Bubba po

Here's my experience. The number of pub blues bands doing the rounds in every town in Britain is out of all proportion to the audiences they attract. So what is responsible for their proliferation if no audiences actually like the stuff? I have a theory after talking to a chap in a decent band at the weekend. He told me that he had joined a blues band in addition to his proper band. I asked him "what for? Nobody actually likes that kind of music" and he replied "Well sometimes I just like to wring the guitar's neck". I had to bite my lip to prevent myself from replying "If I was a guitar, I'd want to return the favour". So there you have it. Guitarists who wish to **** off on stage are responsible for Blues bands and it's time for pissed-off audiences to start canning them off the stage. If they wish to satisfy some primal urge to nod one's head gently to the ne-ner ne-ner ne-ner beat then make them do it in their bedrooms with all the other shameful acts.

OllyK

I suspect the romanticism tied up with the "Blues Brothers" film may have something to do with it. Some blues stuff is fine. About the only music I can't abide is C&W.

Bubba po

Here's a random lyric:

"If yew doan wan' me baybehhhhh

Beddah stawp messin wid mah bread".

Why are they so obsessed with their baking? I understand the need for dough to prove properly, but I can't imagine any woman would purposely interfere with the process.

the moose

'The blues' is a massive topic - if it's "woke up this mornin', so poor I couldn'afford ta breathe" de-ner, de-ner, then I fall asleep.

If it's 'the blues' as played by a white Irish fella (stand up Gary Moore, your crimes against music have been recognised) then Morpheus beckons once again.

Should it be R'n'B (by this I don't mean the fetching but startlingly undertalented Beyonce & Co, but Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, basically the cast of the Blues Brothers) then I'm very interested indeed.

unclebuck

Blues is the bedrock, the ABC, upon which all modern pop/rock/soul/dance etc is founded.

Without the Blues there would be no <insert type of music you like here>. It does you good to get back to the basics now and then, just to put everything else into context.

Sbradley

Good blues (while maybe an oxymoron in some ways) is great. Robert Cray, the Blues Band, Nine Below Zero, even, yes, Gary Moore. Even better is good blues played live in small venues. Bands like The Worried Men, for example. Purists would say that this isn't *real* blues.

I'd say they should get stuffed. If their real blues is your "Woke up this morning ner NERR ner ner etc" then they can keep it.

At the end of the day there's a time and a place for all music. Except for the stuff I dont like

Oh - isn't that where Bubba came in?

SB

the moose

I sort of agree, but at the same time I can't help it if I find listening to Blind Lemon McMuffin* about as exciting as a wet weekend in Margate.


*Other blues artistes with equally improbable names are also available

Bubba po

There are loads that claim to be Blind, but very few that admit to being deaf. Which is strange considering the disability seems so prevalent.

NotoriousREV

I'm always disappointed when a previously favoured artist goes and "redicovers" their blues roots. Then again, serves me right for being an Eric Clapton and Dire Straights fan

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

What, and you've never seen Eric do the blues?

One of my abiding memories is Led Zeppelin doing "You shook me" live.

And Johnny Winter? Just brilliant.

Alcazar

unclebuck

Yep agree, they are a great blues band.

Don't forget Dr Feelgood also. They were class. One of the greatest of all time has to be Canned Heat. Still massively popular even today.

Clapton's blues guitar is second to none.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Johnny Winter? Rick Derringer? Jimmy Page? Jeff Beck? Rory Gallagher?

Alcazar

unclebuck

Yep, them too. All second to none!!

Been listening to a bit of Rory Gallagher lately. Live in Ireland IIRC. Very good.

NotoriousREV

Of course I've seen him do the blues but he's done nothing but the blues for the last 15 years. IMHO, I'd rather hear him doing his Derek and the Dominoes or Cream stuff.

Bubba po

Oh dearie dear. I seem to have inadvertently awoken a pestilence.

carl

A quick trawl of my iPod under the "Blues" genre gives the following artists:
BB King
Eric Clapton
Fleetwood Mac (the early stuff with Peter Green)
Gary Moore (err...)
George Thorogood (and the Delaware Destroyers )
Jeff Healey
John Lee Hooker
Lightnin' Hopkins
Pat Travers
SRV (class )

Bubba po

Let's just face it; no matter who the exponent is, pub blues is absolutely horrible-worrible music and doesn't deserve an airing. It's just ****e. See, because of its ineffable crapness, my eloquence is letting me down. I cant think of any other description for it.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Not sure. But a few of my mates clump together as aband every now and again to do gigs at local pubs and social clubs etc, plus the odd wedding etc.

Guess what they play?? Blues or rock/blues/motown/oldies etc

My personal take is, all the songs are easy to play and sing. Plus they rarely practice, they just turn up and play.

The only time they practice is if they thrown in some more modern pop such as kylie etc (but with a rock twist).

Always goes down well with the crowds. And "Mustang Sally" always gets the ladies dancing

Bubba po

Practise.

Haven't you got some Imprezas to slag off, Ali?

Vegescoob

I doubt the "master" provided a musical education or a full range of instruments.
Much to my surprise, Bubba displaying a touch of musical fascism?

douglasb

"Mustang Sally" isn't blues - it's soul.

Geoff - have a listen to "The Stumble" as played by Dave Edmunds and Love Sculpture. Not just a guitarist tossing off his instrument and not something that you're likely to hear a pub band doing.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm that's debatable and you know it


Already done my bit for the day

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Strange how it gets played in BB kings Blues club in Memphis, also I belive the great man Jeff Beck himself has been caught playing it

You'll find soul is a off spurt of blues, as is rock, jazz, r&B, motown etc....there is no strict boundry to this genre

Bubba po

The Master was an Evil renegade Time Lord, not a blues guitarist. Though they might be interchangeable.

Bubba po

No it isn't debatable. Practice is the noun, practise is the verb. It's really very simple.

I practise pedantry every day; I run my pedantry practice from this computer terminal.

carl

He's right you know. Practice is to practise as licence is to license as advice is to advise.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I typed it as a noun

carl

The context suggests otherwise.

Vegescoob

You are indeed to be commended for this utterly dedicated work in the service of the language as she is writ.
I take great comfort in the fact that, unlike most practitioners, you come fee free.
Sad to say you are one of a dying breed.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

problem is his practice () is only observed where it is not needed or wanted