Robert Johnson and the blues

Robert Johnson was an original blues man. he lived to age 27 in the beginning of the 1900s (1911-1938). Unintentionally, he laid the groundwork for all blues to come.  though quite old-sounding nowadays, his original compositions were unique and advanced to his contemporaries.

he recorded only 29 songs (with some alternate versions, totaling 41 recordings). honestly, most of them sound very similar, starting with the same simple blues riff intro.

one of them was eric clapton's hit, "Crossroads"

i think it's a great kind of music. my favorite.

besides guitar and vocals, other common factors are piano and harmonica. around mid-century,  they added drums

this is my blues list:

artists, 

along with a good blues song of each:

old country blues: 1920-1950

robert johnson (walking blues)

Reverend gary davis (death don't have no mercy)

blind lemon jefferson (penitentiary blues)

charlie patton (a spoonful of blues)

furry lewis (kassie jones part 1)

early electric: 1950-1970

lightnin' hopkins (mojo hand)

john lee hooker (boogie chillen')

howlin' wolf (smokestack lightning)

muddy waters (mannish boy)

little walter (my babe)

electric/eclectic: 1960-1980

taj mahal (stagger lee)

buddy guy (money-that's all i want)

electric blues/rock: 1960-1990

led zeppelin (i can't quit you babe)

jimi hendrix (electric church red house)

allman brothers (one way out)

cream (crossroads)

johnny winter (it's my own fault)

ten years after (i'm going home)