watchnerd
Grand Contributor
Tonight's listening:
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Blues ♫ Music only | ...That you listen now, or recently, or you love...
- Thread starter NorthSky
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Well, I have a special affection for Robert Cray. But of course the "golden age" of blues has passed, just as for jazz. Cray is always going to be something else. He writes great songs (a lot of the time with Richard Cousins, his bass player) in my opinion. There's a great NPR Tiny Desk concert with a few of them, like "Big Old House", "I'm done cryin'". Cray's exceptional talent as a singer and guitar player really shine in that minimalist and rather unforgiving setting. The whole album with those songs is great. "Big Old House" is a serious song about material loss in the aftermath of the financial crisis, a pure blues theme brought into the contemporary period. But Cray and Cousins are also masters of irony, a rare quality. I like Robert Cray's stuff a lot.Robert Cray grew up in a 'comfortable' military family. His blues are copy-cat and styled rather than lived - as are most modern exponents.
I don't mind that but the early artists are of more interest to me, even if the recordings are rough-and-ready.
Having said that, I was turned on to early blues artists through the British bands in the 60s. Stones, Mayall. Animals, etc. and do like modern takes.
I have a few crossroads videos that I much enjoy.
Odetta "Blues Everywhere I Go" is a very good album. Vocals, phrasing and timing, is superb and backing musicians understated and tight.
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. "Groovin' in Grease Land" or "You Asked for It - Live" are good choices. Sensational Harp from Rick and strong, varied guitar from Kid Andersen.
Both are must listen.
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. "Groovin' in Grease Land" or "You Asked for It - Live" are good choices. Sensational Harp from Rick and strong, varied guitar from Kid Andersen.
Both are must listen.
I'm more for the ole school blues artists myself. Growing up and living in Chicago the first 62 years of my life I've been lucky enough to have seen a good portion of the 20th Centruy artists in clubs all over the city. My biggest regret is to never have seen my all time fav blues performer, the one and only Bobby 'Blue' Bland. Any time I'm in the mood for some real blues, his are the recordings I'll reach for first.
I saw Bobby "Blue" Bland at Kimball's in 1991 or 1992. He was fantastic. What a voice.
Lucky dog.