Recommend Some Blues And R&B Classics

[mrjim123]

I'm forming a new band along with a drummer, saxist/vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist.

So far we're doing relatively obscure songs by BB King, Paul Butterfield, Ray Charles, Bobby Blue Bland, etc.

Classic rock translates into gigs in Indiana, so we need to add some more recognizable classic (60's and 70's) "rock" songs, still in the blues and R&B vein, to our song list. Any suggestions?

Edit: I should have mentioned that our style is more laid back, low volume.

[aproud1]

Originally Posted by mrjim123

I'm forming a new band along with a drummer, saxist/vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist.

So far we're doing relatively obscure songs by BB King, Paul Butterfield, Ray Charles, Bobby Blue Bland, etc.

Classic rock translates into gigs in Indiana, so we need to add some more recognizable classic (60's and 70's) "rock" songs, still in the blues and R&B vein, to our song list. Any suggestions?

Check out Deguello by ZZ Top, Bridge of Sighs by Robin Trower, Truth by Jeff Beck and some Cream should get you there.

[woodsideh]

The Thrill is Gone - BB
Jesus Just Left Chicago - ZZ
Statesboro Blues - ABB version

Throw in some other ABB like Whipping Post or One Way Out.

[BluesWalker]

Some stuff Classic Rock Fans should recognize

I'm Tore Down - Eric Clapton/Freddie King
A Fool for your Stockings - ZZ Top
Arrested While Driving Blind - ZZ Top
Messin' With the Kid - Junior Wells/Blues Brothers
Sweet Home Chicago - Blues Brothers/Eric Clapton/Lonnie Brooks
Green Onions - Booker T and the MGs
Pride and Joy - SRV
Further Up the Road - Bobby Blue Bland/Eric Clapton
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl

[Crunktacular]

You can't go wrong with anything by Stevie Ray. Cream, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers are good. Sprinkle in a little Hendrix for good measure. Also, every blues rock cover band has a few Allman brothers tunes up their sleeves.

[jerry]

It's always cool to dig through the Otis Redding/ Wilson Pickett canon for gems people recognize like Hard To Handle, Funky Broadway etc.

[Bluesy Soul]

Having played these styles of music for 40+ years, I would bet that "dance-ability" is as important as recognition. I agree with most of the blues standards listed above and would suggest the following dance monsters from Classic Soul:

In the Midnight Hour - Wilson Picket
Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd
Turn On Your Love Light - Bobby "Blue" Bland
Can't Help Myself - The Four Tops
My Girl - The Temptation
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Get Ready - The Temptations/Rare Earth
Mickey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
I Want You Back - The Jackson Five

Good luck!

[Shakin-Slim]

Some John Lee Hooker, like Boom Boom, Shake It Up Baby, You're Wrong etc. Definitely agree with some Cream. What about some classic Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac

[mrjim123]

Originally Posted by Bluesy Soul

Having played these styles of music for 40+ years, I would bet that "dance-ability" is as important as recognition. I agree with most of the blues standards listed above and would suggest the following dance monsters from Classic Soul:

In the Midnight Hour - Wilson Picket
Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd
Turn On Your Love Light - Bobby "Blue" Bland
Can't Help Myself - The Four Tops
My Girl - The Temptation
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations
I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Get Ready - The Temptations/Rare Earth
Mickey's Monkey - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
I Want You Back - The Jackson Five

Good luck!

Thanks! These are real close to what I'm looking for.

[guitardefector]

How can we forget my homeboys: "Truckin'" by the Grateful Dead??

[Gearhead43]

Anything by The Meters seems to go over well. Maybe some JBs stuff (James Brown's band).

[tjmdetroit]

Heatwave - Martha & the Vandellas
Baby what you want me to do - Jimmy Reed or Etta James
I wish - Stevie Wonder
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Stay - Maurice Williams
Walkin the Dog - Rufus Thomas
Cool Jerk - The Capitols
Take me to the river - Al Green
Devil with the blue dress - Mitch Ryder and the DETROIT WHEELS.

[mrjim123]

bump

[aus_bass]

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

. What about some classic Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac

This. Well worth checking out.

[CapnSev]

Albert King's Stax years are an awesome mesh of blues and R&B, as is James Cotton. Go pick up King's "Funky London" album for starters.

[mrjim123]

Originally Posted by aus_bass

This. Well worth checking out.

Thanks, man. We're already doing Black Magic Woman, which I found out only recently was written by Peter Green. FM junkie that I was, it's hard to get the Santana version out of my head.

[Stumbo]

~Sixties
Essential 60's songs

[The Owl]

Double Crossing Time - John Mayall
Hideaway - Freddie King

BB King's "Live At Cook County Jail" album is a classic!

Boz Scaggs self-titled debut album is great too with classics like "Someone Loan Me A Dime" and "Waiting For A Train"

[jerry]

Originally Posted by The Owl

Boz Scaggs self-titled debut album is great too with classics like "Someone Loan Me A Dime" and "Waiting For A Train"

+1, also add Running Blue as cool shuffle with some different changes.

[michael_atw]

Anything from Chicago, Steely Dan, or John Lennon.