Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues
I owned this previously and I am glad to have it again. It will teach about the blues from their inception at the turn of the 20th century to the present day. All the classic songs that were later done by UK acts are here as well. If you can find it used, it is a better bargain because there is a lot here that is "filler not killer" but if you want to get a blues education, buy this collection.

Excellent Synopsis of the Blues
This collection is an excellent synopsis of the Blues from its earliest roots on the rercording medium to modern times. It also shows how far and wide this genre covers in the musical landscape with its influence on rock-and-roll and jazz. Besides having over 115 songs, there is also a companion booklet that documents every track. I really recommend this collection to anyone not familiar with the Blues, because it can be a great starting point for you to expand on an area you find more interesting, like the Kansas City blues in the 30s, Chicago blues in the 50s, or diverse individuals such as Lead Belly, T-Bone Walker, Howlin' Wolf, John Jee Hooker, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Best blues compilation
IMO, this 5-disc set is par none the best blues compilation spanning over 50 years. Not everything noteworthy has been included, but it is the best bang for your buck you're going to find anywhere for a wide blues selection from early to recent, and Marty Scorese did a fantastic job in selection. I have given it as a gift several times and it is the gift that keeps on giving. Some very great tunes.

Raw
This box set compliments the film series very well. Musically, the set is wonderful until the middle half of the fourth disc and wans quite considerably on the fifth disc. This is not only a matter of bad taste in choosing appropriate music for these parts of the set, it is merely a matter of musical history: the blues at the time in which these portions of the set cover was simple not very good music.
These portions would have been much better off if they included work by the likes of Carey Bell or RL Burnside instead of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Cock Rocker of Blues, Stevie Ray Vaughn.

The Best Compilation on Blues Ever Made
One day in early 1968 I bought the album Wheels of Fire by Cream. Cream of course featured Eric Clapton.
I put on the live disc and listened to a song called "Crossroads" and became hooked.
At that time I didnt have a clue who Robert Johnson was or what blues was.
I over the years listened to blues through "White" artists like Eric Clapton, The Allman Bros and others.
One day I broke down and bought a Robert Johnson album and a whole new world was opened up to me.
I had no idea what "Mississippi Delta" blues was compared to "Chicago Blues" etc. For years I have listened to these recordings and was never able to hear the originals.
People like Eric Clapton have changed the arrangements on many of these songs to suit their styles. Now through this recording I am finally able to hear what the song was originally like. I personally love the slide guitar of the Mississippi Delta. I love the "rawness" of those recordings. I am also able to hear the electric side that came from Chicago as blues players migrated there. This Cd has the finest songs by the best blues artists ever.
This set includes Mississippi Fred McDowell, Robert Johnson, Skip James, BB King, Buddy Guy, Maceo Merriweather, Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters, Son House and the list just goes on and on.
It also includes the "White" side of the blues including Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaugh, Bonnie Raitt and many others.
This is a celebration of the blues, and is a must for any collector, or fan of the blues. This CD is for people like me who have listened to the blues for so many years and now want to listen to the real thing.
You will never find a better collection in your lifetime....