60 Shades of the Deep Blues by 
Mercury 
So for this chart I wanted to give a nice overview of some great, essential deep blues. If you want more discussion and history feel free to check out the corresponding "Genre Extravaganza: DEEP BLUES/COUNTRY BLUES" forum topic. It's really old now so it may be a challenge to uncover it. ; )
Also read books on it. I'd say the best introduction to the story of this amazing music is the book "Deep Blues" by Robert Palmer. It's what I stole the name of this chart from and it's one of my favorite books of any kind.
If you have any recommendations or questions or if you like some particular artist and want to know who/what to check out next - all those things should be made in to comments. And I promise oh get back with you.
Love you beautiful people.
Peace,
Ryan
- Chart updated: 06/12/2022 17:15
- (Created: 05/30/2014 22:56).
- Chart size: 60 albums.
There are 28 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and 60 Shades of the Deep Blues has an average rating of 95 out of 100 (from 61 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
View the complete list of 53,000 charts on BestEverAlbums.com from The Charts page.
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Robert Hicks (Barbecue Bob) is a very notable and impressive early Atlanta blues figure. He was important in establishing and popularizing for the first time the blues in Atlanta. His skills as a slide and 12 string guitarist is on nice display throughout these beautiful (and pretty roughly recorded and worn) recordings.
[First added to this chart: 05/31/2014]
052. (=)
Buy album
- #Sponsored
This is the first Sonny Boy. Not to be confused with the Chicago blues giant who stole his name. This is a little deeper and a great look at the middle point between delta and Chicago blues.
[First added to this chart: 05/31/2014]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank in 1995:
None
Rank in 1990s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
53. (=)
Buy album
- #Sponsored
The term "urban blues" is usually applied to post-World War II blues band music, but one of the forefathers of the genre in its pre-electric format was pianist Leroy Carr. Teamed with the legendary guitarist Scrapper Blackwell in Indianapolis, Carr became one of the top blues stars of his day, composing and recording almost 200 sides during his short lifetime, including such classics as "How Long, How Long," "Prison Bound Blues," "When the Sun Goes Down," and "Blues Before Sunrise." His blues were expressive and evocative, recorded only with piano and guitar, yet as author Sam Charters has noted, Carr was "a city man" whose singing was never as rough or intense as that of the country bluesmen, and as reissue producer Francis Smith put it, "He, perhaps more than any other single artist, was responsible for transforming the rural blues patterns of the '20s into the more city-oriented blues of the '30s."
[First added to this chart: 05/31/2014]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Washboard Sam (born Robert Brown) was the illegitimate son of Frank Broonzy, who also fathered Big Bill Broonzy. He was a popular hokum blues artist who recorded hundreds of records in the late '30s and '40s, usually with singer/guitarist/brother - Big Bill Broonzy. Out of all the washboard players of the era, Sam was the most popular, which was due not only to his washboard talent, but also to his skills as a songwriter, as well as his strong voice. As an accompanist, Sam not only played with Broonzy, but also with bluesmen like Bukka White and Memphis Slim, etc.
[First added to this chart: 05/31/2014]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
A city man with a definite city sound, but he was a great early blues guitarist. Not as filthy and deep as his delta, piedmont, or Texas contemporaries, but his brand of sleek, sexy blues is masterful.
[First added to this chart: 05/31/2014]
Year of Release:
1975
Appears in:
Rank in 1975:
None
Rank in 1970s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
There was absolutely nothing downbeat about this vibrant, effervescent pianist whose lengthy career spanned the pre-war and postwar eras with no interruption whatsoever. Sykes' romping boogies and hilariously risqué lyrics (his double-entendre gems included "Dirty Mother for You," "Ice Cream Freezer," and "Peeping Tom") characterize his monumental contributions to the blues idiom. He was a pioneering piano pounder responsible for the seminal pieces "44 Blues," "Driving Wheel," and "Night Time Is the Right Time." He was fun, virtuosic, and one of my favorite early blues pianists. And he brings a distinctly New Orleans fun-ness and aloofness to this otherwise down and dirty Delta Blues-dominated list.
