In this post, I’m going to list my top 5 solos to learn the blues. This is a very hard list to make and there is no way I can satisfy everyone. There are so many great blues guitarists that it is really hard to decide on 5 but here I go.
In no particular order, my top 5 Slow Blues/Rock solos to learn are:
- Jimi Hendrix “Red House” The Godfather of Blues-Rock guitar played a mean blues in this cut, which has become a blues rock standard. With his double string bends, and wild reckless abandon, Jimi could play the blues for sure, and this is definitely a favorite of mine. In particular, the version from Live at Winterland is killer. It is a must learn.
- SRV “Tin Pan Alley” You can’t say blues rock and not have SRV brought up. He simply was the epitome of modern blues rock playing. Tin Pan Alley is a killer minor blues, that just reeks of down-and-dirty Texas, lowdown blues. His version from “In The Beginning” is simply amazing!
- Eric Clapton “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” This is one of my favorite slow blues Clapton does. Originally from the Derek and the Dominos album, he also has many different live versions that are great as well. I really like the 24 nights version, which is an excellent album all the way through.
- Duane Allman “Stormy Monday” He is known specifically for his slide guitar playing, but his regular guitar playing was just as good. The solo he does on this song from Live at the Fillmore East is just simply amazing! It really is that good, and is a textbook example of how to tastefully play the blues.
- BB King “Sweet Little Angel” I had to include the King of The Blues. This guy has probably influenced every living guitar player, even if though don’t even know it. The version from “Live at the Regal” is simply awesome! Really cool licks and vibrato. It is a must learn for anybody serious about learning the blues.
Here’s the King of The Blues playing “Sweet Little Angel”. If this music doesn’t touch you, I highly suggest you forget about playing the Blues.
I love all 5 of these recordings. John is right, these are 5 of the greatest blues guitarist ever. I enjoy the feeling and soul they put into their music.
My take is more on solos which I have managed to figure out and not necessarily the best solos of all time:-
1. Just the Blues (Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac & Eddie Boyd)
2. Worry Worry (BB King – Live at The Regal)
3. Have You Ever Loved A Woman? (Eric Clapton – EC Was Ere)
4. Don’t Throw Your Love On Me So Strong (Mike Bloomfield)
5. Blue Jean Blues (ZZ Top)
6. Need Your Love So Bad (Gary Moore)
7. Ride On (Angus Young – AC/DC) Some tasty blues licks there
My favorite blues solos, in no particular order, would be;
1. Jimi Hendrix “Voodoo Chile Slight Return”
2. David Gilmour “Comfortably Numb”
3. Eric Clapton “Badge”
4. SRV “The Sky is Crying”
5. Jimmy Page “Since I’ve Been Lovin’ You” (still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up)
6. Billy Gibbons “Tush”
Just a few of my favorites…
1. Allman Bros/Warren Haynes…..Soul Shine
2. Gary Moore……Still Got the Blues
3. Albert Cummins……Blues Make Me Feel so Good
4 Robben Ford…..Anything
5. Joe Bonamassa….Anything also
1. Little Wing- Derek and the Dominoes with Duane Allman
2. Wind Cries Mary- Jimi Hendrix
3. Hot Lanta- Allman Brothers
4. Dreams- Allman Brothers
5. Angel- Jimi Hendrix
How i can get more bleus lessons
1. Duane Allman Loan Me A Dime
2. Duane Allman Going Down Slow
3. Marc Ford (Black Crowes) Sometimes Salvation
4. Billy Gibbons Just Got Paid
5. Jimi Hendrix Red House
6. Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs
7. Santana Black Magic Woman
8. SRV Texas Flood
9. Jeff Beck People Get Ready
10. Johnny Winter Mad Blues
My favorite blues solos:
1.she’s got the jack ( Mr. Angus young )
2.Red House (Mr. Jimi Hindrix )
3. Mr. SRV (tightrope)
4.Mr. Joe Bonamassa ( Blues Deluxe)
5.Mr. Eric Clapton ( Blues Night – live 1990)
6.Rock Me Baby-(BB KIng/Eric Clapton/Buddy Guy/Jim Vaughn)
7.mystery train (Scotty Moore & Eric Clapton )
8…. and many many more
Very difficult to list five because all the above are really good. Some that I personally like that aren’t listed are: Statesboro Blues, Allman Bros., One Way Out, Allman Bros., Mean Old World Duane Allman and Erik Clapton, Crossroad
Derek and the Dominos, Mr. Banker and, of course, Freebird Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Interesting and simple intro (current music) is on Loser, Beck.
I certainly cannot name my top 5, but I can name 5 that come to me now.
1) SRV – Leave My Girl Alone (In Step) – great tone and a lot of FIRE in this solo
2) Billy F. Gibbons – Blue Jean Blues (Fandango) – very tasty composition and great clean but saturated vintage tone
3) Jimmi Hendrix – Redhouse (Are You Experienced) – Raw and out of control! This is the best example of electric blues!
