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Underrated/under appreciated blues artists

#161
BwanaDust said:
I'm just commenting based on my experience. I've played in blues bands on bass and keyboards. I base my comments on what a limited genre it is. The only people who seemed to truly enjoy it were the lead guitarists and habitual drunks in the audience. Before you snap at me, I've also had the experience being in the audience or running sound.

Actually, I did have one great experience backing a local blues guy. Name of Norm Nardini (a Pittsburgh icon). I was asked to back him up (along with his regular drummer). I didn't know any of his tunes and had no charts to fall back on). He was a great entertainer and didn't waste time on lots of poopy blues guitar solos. I remember that I didn't make one mistake the entire night, although that's not difficult as long as you know what key the tune is in.

I enjoyed that night.

I also find three/four chord rock to be boring and most of the players that indulge in it, to be lacking. But that's just me.

However, your comments have shown me the error of my ways. While I will always think of blues and it's direct decedents as lesser music, I shall refrain from offering any criticism of anything, lest I be branded a troll.
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Hi -
I agree with Stumbo that your posting had nothing to do with the OP and was far closer to "trolling " than adding any worthwhile input . While you choose to take offense to some " criticism " of your posts - you continued to demean blues music one last time with your statement that it is " lesser " music . While some blues is indeed simple to play - it is not at all easy to play well . I have heard a ton of blues players [ over the course of 5 decades ] and the ones that can really play it well are not numerous by any stretch . You might want to ponder why Miles Davis called John Lee Hooker " the funkiest man alive " before being so dismissive about the blues . Kelly
 
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#163
BwanaDust said:
I'm so terribly sorry. I didn't realize this was a place of absolutes, with no allowances for dissent. From here on I shall only post positive comments and project positive vibes. I hope you can find it in your bluesy heart to forgive my transgression.
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Many aphorisms come to mind but I’ll just suggest you go participate in a thread where your interest lies. Unless your interest lies in contributing nothing positive and in making yourself unwelcome.
 
#165
Kelly robinson said:
Hi -
I agree with Stumbo that your posting had nothing to do with the OP and was far closer to "trolling " than adding any worthwhile input . While you choose to take offense to some " criticism " of your posts - you continued to demean blues music one last time with your statement that it is " lesser " music . While some blues is indeed simple to play - it is not at all easy to play well . I have heard a ton of blues players [ over the course of 5 decades ] and the ones that can really play it well are not numerous by any stretch . You might want to ponder why Miles Davis called John Lee Hooker " the funkiest man alive " before being so dismissive about the blues . Kelly
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Oh, for Christ's sake Kelly! Don't put words into my mouth. I never said it was "lesser music." The music doesn't bother me as much as the majority of the people who play it exclusively. I didn't say that there are no great blues players. I love John Lee Hooker. His work on Pete Townsend's Iron Man, proved he was no one-trick hack pony like BB King.

You are correct that there are very few who play it well. To the point where they don't bore me to death. But that's not the case where I live. Lots of hacks and less than a handful worth paying the price of admission.

I'm guessing that the only worthwhile input you will accept is complete devotion to the blues. Sorry to disappoint you.
 
#167
BwanaDust said:
Oh, for Christ's sake Kelly! Don't put words into my mouth. I never said it was "lesser music." The music doesn't bother me as much as the majority of the people who play it exclusively. I didn't say that there are no great blues players. I love John Lee Hooker. His work on Pete Townsend's Iron Man, proved he was no one-trick hack pony like BB King.

You are correct that there are very few who play it well. To the point where they don't bore me to death. But that's not the case where I live. Lots of hacks and less than a handful worth paying the price of admission.

I'm guessing that the only worthwhile input you will accept is complete devotion to the blues. Sorry to disappoint you.
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Hi BDust -
Just to refresh your memory - your exact words were " while I will always think of blues music and it's direct descendants as lesser music " - Check your post on page 8 post 154 - it's right there in black and white so I was hardly putting words in your mouth - Certainly I added nothing you hadn't already said . As to my opinion of " worthwhile input " - well , as you would appear to be some form of music educator I would have hoped for more detail and exposition from you other than " BB King is a hack " presumably because he doesn't do " chords " . R.l .Burnside and Jr Kimbrough barely played more than one chord in their trance like blues but other musicians of note like Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Iggy Pop come immediately to mind as huge fans of both players . Somehow Jr's and R.L.'s music was not considered ' lesser " by those folks by any means . As a "music educator " I would think you should consider broadening your horizons . Personally , I like a lot of styles of music and a lot of diverse players - dub reggae dudes like Black Uhuru - Arabic guitarist " Bombino " - African players like Ali Fouka Toure and King Sunny Ade - Fela Kuti and folks like the Bulgarian woman's Choir and Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan - not just blues and it's many variations .
In the end though - if you are not a fan of blues music - that's your choice and I have no problem with that . What I do have an issue with is that you seem to feel it necessary to comment derogatorily , on a thread you readily admit is of no interest to you . Kelly
 
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#168
I recently posted to a thread regarding music suitable for a biker bar. I replied that Johnny Winter drew a loyal two-wheel following to his concerts, especially back when he was very sick and barely conscious on stage, like the time I saw him in 2000 in Chattanooga. I bought my tickets in advance. Good thing: bikers were lined around the block a couple of hours before showtime. Even though his performance speed and precision was diminished (and thankfully he had somewhat of a rebound before passing in 2014), the inked and leathered crowd gave him one of the warmest and loudest responses I’ve ever personally experienced in an audience. They loved him like it was 1970 all over again. I’d like to think that kind of loyalty carried and encouraged him into better days when he finally got himself a manager who cared about his legacy and welfare.

And speaking of bikers, they are not known to be the most politically-correct and cultured demographic. That being said, I’ve never heard of anyone walking into a biker bar to inform them how their lifestyle falls short in the light of a post-modern critique. And I’ve also never heard of Hell’s Angels overtaking a Starbucks....

But I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.

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#178




Here's one for the " blues is only 3 chords crowd". I was told the song was dumbed down chordwise from the original demo/


This cat had a great voice, and a very individual harp style do to hanging out with and playing in horn bands. A fixture on the Houston scene since the 60's.





RIP Tommy


Some other nice tracks:












These cuts were produced by Tony Braunagle and feature players from Bonnie Raitt's band.
 
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#179
5StringBlues said:




Here's one for the " blues is only 3 chords crowd". I was told the song was dumbed down chordwise from the original demo/


This cat had a great voice, and a very individual harp style do to hanging out with and playing in horn bands. A fixture on the Houston scene since the 60's.





RIP Tommy


Some other nice tracks:












These cuts were produced by Tony Braunagle and feature players from Bonnie Raitt's band.
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So many blues albums are being produced by drummers these day, Steve Jordan, Tom Hambridge and Braunagle. Good stuff!
 
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#180
5StringBlues said:


Here's one for the " blues is only 3 chords crowd". I was told the song was dumbed down chordwise from the original demo/


This cat had a great voice, and a very individual harp style do to hanging out with and playing in horn bands. A fixture on the Houston scene since the 60's.





RIP Tommy


Some other nice tracks:












These cuts were produced by Tony Braunagle and feature players from Bonnie Raitt's band.
Click to expand...


WHOA this is incredible. This is the kind of music that gets me excited :cool:

104 monthly listeners on Spotify. Woohoo!
 

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