As I said in my welcome note in the side bar there... I’m not sure exactly what I’m going to do with this blog. However, trying to express why I want to listen to or play the blues or what the blues means to me seems like a natural place to start.
Some people say that everyone one in the world can remember where they were when they heard that President Kennedy had been shot or that Lady Diana was dead.
Well, I pretty sure I can still remember the first time I heard the blues.
Maybe I can’t... maybe I just think I can, but whichever it is I know I was at home with my Dad, and he was playing through some of his record collection.
He put on one of his old 45s on the turntable and the first few bars of High Heel Sneakers by Tommy Tucker hit me like a ton of bricks and got me headed down the blues road forever.
Blues musicians on Maxwel Street (circa 1980)
Blues is a style music that can lift you up when you are down and it can make you laugh when you feel like crying.
It can make you happy, make you dance, and yes, even cry... sometimes all at the same time.
Some people (who don't know any better) say that the blues brings you down, and that it's sad and depressing, but it's not.
It might sound a bit trite and a very cliché but the blues definitely is a healing music, the blues can be happy music and the blues is the truth.
Now, the only cotton I’ve ever picked is my underwear off the floor, but that shouldn’t preclude me, or anyone, from listen to and playing this music.
Everyone can identify with the blues; it's just that not everyone knows it.
You may be trying to express something about some bad times you had in your life, or that the woman you love has been messing around with another guy and through singing and playing you are healing yourself and trying to perhaps pass on some advice to whoever is listening.
The blues helps us put our troubles into perspective, and lets us know we are not alone.
The blues helps us move on down the line.
The blues makes you feel good... or at least better.
Blues The Healer, as John Lee Hooker put it.
Thanks for taking the trouble to read what is my first post in this new blog.
Hopefully (at least from my perspective) there will be a few more posts on a fairly regular basis.
If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them.
Please also check out the other blogs and web sites listed on the side bar.
If you like the blues, I’m sure you’ll find them interesting.
