‘Ball and Chain’ – Etta James, Album – Blues Down Deep Songs by Janis Joplin (1997) TIE ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ – Etta James, Album – Tell Mama (1968)

Both of these songs top my list,because to me, both of these songs embody The Astounding Etta James. They each give me chills.

‘Try A Little Tenderness’ – Otis Redding,  Album – Complete and Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul  (1966)

The smoothest and the most passionate performance from the Great Otis Redding. This recording shows his enormous talent and ability to reach you to the core.

‘I Loves You Porgy’ – Nina Simone, Album – Little Girl Blue (1958) TIE ‘Do I Move You?’ – Nina Simone- Sings The Blues – (1967)

Again a TIE, Nina Simone moves me. I can’t help but tear up when I hear the fragility in her voice communicating to Porgy that she knowingly will be abused by Crown, her drug dealing lover. ‘Do I Move You?’–So Swanky and Swinging. I love the Harmonica intertwined with Nina’s confidence. “Great God O’Mighty, that pleases me” I love the voices in the background saying YES!

‘Maybe’ – Janis Joplin,  Album – I Got Dem ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama (1969)

The opening horn section is so great. I think this song really showcases Janis’ soul with a very melodic performance

‘My Last Two Dollars’ – Johnnie Taylor, Album –  Good Love (1996)

Yummy Groovy Blues by Johnnie. I love the background vocals. The lyrics are classic blues, what to do with your last Two Dollars? Bus Fare and Jukebox, I love it.

‘So Many Roads’ – Otis Rush, Album – Five Star Electric Blues (1975) AND Joe Bonamassa –You and Me (2006)

Otis Rush, the way he quivers his voice at the end of the lines, so cool. And an amazing tangy guitar solo. Joe Bonamassa has a great electric cover of this song

‘Honest I Do’ – Jimmy Reed, Album –  I’m Jimmy Reed (1958)

This Harmonica kills me along side the cascading guitar. My producer also thought it would be great for me to cover and honor the late Jimmy Reed on my Album. The Amazing Harmonica Ace, Charlie McCoy, came to the session and just knocked it out of the park.

‘Crossfire’ –  Stevie Ray Vaughan, Album – In Step  (1989)

The Organ with Stevie’s sizzling guitar mixed with a killer horn section make this one of my favorite SRV songs

‘Billie’s Blues’ – Billie Holiday – B side/ 78rpm /A side Summertime (1936)

This could be easily considered New Orleans Jazz but Billie Holiday’s voice and life transcends genres to real life blues.

‘Stormy Monday Blues’ – Bobby”Blue” Bland,  Album –  Here’s The Man (1962)

I pick Bobby”Blue” Bland’s version of Stormy Monday because of his dripping smooth vocals that escalate into pure hurt. “Lord Have Mercy”

Pete Sargeant