Delving into the Blues

[Josquin des Prez]

I've going through several Blues artist lately, with mixed results. The music is simple enough to border on the banal, but some of those artist have a great feel to their music. So far i've liked Robert Johnson and Magic Sam the most. I've also tried some B.B. King but wasn't impressed, found his music a bit artificial, but then again, i may have simply stumbled upon some of his less inspired works. Got anything to recommend?

[karlhenning]

I've going through several Blues artist lately, with mixed results. The music is simple enough to border on the banal, but some of those artist have a great feel to their music.

Well, then, you are close to the basic epiphany that simplicity itself is no musical handicap.

As to your question, for such a simple musical 'template', there is a rich variety of application out there;  I expect you'll receive quite a range of recommendation.  This fellow is a North Carolina institution:

[Dr. Dread]

Skip James
Son House
Blind Willie McTell
Tampa Red

For starters.

[Joe Barron]

The greatest blues man who ever lived was John Lee Hooker. Try any "best of" album, but be sure it's got "Serves You Right to Suffer" and "I'm Bad (like Jesse James)." He also does a great version of Johnson's "Terraplane Blues."

His son, John Lee Hooker Jr., did a high-octane album called Blues With a Vengeance. Ripping stuff. One of the numbers, "Goin' Down to Baghdad," is a bit dated now that's Saddam is dead, but it's still hilarious, and a little disturbing.

[Franco]

Lightnin' Hopkins

Muddy Waters

[Dr. Dread]

Lightnin' Hopkins

0:)

[SonicMan46]

Well, the 'Blues' is as varied as many other types of music, and you're goin' to just get a bunch of varied recommendations that will likely give you little guidance as to selecting specific recordings that you may like or dislike - 

Just take a look at the Allmusic section on the blues, and 'drill down' to the blues styles, which will give you some idea of the 'wide variety' of this music in this genre; all is interesting but quite varied, so before any specific recommendations can even be made, you must give us some idea of the style(s) that may be of interest to you?

I have hundreds of blues CDs (as many other forum members likely also own) and could simply list a number of them, but if you can be a little more specific as to your interests, then more directed recommendations could be made?

So, please review the listings and tell us which styles, time periods, etc. may be of most interest - will then be glad to make some suggestions - Dave 

[bwv 1080]

For something a little different there is Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure, who grew up listening to John Lee Hooker - sort of an Africa to America and back vibe


http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/y5Nem-PNHLY

[snyprrr]

Danny Gatton, the best unknown guitarist in the world.

Frankly, I got sick of all that braggy "I'm the baddest" blues lyrics of which Hooker got on my nerves the most, though I did like his "I'm Bad like Jesse James."


...little yellow bubbles comin' up...


Elmore James, perhaps?

But I still like Charles Brown.

Albert Collins, Albert King, Wolf, Bobby Bland (for vocals), and how bout some Rory Gallagher for an Irish slant?

[Dr. Dread]

What's the blues news, JdP? 

[karlhenning]

He's got mean things all on his mind . . . .

[drogulus]

     

     This is a little unusual. It features Muddy Waters along with Buddy Guy. It was recorded in 1964. There's a Classic Records 24/96 version out there too.

[KevinP]

I've going through several Blues artist lately, with mixed results. The music is simple enough to border on the banal, but some of those artist have a great feel to their music. So far i've liked Robert Johnson and Magic Sam the most. I've also tried some B.B. King but wasn't impressed, found his music a bit artificial, but then again, i may have simply stumbled upon some of his less inspired works. Got anything to recommend?

I've listened to blues for decades and have never gotten the fuss of B.B.King. I definitely prefer his earlier stuff, but even there, there are so many other artists I'd rather listen to. And I still don't get how you can play on a diamond-studded guitar and call it the blues.

[KevinP]

     

     This is a little unusual. It features Muddy Waters along with Buddy Guy. It was recorded in 1964. There's a Classic Records 24/96 version out there too.

No shortage of audiophile choices fro this title. There's the Mofi, a Hoffman-mastered redbook, an SACD and an HDAD. The HDAD blows them all away (and I have them all except the MoFi).

[jowcol]

Okay-- I'm not going to try to squeeze all of my blues recommendations in one post, but I must confess that by blues and "Classical" collections are about the same size (absurdly huge) and I get about the same level of satisfaction from a good, minor key blues in 12/8 time as I do from a Bach Fugue. 

There are so many flavors of blues, it's like Jazz and Classical-- it's hard to find the right period that scratches your itch.  I'm just going to talk to one school right now, that started in the 50s.

You mentioned Magic Sam-- there is an excellent fraternity of blues artists from the West Side school that had more emphasis on solos, powerful bass and a good 3 on 4 beat.  (I hate plodding 4/4 tempo-- the West side was much more elegant) Similar artists include Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Dawkins, and Luther Allison.

