Blues is a genre that is deeply rooted in African-American history. Originating from the work songs and spirituals sung by slaves working on plantations, blues is music that speaks to the soul and carries the grievances of the oppressed on its back.
During the early 20th century, blues songwriters carried on the tradition first started by Civil War-era slaves by singing “blue” songs with distinct lyrical motifs and chord progressions. After World War II, the advent of the electric guitar brought with it the beginning of the electric blues movement, carried on by artists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, B.B. King, and many others.
Blues is often characterized by its unique, 12-bar chord progressions, heavy use of improvisation and call and response lyrics. Blues has had a significant impact on other music genres like jazz, rock and R&B. Whether you’re looking for classic blues LPs, electric blues records, delta blues albums, Chicago blues vinyl or modern blues selections, our extensive blues collection will give you ample opportunities to explore the rich history of this influential genre.