4) SRV – Lenny (Texas Flood) – the entire song is a masterpiece, solo is very tasteful
5) Eric Clapton – River of Tears (Pilgrim) – not technically stout, but dripping wtih emotion. The ride-out solo has so much tension, and you can just feel his heartache. He can draw that emotion out of you.
Stormy Monday- Greg Alllman
Statesboro Blues – Greg Allman
Blues Power- EC
Wooden Ships- Stephen Stills
Hideaway- Freddie King
Some of my favorites are:
Gary Moore……Still Got the Blues
Bernard Allison….anything he does
SRV…..anything he does
Carlos Santana…..just about anything he does
Matt Thorpe…..just about anything he does
The best solo ever is Gary Moore playing Red House on The Celebration of the Strat.
May be found on You Tube. It is the best, soulful solo I have ever listened to.
SRE, Texas Flood
Hendrix, All along the Watch Tower
Robin, Trower Run with the Wolves
Free, All Right Now
Great list by all of you. I will only list one of my favorites because I don’t see it listed yet,
1. BB King Medley by Duane Allman – Hourglass and Anthology albums. Talk about a solo and awesome playing thru the whole song. Rips you apart along with Gregg’s singing.
Great list by all of you. I will only list one of my favorites because I don’t see it listed yet,
1. BB King Medley by Duane Allman – Hourglass and Anthology albums. Talk about a solo and awesome playing thru the whole song. Rips you apart along with Gregg’s singing.
That’s right, man
I don’t know how many favorite blues & rock soli I have. I’m not going to count them. Say 50 but it must be more. I’m unable to name the 5 favorite of the favorite. I have the favorite of the moment, mostly taken from these 50.
At this time I listen a lot to these, then after it will be few others, and so on. So I regulary rediscover them, few at a time. I think that this way I appreciate them more.
The favorite of the moment, and in no order of preference, are :
1. Blusette. Rainer Ptacek. (slide instrumental)
2. Texas Flood. SRV.
3. Red House. J. Hendrix.
4. Jack of Spades. Mance Lipscomb.
5. John Henry. Mississippi Fred McDowell.
This list could change daily for me. but these are some i have recently listened to.
1. Eric Clapton- Floating Bridge, Early in the morning
2. Eric Clapton / Duane Allman- Mean old world
3. Snooky Pryor- Diggin my patatoes
4. Lightin Hopkins- I’m wild about you baby
5. Lynyrd Skynyrd- Devil in the bottle
John, this list could go on forever. . .
– Texas Flood, SRV
– The Healer, Melvin Taylor (remake)
– Eagleheart, Mato Nanji, Indigenous
– Clapton, Have you ever loved a woman
– Feel So Bad, Derek Trucks Live
That is all my corporate 8-5 brain can come up with right now. . .maybe ask me again when I am in front of my iPod!
I deff bought the pack with two CD
I like all five as well , including SRV Texas Flood Talk about a bad boy with a strat, but then Jimmi was the best…
Many of my faves are already listed. One other tune that’s been in my head since the first time I ever heard it is ‘Dark Eyed Cajun Woman’ from the Doobie Brothers Captain and Me album.
I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case, great info…I will add a backlink and bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!
I’m Out! :)
I’ve recently started listening blues-rock music, the very first song that motivated me is ‘Rough boy’ by ZZ top. Great guitar playing indeed!
I’ll have to check that one out. I don’t think I’ve heard it. Thanks for the comment!
You are welcome! I am sure you’ll like the guitar solo in ‘Rough Boy’. I don’t play guitar but it’s motivating me to grab one. *sigh*
my favourites:
1. Stormy Monday (Allman Bros. Fillmore East 71)
2. Statesboro Blues (Allman Bros. Atlanta Pop Festival 70)
3. Drunken Hearted Boy (Allman Bros./Steve Miller, Fillmore East 71)
4. Sweet Little Sixteen (BB King)
5. How Blue Can You Get (BB King)
Stormy Monday:
Love this stormy monday version; after a few minutes it becomes more jazzy; and duanes solo is just amazing; got that stormy monday lesson download from john – this vid shows perfectly the amazing duane riffs
Statesboro Blues:
Just A Classic I was 18 years old when I heard it – this version is my fav. – Duanes slide riffs are so nasty – omg
Drunken Hearted Boy:
Never on the origin album only on the fillmore concerts – the brothers with steve miller – also an amazing solo by skydog allman
Sweet Little Sixteen:
BB King put the whole soul in his playing and singing!!
