When I first got into the blues, I listened a lot to the old masters. Then I checked out a lot to contemporary blues artists, with an emphasis on harmonica players. After that, I listened to guitar greats like BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. The cool thing about music is that there is always more to discover. Here are some of the things I've been listening to/watching lately. I encourage you to check them out.
Sessions for Robert J (Eric Clapton) – Following the success of Eric Clapton's "Me and Mr Johnson," a studio recording of songs by blues legend Robert Johnson, "Slowhand" and his bandmates gathered to record "Sessions for Robert J," a live DVD/CD of Johnson tunes. This isn't a concert performance; it's more like a series of jam sessions featuring "Sweet Home Chicago" and other Johnson standards. The DVD does a good job of capturing the joy of playing the blues. The CD is fantastic, too.
Son of Skip James (Dion DiMucci) – Remember Dion? With his band, the Belmonts, he topped the charts nearly 50 years ago with a string of hits including "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer." After a brief hiatus, he hit the charts again with the pop hit "Abraham, Martin and John." Now he's back with a blues record that is a real delight. A blues record?! The Bronx rock-and-roller, the former teen idol, sings the blues? Yes, and he plays a mean acoustic blues guitar, too. Turns out that Dion has been a huge fan of the blues since the 60s and use to play blues during concert sound checks. Dion is also a committed follower of Christ, and several of the songs reflect that faith. Dion doesn't hide behind an all-stay backing band. Nope. His guitar and vocals are backed only by two others, keys and percussion. Here's a review by the All Music Guide.
Arc Angels (The Arc Angels) – After the death of Stevie Ray Vaughan, his bandmates, Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass) teamed up with Vaughan protégées Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II to form Arc Angels. Their self-titled debut album turned out to be their last as well; competition among Sexton and Bramhall, who shared lead vocal and guitar duties, was just too much. But it's a real winner, a great example of Texas blues at its grittiest. Check out http://www.half.com/ for great prices on used copies, and this review by the All Music Guide.
Crossroads Guitar Festival: 2007 (Eric Clapton and friends) – This DVD is just so much fun. It's an all-day charity concert for the Crossroads drug treatment center. The line-up is really tops: BB King, Stevie Winwood, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, and a host of other blues greats. Check out Susan Tedeschi, a soulful, gritty blues talent who can really belt it out. It's available through Netflix.
Live at the El Mocambo (Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) – The El Mocambo is a small blues club, and this DVD gives you a closer-than-front-row seat. Not only does the late and truly great Stevie Ray Vaughan tear it up, but his backing band, Double Trouble – Chris Layton on drums and Tommy Shannon on bass – is locked and loaded. Check Netflix.
Sessions for Robert J (Eric Clapton) – Following the success of Eric Clapton's "Me and Mr Johnson," a studio recording of songs by blues legend Robert Johnson, "Slowhand" and his bandmates gathered to record "Sessions for Robert J," a live DVD/CD of Johnson tunes. This isn't a concert performance; it's more like a series of jam sessions featuring "Sweet Home Chicago" and other Johnson standards. The DVD does a good job of capturing the joy of playing the blues. The CD is fantastic, too.
Son of Skip James (Dion DiMucci) – Remember Dion? With his band, the Belmonts, he topped the charts nearly 50 years ago with a string of hits including "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer." After a brief hiatus, he hit the charts again with the pop hit "Abraham, Martin and John." Now he's back with a blues record that is a real delight. A blues record?! The Bronx rock-and-roller, the former teen idol, sings the blues? Yes, and he plays a mean acoustic blues guitar, too. Turns out that Dion has been a huge fan of the blues since the 60s and use to play blues during concert sound checks. Dion is also a committed follower of Christ, and several of the songs reflect that faith. Dion doesn't hide behind an all-stay backing band. Nope. His guitar and vocals are backed only by two others, keys and percussion. Here's a review by the All Music Guide.Arc Angels (The Arc Angels) – After the death of Stevie Ray Vaughan, his bandmates, Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass) teamed up with Vaughan protégées Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall II to form Arc Angels. Their self-titled debut album turned out to be their last as well; competition among Sexton and Bramhall, who shared lead vocal and guitar duties, was just too much. But it's a real winner, a great example of Texas blues at its grittiest. Check out http://www.half.com/ for great prices on used copies, and this review by the All Music Guide.
Crossroads Guitar Festival: 2007 (Eric Clapton and friends) – This DVD is just so much fun. It's an all-day charity concert for the Crossroads drug treatment center. The line-up is really tops: BB King, Stevie Winwood, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, and a host of other blues greats. Check out Susan Tedeschi, a soulful, gritty blues talent who can really belt it out. It's available through Netflix.
Live at the El Mocambo (Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) – The El Mocambo is a small blues club, and this DVD gives you a closer-than-front-row seat. Not only does the late and truly great Stevie Ray Vaughan tear it up, but his backing band, Double Trouble – Chris Layton on drums and Tommy Shannon on bass – is locked and loaded. Check Netflix.
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