VellaJ
So... I've taken a bit of an interest in playing the blues recently, which is quite a change from my regular rock preferences. So I figured I'd like to listen to some inspiring stuff... Any suggestions out there?
I'm not a big fan of the "My momma hates me and someone ran over my cat" sad stuff. I'm looking more for the slightly upbeat stuff. I've got hold of the "B.B. King - King of the Blues" CD collection, and I'm quite enjoying CD 4, which is recorded between 1976 and 1991. Anyone who's familiar with it will know what I'm talking about.
So how about it? I know there are some forumites out there who are big into blues, what are your suggestions?
DaFiz
If you're not entirely familiar with the blues it could be difficult to listen to where the blues came from (black America).
Try instead listening to what the British did to it with their electric guitars in the late 60s early 70s.
Begin with John Mayall and Fleetwood Mac, and I'm sure y'll fall in love with the blues. ?
singemonkey
I have trouble recalling any real blues songs that are anything like those cliches to be honest.
If you're interested from a guitar playing point of view you can't beat the "Beano" album. John Mayall and Eric Clapton from 1965.
Similarly take a listen to one of the first Fleetwood Mac albums.
When it comes to pre white guy blues, I'd say listen to Albert King. Albert King's stuff is very accessible, and he shows how blues guitar is more about feel than about speed or theory. His timing and energy are fantastic - even though he sticks to a few pentatonic major and minor positions.
When you're ready though... Robert Johnson.
Keira-WitherKay
check out people like , robben ford and scott henderson for some more contemporary blues........
BobC
Stevie Ray Vaughan (RIP) is someone you may want to check out.
If you want to see a blues performance of note, see if you can find a DVD of Stevie Ray Vaughan - live at El Mocambo. It's normally pretty cheap these days and you can find it on Kalahari, or at Look and Listen etc. You may also find clips of it on YouTube to help you decide if you want to own a hard copy.
You can't go wrong with one of SRV's greatest hits CDs or even good old Texas Flood. His instrumental rendition of Hendrix's Little Wing is a more than worthy tribute to Jimi's musical genius.
John Mayer may be his own biggest fan but he is an excellent blues guitarist (he knows this though) and his blues set on his double CD - Where the Light Is - is certainly worth a listen.
We also have a local blues prodigy - Dan Patlansky - who you will not regret seeing live. Google his website. Dan even runs blues guitar workshops if you want to learn from a master.
VellaJ
Thanks all...
Yeah I've heard of Fleetwood Mac and Albert King. Who's this Clapton guy? (I make joke, don't lynch me! ?)
I'll certainly take a look at all the others that you guys have put forward. BobC, I forgot to mention my SRV Texas Flood album that i've also had a few listens to :? Awesome stuff indeed...
I now have much to research it appears ?
Bob-Dubery
The British blues boom players - Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Peter Green, Mick Taylor (if you can get hold of the John Mayall albums with Taylor on guitar).
And then the guys that inspired them: Most notably the three kings - BB King, Albert King (key influence on Clapton) and Freddie King - and Muddy Waters.
The blues is not one thing - as you are discovering. If you listen to Robert Johnson, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson etc etc etc you'll find that blues developed with time and that there are different schools of blues.
Don't overlook Hendrix - at his core he was a blues player.
+1 on the "Beano" album.
Early Fleetwood Mac with the fab Peter Green and with Jeremy Spencer on slide covered a lot of blues territory.
dee
One of my favourites, Seasick Steve ?
Also check out Buddy Guy:
DonRoos
Some really good SA Blues include:
Dan Patlansky
Albert Frost (Blues Broers)
Richard Pryor (Boulevard Blues)
Natasha Meister (Natasha Meister Band)
all 4 of these players are Fender endoursed!
Gerald Clark
Wayne Paulie
and several others that I can't recall right now. I believe Boulevard Blues are playing in/near Jhb shortly - try and see them if you can.
Dan Patlansky has to rate as my top SA guitarist right now and you will enjoy his performances if you can attend one. Unfortunately, getting CD's of these guys is not that easy but Take2 and Kalahari can sometimes supply.
Renesongs
I like to see contemporary music like a big old tree with Jazz, Rock and Country big limbs of the tree that all have many branches twigs and leaves. Blues is the trunk of the tree and under the truck are the roots that feeds the tree and the roots spread out across all the continents Europe Africa, Asia, Americas, and so on. Anyhow here are some blues guitarists I think really inspire the blues in me (in no particular order)
Jimmy Hendrix
Johnny Winter
Buddy Guy
BB King
Pete Green
Eric Clapton
Earl King
Freddie King
Lighnin' Hopkins
John Mayer
Joe Bonamassa
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Robert Cray
Mike Bloomfield
Gary Moore
Robert Johnson
Duane Allman
Billy Gibbons
Sonny Landreth
Keb Mo
Derek Trucks
Muddy Waters
Larry Carlton
Appologies to all those I forgot to mention
StefStoep
+1 on Buddy Guy & John Mayer.
Also have a look at Gary Moore and even ZZ Top.
[deleted]
StefStoep wrote
Also have a look at Gary Moore and even ZZ Top.
+1. Gary Moore & ZZ Top rock!
raithza
my favourite blues artist...
DonRoos
DonRoos wrote
...I believe Boulevard Blues are playing in/near Jhb shortly - try and see them if you can.
Appologies,it is Blues Broers that are in Jhb at the moment.Lifted from their facebook page:
Wed 15 June - Tanz Cafe
R80
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165730993491083
Thurs 16 June - Cafe Barcelona
R80
http://www.cafebarcelona.co.za/gigs.html
Fri 17 June - Hogpub Morningside Sandton
R125 for members/R150 for non members
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121240561293844
Sat 18 June - Cherry Grove, Dullstroom
R100
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=215893945099565
DaFiz
If it's a modern take on the blues you want. You absolutely have to listen to Snowy White.
Who in his right mind would dare to name a record album Little Wing? ???
Reinhard
Mike Bloomfield and Al Cooper-Supersession
Any Freddie King
Fleetwood Mac- The 3 Boston tea party discs.
Mayal and clapton's Bluesbreaker album (the Beano Album).
Also the disc Peter Green did with John Mayal (I think it is called A Hard Road).
BB King-Live at the Regal.
Buddy Guy-Ohne Filter.
And I have to mention the original Fleetwood Mac. Peter Green was called the green god for good reason.
Warren
VellaJ wrote
I'm looking more for the slightly upbeat stuff.
If you like up-tempo blues, check out stuff from Matt "Guitar" Murphy and Little Jimmy King.
VellaJ
INFORMATION OVERLOAD! ? I'll be going through this list slowly but surely, so bear with me ? But thanks all! You've been a great help...
@dee: I actually remember seeing Seasick Steve on the Jonathan Ross show. I enjoyed his performance of "Burnin' Up," that's what got me thinking that it's time to expand my repetoire.
deebee
Paul Butterfields' ''East West'' album. Chicago blues at its' finest. Try to find some stuff by the Groundhogs, Tony McFee, ace blues guitarist. Stan Webb of Chicken Shack, excellent stuff, also Stone the Crows, with Maggie Bell on vocals. Champion Jack Duprees' album ''From Chicago to New Orleans'' with some very early Clapton on accoustic guitar, Keef Hartley on drums.
Renesongs
Jees Champion Jack Duprees I have an autographed album of his My dad went to watch him at a club in New York in the 60's
