! Lula's voice is a genuine vessel for the bluesy material, but it's also light and lovely, and works ... (Soul, Blues) read more CD
Sherman Robertson & BluesMove —
Guitar Man Live ... CD Moving Music (UK), 2005. Used ... $1.99
... CD
(Sealed.)
Atlantic, 1969. Used ... $7.99
A funky bit of blues from Otis Rush – the guitarist's debut album, and a surprisingly great batch of tracks recorded at Fame Studios! Production is by Mike Bloomfield and Nick Gravenites, who are clearly going for more of a crossover sound than Rick Hall might have given the set – but ... read more CD
Roulette, 1963. Used ... $4.99
One of Jimmy Rushing's last truly great albums – a jazz-tinged session of bluesy material, one that gets at his best work of the 50s! The arrangements are by Al Cohn, and have a fluid swing that pushes Jimmy past cliche – working with players that include Zoot Sims, Budd Johnson, ... (Vocalists, Blues) read more CD
(Out of print.)
Folkways, 1985. New Copy ... $12.99 16.99
An album from the 80s, but one that echoes a much older tradition of folk and blues – with a vibe that hardly fits the dated spelling of the duo's name! Serious Bizness is the team of Jaribu and Ngoma Hill – who harmonize together on some very message-oriented music, in a way that was ... read more CD
(Special limited CD – pressed up for us by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Comes with original cover artwork, and the CD also features a PDF file with the original liner notes and other materials from the original record release.)
Vanguard, Mid 60s. Used ... $6.99
Seminal work by these lesser-knowns from the 60s Windy City scene! CD
(Out of print.)
Vanguard, Late 60s/Early 70s. Used ... $6.99
Silent Partners —
If It's All Night, It's All Right ... CD Antone's, 1989. Used ... Just Sold Out!
... CD
(Out of print, punch through booklet.)
Wolf (Austria), 2006. Used ... $3.99
... CD
(Out of print and sealed.)
