1 Part B.B., 12 Parts Amazing Blues Musicians.

So I love B.B. King. He is incredible. He plays the guitar like a god, he wears the coolest outfits, and he loves performing with others. My favorite thing though, is his ability to pair with other artists. Today I am featuring a whole album of duets featuring King and some of the biggest names in the Blues world. For proof of my first assertions, though, check out this clip of King, Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Jim Vaughn (Brother of Stevie Ray).



He just makes everything cool. He is an amazing bluesman, and really embodies the spirit of a modern blues giant. I love his shout-out to Muddy Waters and just how awesome his dancing is. He is playing with Guy and Clapton (two of the greatest blues guitarists to have ever lived) and he just makes rocking look so effortless.

It just doesn't get cooler than that.

The album I am sharing is actually pretty incredible itself, and even has a version of Rock Me Baby with Clapton and King. It is a bunch of great blues numbers with King and other greats. His signature tune, "The Thrill is Gone," features Tracy Chapman who brings a touch of class and soul to the song. All the other artists on the album do King's incredible talent justice, and they all shine just as much as he does. For a sample here is "If You Love Me," featuring Van Morrison.



I love Van Morrison too, and this collaboration is just remarkable. Take it in, listen to the whole album, it is worth it, and enjoy.

Deuces Wild (1997)

Back to something Bluesy

So I know lately I've been posting a lot more jazz than blues. I've been listening to a lot more jazz recently, and I just had to get some of the great ensembles I've been hearing on here. But! Today I have a very authentic Texas Bluesman.

Lightnin' Hopkins was born and raised in Texas and performed for the most of his life there. He recorded tons and tons of songs, somewhere on the order of 800-1000. He has a great style. His guitar work is amazing, not to mention very, very influential.

The following song, "Katie Mae Blues," is a personal favorite. And the lyrics are simply great. I'm actually going to post them because I think they're so awesome.


Yeah, you know Katie Mae is a good girl, folks, and she don't run around at night
Yeah, you know Katie Mae is a good girl, folks, and she don't run around at night
Yeah, you know you can bet your last dollar Katie Mae will treat you right
Yeah, you know I try to give that woman everything in the world she need,
that's why she don't do nothing but lay up in the bed and read
You know she walks just like she got oil wells in her backyard
Yes, you'll never hear that woman whoop
and holler and cry and talking 'bout these times being hard
You know some folks say she must be a Cadillac,
but I say she must be a T-model Ford
Yeah, you know some folks say she must be a Cadillac,
but I say she must be a T-model Ford
Yeah, you know she got the shape all right, but she can't carry no heavy load
I say goodbye, goodbye poor Katie Mae, these are the last words that I got to say
I say goodbye, goodbye poor Katie Mae, these are the last words I got to say
Yes, if I don't see you tomorrow I hope I'll meet you early the next day





So please give this a listen. If you like Stevie Ray Vaughn, you should know that he was very much influenced by Hopkins' and to say the blues world would be different if he had never picked up a guitar would be an exercise in understatement.
The Complete Aladdin Recordings (disc 1)