What awaits at the top of these few stairs? A home, full of hurt, pain and infidelity? Bland’s own home? The home of his mistress? Why does it look like an office building with distinctive blue square panels?
I used to stare at the cover and marvel at the simplicity that lent itself to different interpretations, while I listened to the misery contained within, all dressed up in smooth deliveries and horn-drenched grooves. And, of course, accompanied by Bland's trademark growls.
Like many other “vintage” artists, I came to the work of Bobby “Blue” Bland through a more contemporary artist. Van Morrison’s live version of “Ain’t Nothin’ You Can Do” made me sit up and take notice of Bland. Shorty thereafter, I picked up “Two Steps from the Blues,” which Rolling Stone’s Record Guide had listed as a 5-star release.
Bland’s death a couple of days ago means there is one less classic blues man, traveling through the juke joints and supper clubs, mostly in the South.
There’s not many left for sure, and there ain’t nothin’ you can do.
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