Right now, onetime pop-rap hitmaker Jack Harlow is on an absolutely historic run of doing silly shit. He made a neo-soul album. He explained that neo-soul album’s existence with an endlessly quotable line that he “got Blacker.” In order to facetiously prove that he knows how to read, he bought books for throngs of strangers. Now, he’s helping sell some augmented-reality nerd glasses that cost $2,195.
Blues rock has produced some of the most influential musicians, unforgettable songs, and iconic guitar performances in music history. Drawing from the deep emotional well of the blues while embracing the power and energy of rock and roll, the genre has remained a favorite among music fans for decades. From the pioneering British blues movement of the 1960s to modern artists who continue to carry the torch, blues rock has consistently delivered albums that stand the test of time.
While every fan could make a compelling case for a different collection of records, certain albums have earned their place as essential listening. Some changed the direction of guitar playing. Others introduced new generations to the genre. A few simply represent blues rock at its absolute best. Whether you’re building a collection from scratch or revisiting old favorites, these are ten blues rock albums every fan should own.
Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign
Before Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, and countless others carried the blues-rock torch, Albert King helped create the blueprint.
Born Under a Bad Sign remains one of the most important albums ever released by a blues artist and a record that would influence generations of guitar players. Backed by Booker T. & the M.G.’s and the Memphis Horns, King delivered a collection of songs that balanced grit, groove, and unforgettable guitar work.
The title track is one of the defining songs of electric blues and remains instantly recognizable nearly six decades after its release. Elsewhere, tracks such as “Crosscut Saw,” “The Hunter,” and “Laundromat Blues” showcase King’s distinctive phrasing and remarkable ability to communicate emotion through his guitar.
What makes the album so essential is its influence. Eric Clapton studied it. Stevie Ray Vaughan borrowed heavily from King’s style. Jimi Hendrix admired him. Gary Moore often cited him as an inspiration. The fingerprints of Born Under a Bad Sign can be found throughout the history of blues rock. Every serious fan of the genre eventually traces the roots back to Albert King, and this album is the perfect place to start.
Jonny Lang – Lie to Me
In the late 1990s, blues rock desperately needed young artists capable of introducing the genre to a new audience. Jonny Lang answered that call in spectacular fashion.
Released when Lang was just sixteen years old, Lie to Me stunned listeners with its maturity and confidence. His guitar playing was already impressive, but what truly separated him from many of his peers was his voice. Lang possessed a gritty, soulful vocal style that sounded decades older than his age.
The title track became a breakout hit and remains one of the defining blues rock songs of its era. Songs such as “Still Rainin’” and his cover of Tinsley Ellis’ “A Quitter Never Wins” further demonstrated his ability to blend contemporary blues rock with traditional influences.
For many younger fans, Lie to Me served as a gateway album. It proved that blues rock wasn’t simply music from a previous generation. It was a living, evolving genre capable of producing new stars. The album still sounds fresh and remains one of the most important blues-rock releases of the 1990s.
The Black Keys – El Camino
Few blues-based albums have reached a mainstream audience as successfully as El Camino.
By the time The Black Keys released the record, the duo had already established themselves as one of rock’s most respected acts. However, El Camino elevated them to an entirely different level. The album’s combination of infectious riffs, memorable hooks, and stripped-down production helped create one of the biggest rock records of the twenty-first century.
“Lonely Boy” became a cultural phenomenon, while songs such as “Gold on the Ceiling” and “Little Black Submarines” further demonstrated the band’s ability to craft songs that connected with both casual listeners and dedicated music fans.
At its core, the album remains deeply rooted in blues traditions. Dan Auerbach’s guitar playing draws heavily from classic blues influences, even as the band pushes the music into a modern context. Rather than simply recreating the past, The Black Keys built upon those foundations and introduced blues-inspired rock to millions of listeners worldwide. For a generation of younger fans, El Camino became their introduction to blues-based rock music.
Free – Fire and Water
Some albums are remembered primarily for a single song. While “All Right Now” remains one of the most recognizable rock songs ever recorded, Fire and Water offers far more than its signature hit.
The album captures Free at the peak of its creative powers. Paul Rodgers delivers one of the finest vocal performances in blues rock history, combining soul, power, and effortless control. Alongside him, guitarist Paul Kossoff created some of the most emotional and expressive guitar work ever recorded. Unlike many guitar heroes of the era, Kossoff rarely relied on speed or flash. His brilliance came from his touch, phrasing, and remarkable vibrato. Every note feels deliberate and emotionally charged.
Songs such as the title track, “Mr. Big,” and “Don’t Say You Love Me” reveal a band that understood the power of restraint. Rather than overwhelming listeners with complexity, Free focused on groove, feel, and songwriting. Fire and Water remains a masterclass in blues rock.
Gary Moore – Still Got the Blues
Few albums have done more to introduce modern audiences to blues music than Gary Moore’s Still Got the Blues.
After finding success in hard rock and metal, Moore returned to his blues roots and created a record that would define the rest of his career. The result was an album that balanced traditional blues influences with contemporary production and soaring guitar work.
The title track remains one of the most emotional guitar performances ever recorded. Moore’s sustain, phrasing, and melodic instincts combine to create a performance that continues to inspire guitar players around the world.