Otis Rush is probably the best in terms of "absolute" music, but had "issues" and an uneven recording career.  He had three consecutive albums in teh mid 70s with a tremendous band.  "Live in Europe" is the best, but "Cold Day in Hell" and "Lost in the Blues" are solid.  The drummer was fantastic.   

Buddy Guy wanders somewhat, but a highlights collection of his Vanguard Years (as well as his work on the Jr. Wells Album Hoodoo Man Blues) is something you should pick up.  The 1979 album "Stone Crazy" was recorded in Europe with few commercial considerations. Oh-- the Rhino Best of Buddy Guy is a great overview. That may be your best first stop, along with a Vanguard compilation.

Luther Allison-- I'd go for the live compilation "Where have You Been" and his Live at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival.  None of his studio albums come close. 

Jimmy Dawkins-- He has a more savage playing style-- I really like a couple  of his live lo-fi albums on the Storyville label, but as a starter, I'd recommend All For Business (it has vocals by Andrew Odom, who actually makes "chords" with his voice.  I have made it a point to collect  EVERYTHING Odom has recorded on.  He is my all time favorite vocalist in ANY genre!)

Oh-- one more thing.  In my book, the single most important musician in the Chicago blues scene was the drummer Fred Below.  Below had more of a formal education, and synthesized his formal/jazz training with the earthiness of the blues, and really evolved the shuffle into a very elegant 12/8 (3 on 4 ) groove with nuance syncopation and a powerful use of space.  He was THE session drummer back then. Although not all of his dates have him playing in his favorite style-- looking for Below has served me well.

You mentioned Magic Sam.  I love him as well, although a lot of his songs sound the same, he had a great bassist (Mac Thompson), and a wonderful tone.  A collection of his Cobra singles is a must.  Next, get the lo-fi Magic Sam live.  Sound isn't the best, but his playing is off the charts.



As far as other musicians/styles-- there is little BB King I like after the mid 60s.  He has gorgeous tone, but doesn't develop his musical material well, and had boring bands. 

I'm sure I'll dump more in.  I've been reluctant to evangelize the blues in this forum, but I'll do it here.  (Bad news-- when you collect blues albums, you need to prepare to wander through a lot of filler.  It's worth it when you find the one or two tracks that can put you in a trance. )

[Josquin des Prez]

What's the blues news, JdP? 

I've been exploring Jazz rather heavily lately, and i stumbled upon the blues by proxy.

[Josquin des Prez]

Okay-- I'm not going to try to squeeze all of my blues recommendations in one post, but I must confess that by blues and "Classical" collections are about the same size (absurdly huge) and I get about the same level of satisfaction from a good, minor key blues in 12/8 time as I do from a Bach Fugue.

Which doesn't mean the Bach fugue isn't greater.

There are so many flavors of blues, it's like Jazz and Classical-- it's hard to find the right period that scratches your itch.  I'm just going to talk to one school right now, that started in the 50s.

You mentioned Magic Sam-- there is an excellent fraternity of blues artists from the West Side school that had more emphasis on solos, powerful bass and a good 3 on 4 beat.  (I hate plodding 4/4 tempo-- the West side was much more elegant) Similar artists include Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Dawkins, and Luther Allison.

Otis Rush is probably the best in terms of "absolute" music, but had "issues" and an uneven recording career.  He had three consecutive albums in teh mid 70s with a tremendous band.  "Live in Europe" is the best, but "Cold Day in Hell" and "Lost in the Blues" are solid.  The drummer was fantastic.   

Buddy Guy wanders somewhat, but a highlights collection of his Vanguard Years (as well as his work on the Jr. Wells Album Hoodoo Man Blues) is something you should pick up.  The 1979 album "Stone Crazy" was recorded in Europe with few commercial considerations. Oh-- the Rhino Best of Buddy Guy is a great overview. That may be your best first stop, along with a Vanguard compilation.

Luther Allison-- I'd go for the live compilation "Where have You Been" and his Live at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival.  None of his studio albums come close. 

Jimmy Dawkins-- He has a more savage playing style-- I really like a couple  of his live lo-fi albums on the Storyville label, but as a starter, I'd recommend All For Business (it has vocals by Andrew Odom, who actually makes "chords" with his voice.  I have made it a point to collect  EVERYTHING Odom has recorded on.  He is my all time favorite vocalist in ANY genre!)

Oh-- one more thing.  In my book, the single most important musician in the Chicago blues scene was the drummer Fred Below.  Below had more of a formal education, and synthesized his formal/jazz training with the earthiness of the blues, and really evolved the shuffle into a very elegant 12/8 (3 on 4 ) groove with nuance syncopation and a powerful use of space.  He was THE session drummer back then. Although not all of his dates have him playing in his favorite style-- looking for Below has served me well.

You mentioned Magic Sam.  I love him as well, although a lot of his songs sound the same, he had a great bassist (Mac Thompson), and a wonderful tone.  A collection of his Cobra singles is a must.  Next, get the lo-fi Magic Sam live.  Sound isn't the best, but his playing is off the charts.



