What Do You Think About The Blues

[MudPies]

A simple poll for all to "voice" their opinions.

[The Last Rebel]

Meh. Don't like it, don't hate it. Just meh.

[Pfeister]

LOOOOOOVE the blues.
I'm not much for anything made after the 50's or 60's, especially chicago blues. I feel it lost itself after that point and became kind of... bleh. Just my opinion, though. I really don't like it when middle class guys try to pretend their bluesmen and dress up like SRV or act like Clapton (don't get me started on Clapton). I love the rebelliousness of Robert Johnson and Ledbelly, and the like. Again, only my opinions. I'm not asking for the angry mob treatment... again.

I really love where some new bands are taking blues, like The Black Keys and White Stripes. There's a slow building movement it seems that's trying to revive what real blues is all about. Even if the music is different, it's that bare bones honesty and soul that makes it what it is.

[Funky54]

See thats my confusion. I don't think the White Strips are Blues. Maybe some of it has a blues flavor, but I think its rock. I like Dead Weather and Rocketoures (sp?) much better form Jack, but some of the White stripes I like.

What about bands like MoFro?? I think of them as more soul/rock then blues. I love Mofro especially the Orange Blossoms album. To me thats Otis Reading or Wilson Picket sounding. I dont think of Otis or Picket as Blues. I think of it as cool. Soul/rock.

What I hate is the H A R P solos and ten minute slide crap that looses the audience and ruins the song. What kind of Blues do I hate? I don't get sterotypes. I have friends who call ACDC blues... Dude thats rock, get over it. Not everything is blues. I like some of the Black Keys stuff. I like the texture and tone more than the song structure. I haven't listened enough to know what I like about the Key's. I do find myself clicking next a lot to get to one I really dig.

When Jack White started playing the crapy Sun House record..serious, people like that? They think thats cool?? It may have moved Jack..but Jack's wierd. You seriously gonna say if you saw that dude (before famous) walking around town dressed like that.. you'd wanna hang with him and go drink a sud? I'd cross the street.

I get sick of everyone thinking the Blues is this all knowing begining of sound. Rock is rock period. I want to hear Paige! If wolf played the song I'd be bored and tell him to speed it up and give him a gain pedal. I'd make him plug in and set him next to a Drummer and throw out anyone near him with a harp.

[Funky54]

What do you guys call the blues stuff thats mostly acoustic and lots of harp? Thats the C R A P that has taken over Orlando Fl. All that Sun House stuff? What do you call it so I know what I hate?

I'm bent outta shape just thinking about it. I'm gonna go listen to some Thin Lizzy.

[Pfeister]

Originally Posted by Funky54

See thats my confusion. I don't think the White Strips are Blues. Maybe some of it has a blues flavor, but I think its rock. I like Dead Weather and Rocketoures (sp?) much better form Jack, but some of the White stripes I like.

I actually agree, but I think he has his head in the right place. Most guys that try to be bluesmen don't seem to have a clue. Jack White is playing rock, but, if you hear him play Death Letter Blues live, or anything like that, it'd be hard to deny he's a bluesman. He lets it all go when he plays, not unlike Son House would. It's evolved and aggressive blues and I totally understand why people don't like it, but I think it's where it's heading. It may not be there yet, but I think it's going there.

I think it's interesting that a lot of these bands from my generation like that are from the rust belt (as am I, actually). That's a different conversation, though.

[maccampbells]

Blues has gone the way of Irish folk music. Or will soon.

[Britishampfan]

I like Jack White`s philosophy and he is doing some brave work he is up and coming for something very exciting but alas not a magic boy yet.

[hamstrat]

I voted that I like some of it. To be totally honest most of it bores me to tears. It seems to me it takes a real talent to make it fun and interesting. SRV, B.B. King, Clapton- these guys I've enjoyed seeing and listening to but the local Bluz dudes-no. Same goes for old time acoustic blues guys-sorry but to me they are boring musically and especially lyrically. Now Albert King could sing the phone book and I'd like it! I wish I saw him.

[Britishampfan]

It`s ok kinda tired, same old mid boost sound. The blues needs a new hero to redesign it and make it new again like those guys in the 60`s.

Or that guy in the 60`s Hendrix

[Pfeister]

Originally Posted by britishampfan

Or that guy in the 60`s Hendrix

I truly think the blues would be different today if Hendrix was alive

I think our only hope now is Dan Auerbach. You hear him play live and you know it's something special. Their fan base is growing and the band keeps evolving. I only hope it's contagious.

[Britishampfan]

Originally Posted by Pfeister

I truly think the blues would be different today if Hendrix was alive

I think our only hope now is Dan Auerbach. You hear him play live and you know it's something special. Their fan base is growing and the band keeps evolving. I only hope it's contagious.

I said this on the Plexi Palace " He was Brave enough to be himself."

The new blues hero will have to transcend all that`s been done, dig deep and do something brave.

[airwarrior]

Originally Posted by Pfeister

I truly think the blues would be different today if Hendrix was alive

I think our only hope now is Dan Auerbach. You hear him play live and you know it's something special. Their fan base is growing and the band keeps evolving. I only hope it's contagious.

Dan's a monster. I can't say I love the direction they're going musically right now (though I do like the new album a lot), but just about everything those two do is god damned amazing.

[EricPeterson]

I voted that I like some of it, dislike some of it. It is probably my favorite form of music but there is definitely some of it I dont like.

[dlguitar64]

I LOVE Son House-for me he is the epitome of soul and what the Blues is all about.Thin Lizzy on the other hand puts me to sleep.