Essential blues:

A few cds to add to a new collection would be:

BB King: Blues Summit is a great sample of various artists in duets with BB and gives you a taste of others you may like. I think if he sang a reading of the phone book I'd like that too though, so any BB king is the key, but this gives you a glimpse of some others also.

Buddy Guy: Damn Right I got the Blues. One of the best blues albums of the last 25 years. A must. (one of Clapton's favorites too)

Robert Cray: Strong Persuader. Solid work.

Tab Benoit: Nice and Warm. Great Guitar work and outstanding vocalist.

Tommy Castro: Can't Keep A Good Man Down. Great stuff.

Too Slim and the Taildraggers: Tales of Sin and Redemption.

In addition to the list of Legends listed by the Cheez, these are some of the better artists you can still see today (with the possible exception of King as he is slowing down, so if you find an opportunity DO NOT miss him he is the last of the true Legends)

I could add hundreds to this list, but this is a good sample.

Thank you everyone! I have a lot of exploring to do in the itunes store over the next few weeks, lol...

Some of the recommendations should've been no-brainers for me, ie BB King, but I figured there were some lesser-known diamonds y'all could help me sift from the sands. I have a soft spot for music that comes straight from the heart, and I have a feeling I've come to the right place. Aretha Franklin is probably just what the doctor ordered.

Thanks again everyone, and by all means keep them coming!