As far as other musicians/styles-- there is little BB King I like after the mid 60s.  He has gorgeous tone, but doesn't develop his musical material well, and had boring bands. 

I'm sure I'll dump more in.  I've been reluctant to evangelize the blues in this forum, but I'll do it here.  (Bad news-- when you collect blues albums, you need to prepare to wander through a lot of filler.  It's worth it when you find the one or two tracks that can put you in a trance. )

Thanks, this is precisely the type of insight i was looking for.

[drogulus]

Okay-- I'm not going to try to squeeze all of my blues recommendations in one post, but I must confess that by blues and "Classical" collections are about the same size (absurdly huge) and I get about the same level of satisfaction from a good, minor key blues in 12/8 time as I do from a Bach Fugue. 

There are so many flavors of blues, it's like Jazz and Classical-- it's hard to find the right period that scratches your itch.  I'm just going to talk to one school right now, that started in the 50s.

You mentioned Magic Sam-- there is an excellent fraternity of blues artists from the West Side school that had more emphasis on solos, powerful bass and a good 3 on 4 beat.  (I hate plodding 4/4 tempo-- the West side was much more elegant) Similar artists include Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Dawkins, and Luther Allison.

Otis Rush is probably the best in terms of "absolute" music, but had "issues" and an uneven recording career.  He had three consecutive albums in teh mid 70s with a tremendous band.  "Live in Europe" is the best, but "Cold Day in Hell" and "Lost in the Blues" are solid.  The drummer was fantastic.   

Buddy Guy wanders somewhat, but a highlights collection of his Vanguard Years (as well as his work on the Jr. Wells Album Hoodoo Man Blues) is something you should pick up.  The 1979 album "Stone Crazy" was recorded in Europe with few commercial considerations. Oh-- the Rhino Best of Buddy Guy is a great overview. That may be your best first stop, along with a Vanguard compilation.

Luther Allison-- I'd go for the live compilation "Where have You Been" and his Live at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival.  None of his studio albums come close. 

Jimmy Dawkins-- He has a more savage playing style-- I really like a couple  of his live lo-fi albums on the Storyville label, but as a starter, I'd recommend All For Business (it has vocals by Andrew Odom, who actually makes "chords" with his voice.  I have made it a point to collect  EVERYTHING Odom has recorded on.  He is my all time favorite vocalist in ANY genre!)

Oh-- one more thing.  In my book, the single most important musician in the Chicago blues scene was the drummer Fred Below.  Below had more of a formal education, and synthesized his formal/jazz training with the earthiness of the blues, and really evolved the shuffle into a very elegant 12/8 (3 on 4 ) groove with nuance syncopation and a powerful use of space.  He was THE session drummer back then. Although not all of his dates have him playing in his favorite style-- looking for Below has served me well.

You mentioned Magic Sam.  I love him as well, although a lot of his songs sound the same, he had a great bassist (Mac Thompson), and a wonderful tone.  A collection of his Cobra singles is a must.  Next, get the lo-fi Magic Sam live.  Sound isn't the best, but his playing is off the charts.



As far as other musicians/styles-- there is little BB King I like after the mid 60s.  He has gorgeous tone, but doesn't develop his musical material well, and had boring bands. 

I'm sure I'll dump more in.  I've been reluctant to evangelize the blues in this forum, but I'll do it here.  (Bad news-- when you collect blues albums, you need to prepare to wander through a lot of filler.  It's worth it when you find the one or two tracks that can put you in a trance. )

     Great post, jowcol. I agree about BB, though I appreciate his guitar work.

[jowcol]

I've been exploring Jazz rather heavily lately, and i stumbled upon the blues by proxy.

I took the same route-- started with Jazz and moved towards blues.  I must admit I have to wade through a LOT of blues, many artists and periods do little for me, but when it works, it has a really powerful impact upon me.  I'd been listening to some pretty complicated/progressive jazz, and blues appealed to me for it's emotive content.  You don't always need technique (although it helps), but a good blues artist really needs to open a vein and expose themselves.  I

I'll offer up some more suggestions in a couple of days. This was just one pocket that had appealed to my needs for some rawness and open emotional content with a little bit of complexity beyond your typical shuffle.

[Dr. Dread]

I took the same route-- started with Jazz and moved towards blues.  I must admit I have to wade through a LOT of blues, many artists and periods do little for me, but when it works, it has a really powerful impact upon me.  I'd been listening to some pretty complicated/progressive jazz, and blues appealed to me for it's emotive content.  You don't always need technique (although it helps), but a good blues artist really needs to open a vein and expose themselves.  I

I'll offer up some more suggestions in a couple of days. This was just one pocket that had appealed to my needs for some rawness and open emotional content with a little bit of complexity beyond your typical shuffle.

Do you listen to any acoustic blues? My favorites are all from that late '20s/early '30s era.