Blues You Can Use
>> Monday, June 23, 2008
A few months ago I posted criteria for a mix tape. One of the song selections was "A blues: not a necessarily a blues record but a song that is labelled (something)blues," or, to clean up that filthy disaster of a sentence, a non-blues song with "blues" suspiciously added as a suffix.
Remembering that post and my previously mentioned love for "old things," I spent a weekend looking for "vintage blues sheet music" on eBay, thinking I'd find some Skip James, Big Bill Broonzey or Howlin' Wolf. Instead, I found some these awesome examples of the treasure hunt above:
"I'm Sorry I Ain't Got It You Could Have It If I Had It Blues"
"Take 'Em to the Door (That's All There Is, There Ain't No More)"
"Dangerous Blues"
Fun, fun stuff currently falling off my apartment walls on a regular basis. I'm eyeing up a couple more, but these take the cake for silliness out of everything I've seen.
And this posts question: what's your favorite non-blues "blues" song? I'll make a preliminary list of my own:
- "Bell Bottom Blues" -- Derek & the Dominoes
Overwrought, or overwrawesome? I have a love/hate relationship with Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, but this tune is one its most redeeming moments. - "Come and Go Blues" -- The Allman Brothers Band
A gem of a song from a gem of a record. If I were king of the world and could decree that Chuck Leavell play piano in every band, I would. - "Elvis Presley Blues" -- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
The melody will get stuck in your head for days on end, and the harmonies will make you wish you had someone to obsess along with. - "Strong Man Holler" -- Big Bill Morganfield w/ Taj Mahal
This one is a total cheat since it's actually a blues song with the word "blues" stripped from it, but it's an amazing tune that used to kick off the Blues Show on my campus radio station. The stabbing, unnerving guitar riff was a better way to start my day than Raisin Bran.
I'm not even touching Dylan's output of "blues" songs, because that's a list unto itself.
So everybody else pony up (but please, don't cowboy up...I've had it up to here with people cowboying up). I want at least two songs from each of you, por favor.
6 comments:
1. The entire album "Wolverine Blues" by Entombed. Released in 1993, this is one of the best and most influential metal/hardcore records to date. Most heavy music today rips this album off so much it's not really funny (whether the bands know it or not).
2.) "This is the Blues" by The Minor Times. This song just rules. An epic and inspired piece of music. A wonderful blend of electronic ambience and sternum-crushing force.
and in an unprecedented move, I will endorse a THIRD nomination:
3.) "Young Man Blues" by Modern Life Is War. An ultimately classic hardcore anthem for the punk-rock working class. Definitely worthy of a third pick - this song deserves mention anywhere.
Why do you have to approve our comments? what you you have to hide, poophole?
"abattoir blues" by nick cave and the bad seeds
"roadhouse blues" by ministry.
you're welcome.
because assholes like me would post 50 comments saying "poopy blues" and think it's funny.
1. "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues" by Elton John is my Karaoke song. (Pray you never have to hear me sing this. I have a voice that could break glass.)
2. "Aint Gonna Bump No Mo (With no Big Fat Woman)" by Joe Tex. It's not really blues, but it's a soul/disco hybrid. And that's about as close as I get these days.
Seventeen years old? Sheesh, these blues men are lecherous.
Since you cheated, I'm gonna cheat, and cite my favorite blues songs that DON'T have "blues" in the title.
Sinner's Prayer - Ray Charles
If You Want me to Love You - Asylum St. Spankers
Women Be Wise - Bonnie Raitt
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