[First added to this chart: 03/29/2015]
Year of Release:
1988
Appears in:
Rank in 1988:
None
Rank in 1980s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
57. (=)
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Included here cuz this thing contains 2 of the 3 solo recordings of the great Willie Brown. Also gems from Kid Bailey and, of course, early recordings from Son House himself. But, truly HIGHLY recommend anyone who loves blues to listen to "Future Blues" and "M&O Blues" by Willie Brown.
[First added to this chart: 05/31/2014]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
The Anthology of American Folk Music is a six-album compilation released in 1952 by Folkways Records, comprising eighty-four American folk, blues and country music recordings that were originally issued from 1927 to 1932.
This is a classic box set and an important document as well. It features many forgotten sounds and traditions of American folk. It also presents some of the greatest early blues recordings you'll hear. And if it wasn't for this being lovingly compiled and released in the early 50s it's likely the folk blues revival that germinated 5 to 10 years later would not have occurred. For this reason I feel this is essential listening for anyone wanting to hear the deep blues. It's blue volume is golden. As are the other volumes here. It's also downright fascinating to hear what other veins of music were coinciding with the early blues. To see that this amazing history and musical tradition didn't happen spontaneously and in some kind of vacuum. By listening to this you can hear the spirit of all the strange, dusty, old time music and personalities wafting in and out of the various recordings. This really is the one of the essential documents of the old, weird America that Greil Marcus mentions. And if not for this most of my all time favorite music and artists would not be around today. Thanks a million, Harry Smith. You the real MVP. [First added to this chart: 03/28/2015]
This is a classic box set and an important document as well. It features many forgotten sounds and traditions of American folk. It also presents some of the greatest early blues recordings you'll hear. And if it wasn't for this being lovingly compiled and released in the early 50s it's likely the folk blues revival that germinated 5 to 10 years later would not have occurred. For this reason I feel this is essential listening for anyone wanting to hear the deep blues. It's blue volume is golden. As are the other volumes here. It's also downright fascinating to hear what other veins of music were coinciding with the early blues. To see that this amazing history and musical tradition didn't happen spontaneously and in some kind of vacuum. By listening to this you can hear the spirit of all the strange, dusty, old time music and personalities wafting in and out of the various recordings. This really is the one of the essential documents of the old, weird America that Greil Marcus mentions. And if not for this most of my all time favorite music and artists would not be around today. Thanks a million, Harry Smith. You the real MVP. [First added to this chart: 03/28/2015]
Buy album
- #Sponsored
This is a similar project to Harry Smith's Anthology. It's one of the most beautiful documents of the beautiful world of the deep blues, original country, and folk. The blues here feature a lot of religious and Christian undertones. And their is certainly a haunting beauty to all the music, blues and otherwise, contained in this set.
As a great BEAer (and the man who introduced me to the 2 American Primitive sets) put it: "Compiled by John Fahey's Revenant Records with great respect and appreciation, American Primitive is a journey into the raw dusty past of American music. The music is filled with a spirit and vitality that can often be hard to find in today's world." -Meccalecca. [First added to this chart: 03/28/2015]
As a great BEAer (and the man who introduced me to the 2 American Primitive sets) put it: "Compiled by John Fahey's Revenant Records with great respect and appreciation, American Primitive is a journey into the raw dusty past of American music. The music is filled with a spirit and vitality that can often be hard to find in today's world." -Meccalecca. [First added to this chart: 03/28/2015]
Year of Release:
1997
Appears in:
Rank in 1997:
None
Rank in 1990s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album
- #Sponsored
Similar in texture to the other American Primitive set, this one manages to go even deeper. Listening to this is pretty mind blowing. And all that spectral, strange, haunted beauty that is attendant with The Anthology of American Folk Music and the other American Primitive set is here as well. And maybe even more so.
Isn't it just amazing that through the power of music and the primitive technology of recording we can connect with people from a 100+ years ago? Feel the same feelings, hear what they have to say, get their messages? The idea never fails to make me wax poetic and feel deeply thankful to the people who made it go right to go out and record these records, and preserve them, and find them and compile them, etc.
