Top 10 Jeff Healey Albums

Canadian guitarist Jeff Healey (1966-2008) was a singular talent in the world of blues rock, blending technical brilliance with emotionally resonant songwriting. Blind since the age of one, Healey’s distinctive style of playing, with the guitar flat on his lap, contributed to his unique tone and unorthodox yet supremely tasteful lead work. His brand of feral blues rock and contrasting yet equally brilliant excursions into traditional jazz resonated with fans worldwide, cementing his legacy as one of blues and rock’s finest names.

Throughout his career, Healey demonstrated a fearless and unconventional versatility, shifting effortlessly between genres while staying true to his artistic vision. From his hard-edged blues rock albums to his retro-flavored explorations of traditional jazz, Healey’s discography is packed with great music across the board. Our list highlights some of his finest works, showcasing the different dimensions of his extraordinary talent.

Enjoy!

10. Cover to Cover (1995)

Healey pays homage to his influences with this collection of blues, rock, and soul covers. His incendiary renditions of “Shapes Of Things” and “Stuck in the Middle with You” and the epic take on “ As The Years Go Passing By”  highlight his credentials as a masterful and unique interpreter of the blues.

9. Feel This (1992)

Feel This finds Healey experimenting with a more mainstream, accessible rock attack without abandoning his blues roots. Songs include the blazing rocker “Cruel Little Number”, the rap rock-styled “If You Can’t Feel Anything Else”, and the gorgeous, easy-on-the-ears  “Lost in Your Eyes” demonstrate his ability to craft accessible yet impactful blues rock.

8. Adventures In Jazzland (2004)

A rewarding deep dive into traditional jazz, Adventures in Jazzland captures Healey’s extraordinary talent as both a guitar and trumpet player. Numbers like the soothing “Someday Sweetheart”, the dancing “Mine All Mine” and the mellow “You Brought A New Kind Of Love to Me” exemplify his love for jazz and his ability to excel across diverse musical approaches.

7. Get Me Some (2000)

Get Me Some sees Healey experimenting with contemporary rock textures, adding a meatier edge to his matured blues rock assault.  The album features the biting, indie rock-esque “Which One”, the grungy “Love Is The Answer”, and the brooding heavy blues “Feel Better” blend modern stylings with his signature heartfelt songwriting, delivering a collection that’s both innovative and satisfying for long-time fans.

6. It’s Tight Like That (2006)

It’s Tight Like That marks another of Jeff Healey’s ventures into traditional Dixieland and swing, reflecting the fierce blues rocker’s love for pre-war jazz. The inspired renditions of classics like “Basin Street Blues,” “Sheik of Araby,” and “Someday Sweetheart” are showcases of tasteful trumpet playing, formidable vocals, and meticulously crafted vintage-style arrangements, making the record a true delight for fans of the genre.

5. Mess Of Blues (2008)

A return to Healey’s blues-based roots, the posthumously released Mess Of Blues marked Healey’s first blues rock-focused studio release after almost a decade-long focus on jazz. With interpretations of classic numbers such as “How Blue Can You Get”, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and “Hurricane”,  Healey dives into traditional blues with his usual infectious enthusiasm and technical finesse amped up a notch.

4. Songs From The Road (2009)

Another posthumous release, Songs From The Road captures a number of Healey’s explosive live performances during his final years. The mix of blues standards like “Stop Breakin’ Down” and his own classics like “Angel Eyes” is a powerful reminder of his versatility and enduring passion for the genre, while the rendition of The Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post” is possibly Healey’s best vocal performance ever.

3. Hell To Pay (1990)

Hell To Pay, The Jeff Healey Band’s second album, expands on the success of its predecessor with a more polished production and a broader sonic palette. With tracks like the barnburner “Full Circle”, the slick R&B-styled “I Think I Love You Too Much” and an inspired cover of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” it solidified Healey’s vital role in the resurgence of blues rock.

2. Live At Montreux (1999)

Live at Montreux captures Jeff Healey’s incendiary live performances at arguably their peak. His masterful, expansive interpretations of hits like his own “See the Light” and The Beatles’ “Yer Blues” as well as his barn-burning rendition of the Doors’ classic “Roadhouse Blues” paint a vivid picture of the sheer potency of one of blues rock’s finest live performers. 

1. See The Light (1988)

See The Light, Healey’s debut album, catapulted him to blues rock stardom with a blend of instrumental firepower and heartfelt, vulnerable songwriting. Anchored by the exquisite power ballad “Angel Eyes”, the high-octane title track, and the supreme take on ZZ Top’s “Blue Jeans Blues”, it’s a must-listen for those discovering his work.