Various Artists - Essential Blues Anthology (2LP Red Vinyl Set)

Why is the blues such an enduring strand of popular music? Eric Clapton simply called it 'a very powerful drug…I absorbed it totally, and it changed my complete outlook.' The 32 tracks in this collection are an enjoyable history lesson. With tracks such as "I Put A Spell On You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins or Otis Rush's "I Can't Quit You Baby", this compilation demonstrates why this genre, that evolved out of African-American work songs, became the foundation of virtually every mayor American music form of the 20th century.

Disc: 1

1. Smoke Stack Lightning - Howlin' Wolf
2. Every Day I Have The Blues - B.B. King
3. It's My Life - Bobby 'Blue' Bland
4. Messin' Around - Memphis Slim
5. Little Rain - Jimmy Reed
6. Just Your Fool - Little Walter
7. Buzz Me Babe - Slim Harpo
8. Dust My Broom - Elmore James
9. I'm A Man - Bo Diddley
10. Just Make Love To - Me Muddy Waters
11. The Things That I Used To Do - Guitar Slim
12. Trouble, Trouble - Lowell Fulson
13. When My Left Eye Jumps - Buddy Guy
14. Don't Start Me To Talkin' - Sonny Boy Williamson
15. C.C. Rider - Chuck Willis
16. Queen Bee - John Lee Hooker

Disc: 2

1. I'm A King Bee - Slim Harpo
2. I Can't Quit You Baby - Otis Rush
3. Stormy Monday Blues - T
4. Dimples - John Lee Hooker
5. Tell Me Baby - Big Bill Broonzy
6. Rock Me - Muddy Waters
7. I Hear You Knocking - Smiley Lewis
8. Evil - Howlin' Wolf
9. I Put A Spell On You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
10. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters
11. Patrol Blues - Lazy Lester
12. Farther Up The Road - Bobby 'Blue' Bland
13. Blood River Blues - Brownie McGee
14. 24 Hours - Eddie Boyd
15. Keep It To Yourself - Sonny Boy Williamson
16. When The Lights Go Out - Jimmy Witherspoon