To state the obvious, rock and roll has its roots in the blues. If you listen to many "classic" rock bands - like Led Zep, The Who and the Stones - the influence of the blues is self-evident. The members of both those bands grew up listening to the blues. So, in order "to get back to the roots" of it all, I'd like to ask if anyone enjoys listening to the blues and which artists they like most. Do you like the so- called "[Mississippi] delta blues"? That's where it all began, with the field chants of the slaves. Or do you like the "Chicago blues"? Chicago is where blues music "went electric" by adding the electric guitar, bass, organ and drums. In my estimation, it you include the Mississippi delta blues in the history of the blues, which you really do have to do, then the blues have a history which is easily hundreds of years old, pre-dating the advent of electronic music by many many years. Throwing out just a very few names, I would like to ask who likes Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Big Mama Thorton, Billie Holiday, Bo Didley, Eric Clapton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Blind Willy McTell, Hot Tuna, Fleetwood Mac [in the days before their "Rumors" album they were very much a blues band], George Thoroughgood, John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Lee? And these really are just a few names. Like I said, the blues have an ancient pedigree. So, anybody got a mojo risin' [the word mojo has been traced back to Africa; it refers to a little bag, talisman, or amulet - and it was already in use long before Jim of The Doors fame used it]? Anybody gonna give their love some "jelly roll" tonight?
Who's Got The Blues [C.D.'s and D.V.D.'s]?
by Rapunzel 6 Replies latest jw friends
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Rapunzel
In my previous post, I forgot to mention Robert Johnson, who [it was claimed] sold his soul to "da debil" [Satan] at a crossroads. Actually, crossroads - for some reason that escapes me at the moment - were thought to be evil by their very nature. It's an ancient superstition, but I don't know its origin. Anyway, as everybody knows, preachers and other religious leaders did not like the blues and harangued against it; they were ranting against the evils of the blues long before they did the same against rock and roll. Of course, it's easy to understand why. Blues, to even a greater extent than rock, is permeated with sexuality. It was (is) very much a genre of music associated with bars and brothels.
In this post, I'd also like to mention a few more artists whom people may like: Lighting Hokins, Junior Wells, Johnny Otis, Jay Hawkins, Otis Span, the James Cotton Band and John Mayall.
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gaiagirl
I've heard many of the artists you mentioned, but the absolute best blues song I've ever heard, no kidding, was "Generic Blues" by Weird Al Yankovic. The song is sort of like the distilled essence of every other blues song ever written. Here is a link to a youtube video of the song, enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su9m_eQeWrY
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Rapunzel
Sorry, but people's names just keep coming to my mind, like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix [Hey Joe, Red House, The Wind Cries Mary]. Both died way too soon. I also think of Jerry Lee Lewis. He's often classified as "rockabilly" but his style of piano play is directly within the blues traditon of "honky tonk."
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GentlyFeral
who likes Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Big Mama Thorton, Billie Holiday, Bo Didley, Eric Clapton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Blind Willy McTell, ... John Lee Hooker, Stevie Ray Vaughn...?
Me me me! Also Mojo Buford, B.B. King, Big Bill Broonzy, Clifton Chenier (Cajun, but from Texas, where lots of the Blues soaked in), Leadbelly, Memphis Slim, Rev. James Cleveland ("Get Right Church!"), Rev. Charlie Jackson (more sanctified blues).Mind you, I also listen to mariachi, gypsy brass bands, klezmer, Pharaoh Sanders, Zap Mama...
gently feral
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jaguarbass
I have quite a collection of most of the people you mentioned.
I put all of the blues artist on my ipod so I can listen to it in the gym while I work out.
I prefer the reinterpreters since the 60's. The Yardbirds. Eric Clapton, Canned Heat. ZZ Top.
I would rather listen to electric blues. But I do listen to the roots back to Robert Johnson and all the old recordings. I try not to listen to more than 1 old one per day. Maybe 2 or 3 blues songs per hour.
I listen to all kinds of music. I listen to it from the perspective of performing it in a bar and making money with it. The places and crowds I play to I could probably get away with 1 blues song per set, Thats 4 per night. The standards everyone knows around here are Stormy Monday. Crossroads, Red House, Jesus just left Chicago.
But I guess if you can play those 4 you can play all of the other ones. You just change the words.
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bluesbreaker59
I'm a traditional blues HOUND!!! Listening to old Jimmy Reed right now, and I kicked off the morning with Howlin Wolf. I also play in a very busy blues band around Iowa, we play alot of Freddy King stuff, he's my blues guitar god, well Freddy, BB, Hollywood Fats and Albert Collins are all kinda in a big tie.
Another couple recommendations for you: early Fabulous Thunderbirds, Hollywood Fats, James Harman Band, RL Burnside, Freddy King, Albert Collins, Nick Curran, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Bo Ramsey (he's tough to find but WELL worth the effort, his slide will send shivers down your spine), early 70's ZZ Top for some "rockin" blues, and maybe some Roy Buchanan for some fiery telecaster aggression.
Enjoy the listening!!!