How Blue Can You Get:
What A Song; BB and Lucille at his best
SRV, Telephone song, tasty!
on one of creams,live recordings,the solo in sleepy time time,,,i think it was live cream volume,one,,the solo is skilled,slowhand,its killer,his instinted for playing really shines here,i beleave its a firebird thro a marshall amp full upon 11,lol
I have a question… I have a blues mix CD compiled by a very nice guy who is passed away. On it, I am quite sure, is a version of “How Blue Can You Get” dominated by Eric Clapton–he’s singing, and he’s playing the guitar. There are a lot of keyboards in this version as well. I cannot find it on an album anywhere on the internet. If you know what album this is on, would you please post? Thanks, Natelle in San Diego
I have to agree with John on “Sweet Little Angel”, it being the first I learned all the way through. 1.- Eric Clapton- Cream- Crossroads of “Wheels of Fire” 2.- Peter Green w/Fleetwood Mac- Got a Mind To Give Up Living/All Over Now 3.-B.B. King- Sweet Little Angel-“Live at the Regal” 4.-Mick Taylor-Rolling Stones-Can’t You Hear Me Knocking 5.-Dickey Betts, Duane Allman-Allman Bros.Band- ANYTHING!!!!
Great list, i definetly have to agree with both red house and abb’s version of stormy monday. In no particular order of preference my own list is as follows:
1.BB king- thrill is gone, My fav version is one on youtube from montreux, 1993. Im convinced that is the best version of thrill is gone ever.
2. Gary Moore-still got the blues..so much FEELING
3.Duane Allman- stormy monday from abb at filmore east. Duanes solo on this version is great as well.
4. Albert King- “Call it stormy monday” from the live alboum “Wednsday night at the filmore west” My favorite of the 3 blues kings, this rendition of t bone walkers tune is stellar, ladedn with albert’s amazing bends.
5.Jimi Hendrix- “Hear my train a-comin'” from his preformence at Woodstock in august 1969. An amazing jam. he uses just enough of wahwah pedal to give it a really cool sound.
1. Red House, Hendrix, In the West
2. My Own Fault Baby, Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter And Live
3. Since I’ve Been Loving You, Page, Led Zeppelin III
4. Down Now, BB, old from early 60’s
5. Torn Down, Freddie King, Best of….
6. Stormy Monday, Duane Allman, Live at the Fillmore
7. After Hours, Roy Buchanan, Second Album
8. Sweet 16, BB, Live at the Regal
9. Stormy Monday, Albert Collins, Live in Japan
10. Hideaway, Clapton, Bluesbreakers
1. Red House, Hendrix, In the West
2. My Own Fault Baby, Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter And Live
3. Since I’ve Been Loving You, Page, Led Zeppelin III
4. Down Now, BB, old from early 60’s
5. Torn Down, Freddie King, Best of….
6. Stormy Monday, Albert “Frozen Alive” Collins, Live in Japan
7. After Hours, Roy Buchanan, Second Album
8. Sweet 16, BB, Live at the Regal
9. Stormy Monday, Albert Collins, Live in Japan
10. Hideaway, Clapton, Bluesbreakers
i cant pick just 5
SRV – Lenny
SRV – Riviera Paradise
SRV – Little Wing (7 min of pure heaven)
I do enjoy Jimi but personally I think he used to many effects in his later music but his early work is great
I can’t think of any list but my favorite by far is the whole lotta love solo, the fact that it comes in waves that perfectly compliment each other makes it sound so screamingly emotional. And that bend in the middle of the 4th wave is too die for!
I love all the standards from Hendrix, SRV, 3 Kings, Clapton, Sky Dog, etc but here are some of my non traditional “under the radar” favorites In no particular order.
Indigenous:Mato Nanji – “Leaving” from the album “Chasing the Sun”
Blinstone – “Beyond the Purple Sky” from the album “Rise Above”
Ian Moore – “Train Tracks” from the album “Modernday Folklore”
Derek Trucks – “Alright” from the album “Out of the Madness”
Gugun Power Trio – “Soul On Fire” from the album “Solid Ground”
Joe Bonamassa – “New Day Yesterday” from the album “A New Day Yesterday LIVE 12/21/01”
Eric Gales – “Hand Writing On the Wall” from the album “That’s What I Am”
Ty Tabor: King’s X – “Flies and Blue Skies” from the album “Dogman”
Robin Trower – “Sweet Angel” from the album “Living Out Of Time LIVE”
Brian Lucas… I love that song “Sweet Angel” as well as a ton of other hits. I can’t find the tab to it
or even clearly see the fingering off LOOT video. Have you picked it out or tabbed it? If so
can you email it to me please or any link that has it. I really want to get that one going but as you know
since Robin has such long fingers and overlapping thumb it can be difficult to see what’s really under the pads. Since you mentioned it here, I thought I’d see if you have it in any way.
Thanks
David
Love your top 5. Think the first three have to be in anyone’s list and best choices from Jimi, SRV and Eric. Yes bb needs to be there but tough to choose a song. But Buddy Guy deserves just as much credit as BB. As for my addition it would be the song that chilled me as a a teenager Pages since I’ve been loving you. Made me fall in love with blues. Luther Allison’s bad love as used to see him play at Zoo bar in Lincoln NB every time came to town
i will be the fly on the wall
;)