So Gary, this is what 'the Blues' sounds like (at least from my perspective). If the lyrics make you uncomfortable, just tune them out and listen to Rico McFarland's incredible guitar playing. You should listen with either headphones or good monitors. Also, check out the VERY appreciative audience at the end of the video. I always cringe when I hear el crappo labeled as "Blues". BTW, this video is for 'musical educational value' only (ie. not a political statement). If you truly like the blues, you'll like this.
Thanks Gary. Also, notice how Lucky uses the Hammond organ, much like gospel church organist do, to punctuate, add body, create suspense, build tension, and just generally lay a foundation for the entire thing. I don't think any other single instrument does this quite as well, especially in this genre'. Damn, I love that 'B3' sound . Also, when you hear that real Rhodes, it makes you go back and re-evaluate that digitally generated one you THOUGHT you liked . I know that time (and technology) moves on, but boy-oh-boy, those old instruments sure sound good. I really think they did (and DO) inspine the guys that play them.
I agree, Chas. Hard to beat those old instruments, and when I was playing guitar, I loved my tube amp sound a lot more than my high tech amp that I later purchased. Those were the days.
Chas, obviously, I'm not a blues aficionato. What I know about blues you could write on the head of a match and have enough room to write the National Anthem as well. I watched that you tube video three times, I enjoyed it all three times, but my impression remains the same. To me, it sounds more like Black gospel than the blues that I know. For me, Eric Clapton's Hoochie Coochie Man is the kind of blues that I tend to enjoy the most. And, I have performed this song on numerous occasions and my audiences loved it. Am I wrong in my assessment of blues?
Gary, there's no such thing as wrong. It's true that there are many similarities between Black gospel and the type of traditional southern blues usually associated with Black musicians (note that 'Black' is normally capitalized when used to identify race - same with 'White', otherwise it's just a color). As far as Eric Clapton goes, yes, I would certainly consider him a creditable blues performer - but you were asking about the music, not the performer. I believe anyone can play or sing the blues, but I think those steeped in the culture are likely to sound more authentic. Good blues requires 'soul' and not everybody seems to have it (or even recognize it when they hear it). Joe Cocker, one of my all-time favorite singers (if you can call him a singer), had soul to spare, Pavarotti had soul, Janis Joplin had soul, Maria Callas had soul, James Brown had soul, Ray Charles had soul, Aretha had soul, etc., etc., and the list goes on.
The problem with labels in music is that too many different things are lumped under the same label. A true musicologist could do 5 Phd disertations on 'The Blues' and still only scratch the surface. There are social aspects, historical aspects, musical aspects.....the list goes on. Not a simple definition for it, for sure but I'm heartened by your interest since it's one of my favorite musical forms (when performed at a high level). Because of the cultural makeup of this particular forum, there probably is not much interest here but it, along with an evolutionary form of it, Jazz, ARE considered to be America's only true original art form.
Eric has earned his place in the music business, but he can't touch what Gary played.
The blues was the springboard for many of the early "English Invasion" guys. The blues is what defined Gary.
As always, an articulate and somehow "scarily polite" analysis of a real element in the development of "American" music as we know it by my friend, Chas.
this is what 'the Blues' sounds like (at least from my perspective)....listen to Rico McFarland's incredible guitar playing. I always cringe when I hear el crappo labeled as "Blues". If you truly like the blues, you'll like this. chas
"El crappo" vs the "real" blues. It doesn't get better than this.
I happen to be a blues lover myself. I listen to mostly Chicago blues but this video stopped me dead in my tracks for the whole length of it. Pure music, pure soul, pure craftsmanship coming from both the heart and the gut. This is why good music played with emotion and creativity will never be surpassed by the best arranger players, DJ's, KJ's etc.
This video should be the benchmark by which all performers are measured against no matter what genre. They are today what Joe Cocker was back in the 70s.
This is one of my all-time absolute favorite blues song. I have yet to hear an arranger player play guitar like this. I have yet to hear most bands "play guitar like this" Listen to what he does starting around 04:50.
Luther is one of my favorites. Check out the CD " live in Chicago" Killer live performance. If my wife and I were both off in a Sat. We used to go to Hoboken NJ to an afternoon. (4-7) Blues Jam at a basement bar called Scotland Yard. Fantastic players would come from all over including NYC. I got to sit in if they had a keyboard that day. Big fun. Drink some good beer, hear and play some good music, grab dinner in town and be home by 9:30 ! Perfect days and we miss it.
Luther is one of my favorites. Check out the CD " live in Chicago" Killer live performance.
Hi Bill........thanks for turning me on to this album.
I listened to a good solid 30 minutes. I didn't know Luther Allison was this good and this well-known. He's top-of-the-line Chicago Blues. I'm not sure Stevie Ray, as good as he is, could play guitar like Luther. He really makes that guitar of his work. Another B.B. King with his Lucy
My only suggestion, if I could talk to Luther, would be.....as good as he plays, he needs to break up those guitar solos with another instrument or drums and take more breaks in his guitar licks.
Otherwise I think I'm going to buy that album. One of the best I've heard and I've listened to a lot of Chicago blues guys, probably like yourself.
