Having already done a Substack on great covers, I think it’s time we take a look at the roots of rock and roll. The Blues.
First off, I am no expert on the Blues, but I do understand that almost every great Rock artist of the 20th Century is rooted in the Blues. The Rolling Stones loved the Blues. Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Burden, The Kinks, the list can go on and on. It all stemmed from the blues.
Since, I try not to dig into anything before 1966, I will keep my selections this Friday to songs and albums released after that point and again, this list is not exclusive. I am sure many readers will have songs they think should be added and I am happy to hear your opinions.
I’ll start with Donnie Hathaway’s version of “I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know” . The pain and love in this version is very powerful and while Blood Sweat and Tears did the original version (it is great as well) I like Hathaway’s soul better. This is a song that proves that the Blues is about pain and heartache and that transends generations. BTW, Amy Winehouse does a killer version as well.
This will be a first, I can’t pick any one song by Stevie Ray Vaughn so I will put everyone of them on this list. He was a talent like no other and his guitar playing was unparalleled in modern music. I have listened to SRV for over 30 years and I honestly can’t find a weak song in anything he ever recorded, live or otherwise.
Without a doubt, Eric Clapton is probably still one of the greatest blues guitarists alive today but my pick is one in which he doesn’t even play guitar. “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” is one of those songs that if you listen to it a few times, you will really appreciate Eric Clapton’s love for the blues. The piano is a Fats Waller type of boogie and his vocals are perfect. Hard to find but worth searching for.
Another great blues guitarist was Roy Buchanan. While never the greatest vocalist, he never needed to be. He could play guitar like no one else and he never used any additional components. It was his guitar and his talent and that was all he needed. If I were to pick one song that would exemplify Buchanan and the Blues I would have to say “Roys Bluz”. I’m gonna say that this is the best modern day Blues song ever recorded. Listen to it and tell me different.
Although I have mentioned this song before I would be a failure if I did not include it here: “Serves You Right To Suffer” by The J.Giels Band is another great blues cover by J.Giels that showed their breadth of talent. It’s a perfect mix of Blues and Rock. Great vocals, Great guitar work and of course, harmonica.
I know that Jeff Beck is not considered a true Blues guitarist but if you dig around in his catalog you will find some gems and as you know Beck can play guitar, so whatever you find will be awesome. I liked “Brush With The Blues” on YouTube. He effortlessly plays a bluesy mashup that is just perfect.
Keeping with Jeff Beck, find Beck, Boggart and Appice’s “Black Cat Moan”. The song was written by legendary Memphis songwriter Don Nix. This version isn’t as bluesy as some others but Beck’s guitar work adds just enough to land it on my list. The only complaint I have is that it’s less than four minutes.
Maybe it’s not truly blues but I think “Don’t Try and Lay No Boogie Woogie On The King of Rock and Roll” by Long John Baldry qualifies, somehow. Maybe it’s too upbeat, too fast moving but it is the Blues. The studio version is better than the live version.
“Voodoo Chile” has been done by dozens of artists over the years and I can honestly say that they are all great. Hendrix, SRV, etc. One of the best versions is by Canadian Guitarist Frank Marino and his band Mahogany Rush. His vocals are dripping in blues and his guitar playing will stand up against anyones.
My last person on this list is David Bromberg. Never taken seriously as a blues artists by critics, I always felt the guy was great. He was funny, knew his genre and played it perfectly. There are plenty of songs to pick from in his catalog but I love “New Lee Highway Blues”. A story about being on the road and how it sucked back in the day. It’s funny, poignant and yes it is definitely the Blues.
Before you all come at me with brooms and burning torches, there are hundreds of great Blues songs released after 1966 and I would love to hear what everyone’s thoughts are. That’s why I right this Friday column, to get more music on my Ipod. Dating myself again.
What, A Roy Buchanan aficionado! You've made my day!