Ry Cooder
Not only did I name my son after him but his records and slide playing really shaped my love for slide guitar and blues.
Otis Rush
Otis is perhaps the most emotive blues singer I’ve ever heard. There is an immediacy in his delivery unlike anyone else. His cover of Willie Dixon’s Double Trouble is a great example of this.
Albert King
The king of the five fret bend left his mark heavily on Stevie Ray and Hendrix and countless others. Cross Cut Saw is a great example of his style although I was a big fan of his Truckload of Lovin’ album as well. I got to see him play a number of times and opened up a show for him when I was 20 years old or so.
Junior Wells
In a way Junior was the James Brown of the blues to me. Great voice with a distinctive sound and killer harp playing. I named my 1st band after his fantastic reared with Buddy Guy called Hoodoo Man Blues.
John Hammond Jr.
This guy is a fantastic acoustic/electric blues player from the east coast of the states. Great voice and great guy. I’m a huge fan. Check out the recording Mileage
Stevie Ray Vaughn
What can you say? The best ever.
Stevie Wonder
Great writer… great player… great singer (under statement). You can learn everything you need to know about singing here.
Jackie Wilson
One of the best singers ever. Some of the material can be a little dated now but his voice remains unchallenged in many ways. The falsetto in particular.
Michael Jackson
He took a lot of heat in his lifetime, but he was/is a great great singer. He had the X quotient big time.
Django Reinhart
Remarkable in every way as a guitarist even without his physical handicap on his playing hand. A Frenchman influenced by American jazz with a strong European flair.
Sam Cooke
Along with Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke had it all. Gravel but sweet voice with amazing dexterity and style.
Muddy Waters
President of the Blues, Muddy had style and class like no other. It was the authority of his delivery that helped him to stand apart from the others.
Websites
Lucinda Williams
one of the coolest women in the world and unbelievable writer and singer with a major twang
Billie Holiday
instantly creates the best vibe going… talk about style
Corinne Bailey Rae
saw her in a little club in Montreal when she first came out…..so good.
The Weepies
great pop tunes and harmonies from these two singers form LA
Sarah Dugas
she is the singer of the Winnipeg band the Duhks. Great voice.
Shelby Lynne
love her pop stuff on her earlier records
Van Morrison
love it all , although enlightenment and astral weeks may be my faves
Pink
don’t love all the songs but I love her voice
Irma Thomas
all her early songs and recordings are great
