What is the best debut blues album ever released?

Every legend had a starting point. These debut albums announced careers that would define the blues for generations. Which debut blues record is the strongest first statement?

Texas Flood

Stevie Ray Vaughan's 1983 debut introduced his blistering guitar tone and soulful vocals to the world, single-handedly reviving mainstream interest in the blues.

1/12

Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton

John Mayall's 1966 'Beano Album' featuring Eric Clapton's virtuosic blues-soaked guitar launched the British blues explosion and Clapton's legendary career.

2/12

Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac's fiery 1968 debut, led by Peter Green's masterful and emotionally raw guitar playing, is among the greatest British blues recordings ever made.

3/12

Hoodoo Man Blues

Junior Wells' 1965 debut on Delmark Records, with Buddy Guy on guitar, is a gritty, genre-defining Chicago blues record that remains essential 60 years later.

4/12

Kingfish

Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram's 2019 debut announced a 20-year-old from Clarksdale, Mississippi as the most exciting new blues voice of his generation.

5/12

Blak and Blu

Gary Clark Jr.'s 2012 major-label debut blended raw Texas blues, R&B, and rock into a critically acclaimed statement of purpose from Austin's most electrifying guitarist.

6/12

Strong Persuader

Robert Cray's breakthrough 1986 album won four Grammys and introduced a new generation of fans to sophisticated, soulful electric blues-rock.

7/12

Keb' Mo'

Keb' Mo's 1994 self-titled debut won a Grammy and introduced an artist equally at home with vintage Delta acoustic blues and contemporary urban soul sounds.

8/12

The Son Seals Blues Band

Son Seals' 1973 debut on Alligator Records announced one of Chicago's most powerful voices and fiercest guitarists, with a raw urgency that stood apart from his peers.

9/12

Lie to Me

Jonny Lang's 1997 debut at just 15 years old stunned the blues world with his soulful vocals and mature guitar playing beyond his years.

10/12

A Man and the Blues

Buddy Guy's 1968 Vanguard album was a full-length showcase for his fiery Chicago guitar style and passionate vocals after years of session work and single releases.

11/12

West Side Soul

Magic Sam's 1967 debut full-length on Delmark Records is considered by many critics to be the greatest Chicago blues album ever recorded, full stop.

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