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I Need Some Blues

D

DANtheDINOSAUR

Mar 8, 2008
20
0
Milwaukee
#1
I recently moved to Grafton, WI, which I just learned has quite a history in blues. I haven't listened to much blues and since the next blues festival isn't coming around for 2 months. I'm eager to get into the community and haven't given blues much a chance, and don't know of any of the usual bands. So round up your top 3 blues recommendations and I'll give em a hear, please. Since I'm now part of a town with musical history, I'm feeling pretty inspired.

thanks in advance
 
#2
Robet Johnson...the beginning for all practical purposes

Elmore James
T-Bone Walker
Muddy Waters
Albert King
Freddie King
Albert Collins
Wilie Dixon

then more modern

Jimi's Red House was quite a testament of the historic blues dialogue
any SRV.... everything he did

that will keep you in a conversation
 
#3
I'm kind of an ignoramus when it comes to the blues. It's never really been my taste, so I never really studied it much. My only exposure to the blues has been through the Jimi Hendrix "Blues" album. But it's a pretty good introduction. Many of the tunes are blues standards from the historical names. Jimi's the greatest guitarist ever, Mitch Mitchell just might be the greatest drummer ever, and Noel Redding - well, he's not exactly out of place between these 2, let's say that. For a non-blues person, this makes a safe and easy introduction to the different styles and schools, brought to you by a sound you already recognize.
 
#5
Grafton, WI, huh? Well, that's certainly a town steeped in blues history! Quite a few of the top bluesmen and women recorded there, as I'm sure you know. The best place to start is with a fellow who passed through there... Charley Patton. If there was a "Bible of Modern Music," the chapter on Patton might just as well be called Genesis.

Even though you said you're mostly interested in the modern stuff, it'd be good to get an idea of the music's early history... the history that Grafton was a part of. Charley Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson... those are the "Big 3" of Mississippi Delta Blues.

After that, the Blues heads north and finds a home in Chicago... Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson... the "Big 4" there. It's in Chicago where things start heading towards the more modern blues/rock style... this is the stuff that so much classic rock is based on... The Stones, Clapton, Led Zep...

Heading towards, and into, the modern: check out Magic Sam, Junior Wells, Albert King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy... Albert Collins... Bob Margolin... Robert Cray, Johnny Winter...

That should get you started, anyhow...

There are tons of artists, known and lesser-known, that are worth checking out and play a part in the history and progress of blues music.
 
#6
Here's a really important thing about the blues: you must fight the inclination to reduce it all down to just the same old chords over and over. If you hear someone say "It's easy, it's just a blues" that means they aren't really listening. Like, check it: every one of Chuck Berry's songs is totally, completely different, all those guitar intros have some subtle difference. Inexperienced guitar players hear the first three notes of a Chuck Berry song and think it's all the same intro for every song, and that's a great weakness. Now, take that idea with you when you listen to the blues. It's all about the subtle details.

Also, no bassist ever got fired from a blues gig for underplaying.
 
#10
To better understand any style of music, reggae, rock, jazz & blues, I really think it's great to at least check out it's roots, and work up from there.
 

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