In my experience, there are no true "audiophile" blues CD's, although there are some blues recordings that have good to very good audio quality. The blues recordings that tend to come closest to "audiophile" quality are those done by smaller acoustic groups. Almost all urban blues (such as Chicago blues) feature amplified guitars which can vary widely in tonal coloration, so it's hard to know if the sound quality is an accurate reflection of the "real thing".
Hence, when I buy blues recordings, my first emphasis is on the music and performance, and secondarily on the recording. All that said, here is a rather eclectic mix of a dozen of the best blues CD's from my collection that I think offer both good performances and good sound:
1. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters: Grateful Heart - Blues & Ballads (Bullseye 9565)
2. Luther Allison: Reckless (Alligator 4849)
3. Blue Rider Trio: Harp, Steel, and Guts (Mapleshade 06932)
4. Cephas & Wiggins: From Richmond to Atlanta (Bullseye 11661-9633-2)
5. Etta James: Seven Year Itch (Island 422-842 655-2)
6. Delbert McClinton: One of the Fortunate Few (Rising Time 53042)
7. Drink Small: Electric Blues Doctor Live! (Mapleshade 01832)
8. Koko Taylor: Force of Nature (Alligator 4817)
9. Ike Turner: Here and Now (Ikon IKOCD8850)
10. Katie Webster: Swamp Boogie Queen (Alligator 4766)
11. Buddy Guy: Damn Right I've Got The Blues (Silvertone 1462-2-J)
12. Jimmie Lee Robinson: ...All My Life (APO 2011)
Hence, when I buy blues recordings, my first emphasis is on the music and performance, and secondarily on the recording. All that said, here is a rather eclectic mix of a dozen of the best blues CD's from my collection that I think offer both good performances and good sound:
1. Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters: Grateful Heart - Blues & Ballads (Bullseye 9565)
2. Luther Allison: Reckless (Alligator 4849)
3. Blue Rider Trio: Harp, Steel, and Guts (Mapleshade 06932)
4. Cephas & Wiggins: From Richmond to Atlanta (Bullseye 11661-9633-2)
5. Etta James: Seven Year Itch (Island 422-842 655-2)
6. Delbert McClinton: One of the Fortunate Few (Rising Time 53042)
7. Drink Small: Electric Blues Doctor Live! (Mapleshade 01832)
8. Koko Taylor: Force of Nature (Alligator 4817)
9. Ike Turner: Here and Now (Ikon IKOCD8850)
10. Katie Webster: Swamp Boogie Queen (Alligator 4766)
11. Buddy Guy: Damn Right I've Got The Blues (Silvertone 1462-2-J)
12. Jimmie Lee Robinson: ...All My Life (APO 2011)