The album also features appearances from blues legends Albert King and Albert Collins, as well as George Harrison. Despite the impressive guest list, Moore remains the focal point throughout. His passion for the music is evident in every note.
For many listeners, Still Got the Blues was the album that sparked a deeper appreciation for blues music. Its influence continues to be felt throughout the blues-rock world today. Joe Bonamassa has notably covered “Midnight Blues.”
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced
It is difficult to overstate the impact of Are You Experienced. When Jimi Hendrix released his debut album, the guitar world changed forever. His revolutionary approach to tone, effects, feedback, and improvisation expanded the possibilities of the instrument in ways that still influence musicians today.
“Purple Haze,” “Fire,” “Foxey Lady,” and “Hey Joe” became instant classics, helping establish Hendrix as one of the most innovative artists in music history. Yet beyond the technical innovations lies a deep connection to the blues.
Hendrix often spoke about the influence of blues musicians on his playing, and those influences are present throughout the album. While the record incorporates elements of psychedelia and hard rock, the blues remains at its foundation.
More than half a century later, Are You Experienced remains one of the most important albums ever released and an essential part of any blues-rock collection.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – Trouble Is…
Few albums did more to bring blues rock back into the mainstream during the 1990s than Trouble Is…. Released in 1997, the record transformed Kenny Wayne Shepherd from a promising young guitarist into one of the genre’s biggest stars.
The album struck a balance between traditional blues influences and radio-friendly songwriting, helping it reach listeners who might never have otherwise explored blues rock. “Blue on Black” became one of the defining songs of the decade. Other notable tracks include, “Slow Ride,” “Somehow, Somewhere, Someway,” and “Everything Is Broken,” which demonstrated Shepherd’s growing confidence as both a guitarist and songwriter.
What made the album particularly important was its timing. Alongside Jonny Lang’s Lie to Me, it helped introduce an entirely new generation to blues rock at a time when the genre was largely absent from mainstream radio. Its success proved there was still a substantial audience for blues-based guitar music.
Nearly thirty years later, Trouble Is… remains one of the most successful and influential blues-rock albums of the modern era, making it an easy choice for any list of essential records.
The Allman Brothers Band – At Fillmore East
Many fans consider At Fillmore East the greatest live album ever recorded. It is difficult to argue otherwise. Captured during a series of performances in New York City, the album showcases The Allman Brothers Band at the height of its powers. Duane Allman and Dickey Betts formed one of the greatest guitar partnerships in rock history, creating a level of musical chemistry that remains virtually unmatched.
The performances of “Statesboro Blues,” “Whipping Post,” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” have become legendary. Each song demonstrates the band’s remarkable ability to balance structure with improvisation, creating performances that feel both spontaneous and purposeful.
Unlike many live albums that merely document a concert, At Fillmore East elevates the material beyond its studio counterparts. The energy, intensity, and musicianship captured on these recordings continue to impress listeners more than fifty years later.
If a blues-rock collection includes only one live album, this should be the one.
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble – Texas Flood
When discussions turn to essential blues-rock albums, Texas Flood is almost always near the top of the list. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s debut album arrived during a period when blues music had largely disappeared from mainstream attention. With one record, Vaughan helped change that.
From the opening moments of “Love Struck Baby,” it becomes clear that listeners are hearing something special. Vaughan’s combination of technical brilliance, emotional intensity, and unmistakable tone immediately set him apart from his contemporaries.
The title track remains one of the defining recordings of modern blues. Meanwhile, songs such as “Pride and Joy” and “Dirty Pool” showcase the chemistry between Vaughan and Double Trouble.
What continues to make Texas Flood so compelling is its authenticity. Vaughan respected the traditions of the blues while bringing enough energy and personality to make the music feel entirely his own.
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers – Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (The Beano Album)
No album on this list has had a greater impact on the development of blues rock than the Beano Album. Released in 1966, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton helped ignite the British blues explosion and changed the course of rock music. Clapton’s guitar tone became legendary almost overnight, inspiring generations of musicians to chase the same sound.
The album features a collection of blues standards and originals performed with remarkable intensity and confidence. “All Your Love,” “Hideaway,” and “Steppin’ Out” showcased a level of guitar playing that few listeners had ever encountered.
What makes the record so important is its influence. The Beano Album helped establish the foundation for the British blues-rock movement that would eventually produce Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Free, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore, and countless others. For fans of the genre, owning the Beano Album isn’t optional. It’s essential.
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As It Is are heading back out on the road in September, and they’ll be stopping off in a whole load of different places around the UK.
With their self-titled album set to arrive on July 17 via FLG, they’ve got a big old tour planned to celebrate.
With support coming from Greywind, the fun will kick off in Torquay, when the band play Burn It Down Festival on September 03.
After that, they’ll be making stops in Wolverhampton, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Norwich, Sheffield, Hull, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin, Blackpool, Oxford, Cardiff, Guildford, Tunbridge Wells & Portsmouth.
That’s an impressive amount of shows, and what’s even more impressive is that tickets for the whole run are only £20 – get yours when they go on sale from 10am BST this Friday (June 19).
Check out all of the dates below.
Rock Sound caught As It Is’ incredible set at Download Festival over the weekend, which marked their first visit to Donington Park in over nine years.