Anyway, this is obviously highly recommended to all you deep blues and country fanatics or fanatics-to-be. [First added to this chart: 03/28/2015]
Isn't it just amazing that through the power of music and the primitive technology of recording we can connect with people from a 100+ years ago? Feel the same feelings, hear what they have to say, get their messages? The idea never fails to make me wax poetic and feel deeply thankful to the people who made it go right to go out and record these records, and preserve them, and find them and compile them, etc.
Anyway, this is obviously highly recommended to all you deep blues and country fanatics or fanatics-to-be. [First added to this chart: 03/28/2015]
Year of Release:
2005
Appears in:
Rank in 2005:
None
Rank in 2000s:
None
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 60. Page 6 of 6
Don't agree with this chart? Create your own from the My Charts page!
60 Shades of the Deep Blues composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 2 | 3% | |
| 1960s | 2 | 3% | |
| 1970s | 7 | 12% | |
| 1980s | 8 | 13% | |
| 1990s | 34 | 57% | |
| 2000s | 6 | 10% | |
| 2010s | 1 | 2% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Various Artists | 4 | 7% | |
| Lead Belly | 1 | 2% | |
| Tampa Red | 1 | 2% | |
| Blind Willie McTell | 1 | 2% | |
| Ishman Bracey & Charley Taylor | 1 | 2% | |
| Son House | 1 | 2% | |
| Bo Carter | 1 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
60 Shades of the Deep Blues chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
| Up 4 from 12th to 8th Steppin' On The Blues by Lonnie Johnson |
| Up 3 from 8th to 5th Ragtime Guitar's Foremost Fingerpicker by Blind Blake (US) |
| Up 2 from 13th to 11th The Original 1928 Recordings by Mississippi John Hurt |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 4 from 2nd to 6th King Of The Country Blues by Blind Lemon Jefferson |
| Down 4 from 9th to 13th The Complete Library Of Congress Sessions 1941-1942 by Son House |
| Down 3 from 7th to 10th Founder Of The Delta Blues by Charley Patton |
60 Shades of the Deep Blues similar charts
- Blues Compilations by
briggs54 (2015) - Best of Best ofs by
Norman Bates (2016) - State Lists: Mississippi by briggs54 (2015)
- Top 40 Greatest Music Albums by Shipyard (2020)
- Blues Albums of the 60's that U must own by Johnnyo (2020)
- Genre Favorites #3: Electric Blues by
NickVolos (2014) - Top 11 Music Albums of 1960 by Mercury (2021)
- Top 11 Music Albums of 1958 by
flamingyesdept (2017) - Top 11 Greatest Music Albums by ln68 (2010)
60 Shades of the Deep Blues similarity to your chart(s)
Not a member? Registering is quick, easy and FREE!
Why register?
Join a passionate community of over 50,000 music fans.- Create & share your own charts.
- Have your say in the overall rankings.
- Post comments in the forums and vote on polls.
- Comment on or rate any album, artist, track or chart.
- Discover new music & improve your music collection.
- Customise the overall chart using a variety of different filters & metrics.
- Create a wishlist of albums.
- Help maintain the BEA database.
- Earn member points and gain access to increasing levels of functionality!
- ... And lots more!
Register now - it only takes a moment!
Other custom charts by Mercury
Bob Dylan Chart by Mercury (2021)My special, boyhood list by
Mercury (2021)1960s Singer/Songwriter Albums by
Mercury (2017)Top 50 1970 Singer/Songwriter Albums by
Mercury (2017)101-200 Albums of 2021 by
Mercury (2022)part 2 of You must listen to the album below you:canon edition by
Mercury (2022)part 1 of You must listen to the album below you:canon edition by
Mercury (2022)2021 Spill Over, One-And-Dones by
Mercury (2021)part 3 of You must listen to the album below you:canon edition by
Mercury (2022)MY METAL 100 by
Mercury (2023)60 Shades of the Deep Blues ratings
95/100 (from 61 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 61 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 85/100  | 09/02/2021 17:55 |  rockbluesfolkjaz | | 87/100 |
| 85/100 | 06/11/2021 14:38 |  Timestarter | | 90/100 |
| 100/100 | 11/08/2020 05:02 | DJENNY | | 100/100 |
| 95/100 | 09/07/2020 16:38 |  arthurbittencour | | 90/100 |
| 100/100 | 03/18/2020 16:21 |  Jameth | | 96/100 |
Rating metrics:
Outliers can be removed when calculating a mean average to dampen the effects of ratings outside the normal distribution. This figure is provided as the trimmed mean. A high standard deviation can be legitimate, but can sometimes indicate 'gaming' is occurring. Consider a simplified example* of an item receiving ratings of 100, 50, & 0. The mean average rating would be 50. However, ratings of 55, 50 & 45 could also result in the same average. The second average might be more trusted because there is more consensus around a particular rating (a lower deviation).
