Okay, here are the absolutely unscientific results of our Blue Note listeners picks for the best artists and songs from the 20th century’s recorded blues.
The kings of the blues, according to you, are Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, who received an equal number of votes for top artist of the century.
The queen of the blues is Bessie Smith.
In the list that follows, the first few artists had the "highest scores." The remaining artists received no more than one or two votes. Keep in mind, only about 50 people participated in this exercise, so even a mention means something (I just don’t know what). At the very end of the list, you’ll find my picks. (I figured if I subjected you to this exercise, I ought to have go through it, too.)
Honorable Mention Also Mentioned
B.B. King Black Ace, James Cotton,
Memphis Minnie Lightnin’ Hopkins, Johnny Winter,
Big Joe Turner Snooks Eaglin, Albert King,
Ray Charles Leadbelly, Freddie King,
Etta James Jimmy Reed, Big Joe Williams,
Taj Mahal T-Bone Walker, Brownie McGhee,
Willie Dixon Howlin’ Wolf, Mance Lipscomb,
Robert Johnson Ruth Brown, Willie McTell,
Big Bill Broonzy Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, John Hurt,
Bonnie Raitt Johnny Lang, Fred McDowell,
Paul Geremia, Big Mama Thornton,
Ma Rainey, Mama Yancy,
Rory Block, Katie Webster,
Blind Willie Johnson,
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
(with Peter Green/Eric Clapton)
Lightnin' Hopkins, Elmore James, Hound Dog Taylor, John Hammond
Song Citations
(Only a few people sent in specific "song of the century" suggestions. Here’s what I received.)
Billie Holiday – The entire Lady Sings the Blues Carnegie Hall
concert recording.
BB King & Aretha Franklin – The Thrill is Gone
BB King – (without Aretha) The Thrill is Gone
Eric Clapton – Key to the Highway
Powder Blues – Only a Tease
Sapphire – many titles
Janis Joplin – Turtle Blues
Wilson Pickett – It’s Harder Now
Jimmy Johnson – You Don’t Know What Love Is
Albert King – The Sky is Crying
John Lee Hooker – The Healer
Fenton Robinson – Somebody Loan Me a Dime
Albert Collins – Stormy Monday
Allman Brothers – Statesboro Blues
Etta James – If I Can’t Sell It, I’ll Keep Sittin’ On It
John Lee Hooker – Boom Boom
Blind Willie Johnson – It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Honey, Your Husband is Cheating on Us
Ellen’s Picks (I’m cheating: separating male and female to eke out extra choices.)
Male artists: Robert Johnson, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters, Big Bill Broonzy, Taj Mahal
Female artists: Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Memphis Minnie, Rory Block, Koko Taylor
Songs: Come on in My Kitchen, Dust My Broom, Key to the Highway, Statesboro Blues, Juke…
Okay, I apologize. I can’t do this. I look at my list and all I can
think about are the people and songs I left out. I promise to never do
this again…at least not until the turn of the next century.
This page created for the next time capsule on February 1, 2000.