Adam Pfleider's Blog

That's right, above right is an original pressing of the White Album all included with all four photos and poster. Score, right? Well, that along with Hendrix's Are You Experienced?, my favorite classic album collection is about complete.

The record store clerk and I had a conversation about the above Beatles' album, and about how it's blues rock is dead on. Though it's not all the way through, blues is blues is rock and roll. Here are my five favorite classic rock albums, that have a "blues" feel to them. Well, the argument of "blues is rock and roll" is up for discussion here, but let's just rock out.

1) The Beatles' - White Album --- As much as Revolver is my favorite record, the prime cuts from this double LP are incredible. Kicking off with "Back in the U.S.S.R.," and grooving into "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," it comes full circle on the second disc's back to backs of the pop "Sexy Sadie" and guitar driving "Helter Skelter." If you caught Portugal. The Man on their headlining tour last year, you just may have saw a cover of that last one.

2) Led Zeppelin - II --- Many will side with IV (Zoso) on this one, but this album takes the blues riff cake. From "Whole Lotta Love" to the following choruses of "What is and What Should Never Be," the album is chock full of Paige's guitar walk around, but listen closer to John Paul Jones' bass skip funk around as well. When you think it's over, "Ramble On" and "Moby Dick" make for a second half of blue heaven. Sorry Jack White, you've yet to create the feel of this one.

3) Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here --- The title track may as well be the least "blues" thing about this record, but the "acts" of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (especially the jazz fusion second half that would put Omar Rodriguez in a tail spin) are long plays to the short single "Have a Cigar," which is one of the best solos I've ever heard.

4) Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced? --- More than likely, you've heard all the great songs off this one, and even if it doesn't pack the head trip that is Electric Ladyland, the most talked about record from the band lives up to the hype. Ironically, Hendrix's blend of blues didn't settle well in the States when he first started out. Another thing England got by us, but look, they never got Dylan at least.

5) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bayou Country --- I may be a bit biased towards this one based on the title, but it does contain the choice cuts of "Born on the Bayou" and "Proud Mary." CCR blended blues with a country edge that was epic in such a few years. Sure, The Allman Brothers are a close race to which band put it all out in the jam, but CCR just have a slight edge with Tina Turner's cover worship.