(*In practice, some charts can have several thousand ratings)
This chart is rated in the top 1% of all charts on BestEverAlbums.com. This chart has a Bayesian average rating of 94.9/100, a mean average of 95.5/100, and a trimmed mean (excluding outliers) of 96.4/100. The standard deviation for this chart is 7.2.
Please log in or register if you want to be able to leave a rating
60 Shades of the Deep Blues favourites
Showing latest 20 members who have added this chart as a favourite | Show all 29 members
60 Shades of the Deep Blues comments
Showing latest 10 comments | Show all 28 comments |
Most Helpful First | Newest First | Maximum Rated First |
Longest Comments First
(Only showing comments with -2 votes or higher. You can alter this threshold from your profile page. Manage Profile)
From Mercury 09/07/2020 16:46
Mercury 09/07/2020 16:46
@arthurbittencourt - lol I get it. I love the wild. I am not familiar with a deep delta blues album of his. Pre-war mostly acoustic blues is the center of this chart. I have another chart which I’ve not finished after years of procrastination which is about my fave post WWII mostly electric blues which howlin Wolf is high on cuz he is one of the greats.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
95/100
From arthurbittencourt 09/07/2020 16:38
arthurbittencourt 09/07/2020 16:38
95 / 100 just because no Howlin' Wolf.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From Jameth 03/18/2020 16:37
Jameth 03/18/2020 16:37
Document Records cut their albums straight, which is why they’re so noisy. You can find comps for Tommy Johnson and others which have lower noise levels. Another important example of this is the more recent Centennial Collection for Robert Johnson, which contains all of the tracks found on The Complete Recordings (plus two more), but is much more listenable. Anyways, I thought I’d mention this because it might be better to steer people new to the blues or pre-war recordings towards the lower noise recordings. Or even to post-war tape recordings for those artists that are fortunate enough to have recorded to tape, such as Son House and Blind Willie McTell.
Thanks for helping the cause of the blues with this awesome chart!
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From crimson 12/18/2019 03:49
Man, one of the greatest charts in this site. A loooot to be discovered by the common man in here.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
Boltzmann 12/17/2019 22:05
Boltzmann 12/17/2019 22:05
Damn, my blues doesn't go that deep, but I'm glad someone is willing to take the effort to make such a chart. It wouldn't be bad for me to get educated on blues and see where it overlaps with and how it evolved into rock 'n' roll. My previous efforts have been tiresome and unfruitful (everything is hard to find), maybe your chart will be good guidance.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From Steppenwolf666 12/17/2019 13:22
Very informative. A subject i don't know too much about.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From 
StefanR10 07/05/2019 07:42
StefanR10 07/05/2019 07:42
This comment is beneath your viewing threshold.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | -3 votes (0 helpful | 3 unhelpful)
95/100
From arthurbittencourt 03/08/2019 05:27
arthurbittencourt 03/08/2019 05:27
How old are you my good friend? and how long have you been listening to blues?
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (1 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
100/100
From boppare 01/21/2019 21:16
I thought I knew all there was to know about the Pre-war "deep blues", but this chart just made me add a few albums to my wishlist. Some excellent selections and comments.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
100/100
From 
Jasonconfused 11/15/2018 23:57
Jasonconfused 11/15/2018 23:57
What an undertaking! I'll have to get to work on this immediately.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
Please log in or register if you want to be able to add a comment
Your feedback for 60 Shades of the Deep Blues
Let us know what you think of this chart by adding a comment or assigning a rating below!
If you enjoy our site, please consider supporting us by sparing a few seconds to disable your ad blocker.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
A lot of hard work happens in the background to keep BEA running, and it's especially difficult to do this when we can't pay our hosting fees :(
We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.