Delta Blues · Genres
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What is delta blues?

The Delta blues is one of the earliest styles of blues music. It originated in the Mississippi Delta, a region of the United States that stretches from Memphis, Tennessee in the north to Vicksburg, Mississippi in the south, the Mississippi River on the west to the Yazoo River on the east.

About delta blues

The Mississippi Delta area is famous both for its fertile soil and its extreme poverty. Guitar and harmonica are the dominant instruments used. The vocal styles range from introspective and soulful to passionate and fiery.

From Last.fm, where 4,570 listeners have tagged music as delta blues.

Artists to start with

  1. Robert Johnson
  2. John Lee Hooker
  3. R.L. Burnside
  4. Mississippi John Hurt
  5. Junior Kimbrough
  6. Skip James
  7. Mississippi Fred McDowell
  8. Son House
  9. Blind Willie Johnson
  10. Lightnin' Hopkins

Albums to hear first

  • King Of The Delta Blues Singers by Robert JohnsonKing Of The Delta Blues SingersRobert Johnson
  • The Complete Recordings by Robert JohnsonThe Complete RecordingsRobert Johnson
  • Founder Of The Delta Blues by Charley PattonFounder Of The Delta BluesCharley Patton
  • Father Of The Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 Sessions by Son HouseFather Of The Delta Blues: The Complete 1965 SessionsSon House
  • You Gotta Move by Mississippi Fred McDowellYou Gotta MoveMississippi Fred McDowell
  • King Of The Electric Blues by Muddy WatersKing Of The Electric BluesMuddy Waters
  • God Knows I Tried by Junior KimbroughGod Knows I TriedJunior Kimbrough
  • The Real Folk Blues by John Lee HookerThe Real Folk BluesJohn Lee Hooker

Delta Blues songs

  1. Death Letter Blues by Son House
  2. Cross Road Blues by Robert Johnson
  3. Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground by Blind Willie Johnson
  4. Me and the Devil Blues by Robert Johnson
  5. You Gotta Move by Mississippi Fred McDowell
  6. Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson
  7. Come on in My Kitchen by Robert Johnson
  8. Terraplane Blues by Robert Johnson
  9. My Home Is In The Delta by Muddy Waters
  10. Goin' Down South by R.L. Burnside

Delta Blues on Risocast

  • Bluesamericana by Keb' Mo'BluesamericanaKeb' Mo' · 2014
  • Live - That Hot Pink Blues Album by Keb' Mo'Live - That Hot Pink Blues AlbumKeb' Mo' · 2016

Neighbouring genres

In the jazz & blues family. All genres

bluescool jazzbossa novaacid jazzblues rockbebopavant-garde jazzchicago bluesdark jazzcountry bluesdesert bluesjazz punk

Questions

What is delta blues?
The Delta blues is one of the earliest styles of blues music. It originated in the Mississippi Delta, a region of the United States that stretches from Memphis, Tennessee in the north to Vicksburg, Mississippi in the south, the Mississippi River on the west to the Yazoo River on the east. The Mississippi Delta area is famous both for its fertile soil and its extreme poverty.
Who are the best-known delta blues artists?
By Last.fm listening: Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, R.L. Burnside, Mississippi John Hurt, Junior Kimbrough and Skip James.
What genres are similar to delta blues?
On Risocast it sits with blues, cool jazz, bossa nova, acid jazz, blues rock and bebop.

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Updated 6 October 2026

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