OT: New Blues - what y'all listening too?

[William]

What new Blues are y’all listening to these days? I’m listening to a lot of Blues/Blues Rock but I’ll throw this one out to start with because it surprised me. Who have thunk that I would actually like listening to John Mayer after his poppy beginnings? But I have to admit I like the sound with Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan.


William


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c_cEXlv8ZQ&feature=related


What got into John Mayer? Sometime after the release of his 2003 sophomore album, Heavier Things, a perfectly pleasant affair that expanded on the dreamy, mellow adult pop of his breakthrough hit, "Your Body Is a Wonderland," he decided that he just didn't want to follow that direction anymore. He started penning a monthly column for Esquire magazine, within which he hinted that his musical tastes were far broader than his recordings suggested, and then he started cameoing all over the place, appearing on albums by Buddy Guy, Herbie Hancock, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and John Scofield -- heavy hitters one and all, yet none of them seemed to have much to do with Mayer's music, at least on the surface. These veterans recognized something within Mayer's playing, but more importantly, he realized that he needed to push himself further and decided to expand his horizons by seizing the opportunity to play with these masters and then incorporating what he learned into his own music. He toured as a power trio with studio pros Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino and recorded the live album Try! while on the road. There are no two ways about it: anybody who dismissed Mayer as a lite Dave Matthews wannabe based on his first two records will be forced to reassess him on the basis of this excellent record. While he still has some vocal tics that bring to mind Matthews and certainly shares an affection for lengthy live jams, Mayer has developed serious chops that transcend boilerplate jam band rock, where the groove and feel is more important than what's played. Here, Mayer is pushed by Jordan and Palladino -- and he pays back the favor by giving them equal billing on the album's front cover, which is unusual for any pop/rock star of his popularity (the cover also marks the second Blue Note allusion in Mayer's oeuvre, which is surely not a coincidence) -- and he rises to the challenge with muscular playing that's his best playing on record. Not just that, but there's a palpable grit to Try! -- and a sultry smoothness to the mellow numbers -- unheard on his previous studio albums. That alone would make Try! not just noteworthy, but a step forward for Mayer. But what makes it more remarkable is that Mayer takes an even greater risk by relying on new material for this album. There are two older songs -- "Something's Missing" and the hit "Daughters," both from Heavier Things -- but the rest consists of covers of Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles ("Wait Until Tomorrow" and "I Got a Woman," respectively) and new songs that showcase Mayer's earthier, blues-rock direction. Although he sometimes dips into blues-rock clichés -- particularly on the slow-crawling "Out of My Mind" -- it's only on occasion (and when he does tread that familiar ground, he does so with conviction), and the songs overall are his strongest, most ambitious set of tunes yet. And that's what's most impressive about Try! -- Mayer has expanded what he can do as a musician and a writer and in the process has definitively separated himself from the pack of sensitive, jammy modern singer/songwriters. Based on this, he has more heart, soul, ambition, and chops than the rest of them combined. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

[93legendti]

Back Door Slam

[97CSI]

Bonnie Raitt, George Faber, Jimmy Smith, etc. Too many more to name.

[Chad Engle]

Indigenous

[sc53]

For new, contemporary blues I like Ben Harper, Toumani Diabaté, Ali Farka Touré, Corey Harris, Keb Mo, and Raconteurs latest album, Consolers of the Lonely.

[rounder]

I still like J.J. Cale...the new Roll On album is very good.

William, if you like John Mayer playing blues, you may want to check out the Eric Clapton crossroads concert dvds, especially the 2007 concert in Chicago. There is lots of great blues music. The other one was in Austin, i think, and had some old time blues guys.

[mvanhorn]

Eric Steckel, Keb' Mo, Jimmy Thackery, Sonny Landreth, Michael Burks, Joanna Connor, Albert Cummings, Stoney Curtis, Craig Erickson, Van Wilks, Joe Bonamassa, Wes Jeans, Jay Gordon, and Aynsley Lister to name a few.

Mark

[cadence90]

In addition to many of the names already listed, I think Tinariwen are absolutely great (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tinariwen&search_type=&aq=f).
Very, very, very tight!

"Assouf" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztjS6R4uQ8Q) (great guitar/bass).
"Mataraden Anexan" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbdiCDsilCs) (great live version/great audience...viva Ferrara!!!
"Chet Boghassa" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRqiqHZhKOM) (great rhythm).
"Cler Achel" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GahGcVbF-4I) (great mellow live vibe).
"Awa Didjen" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd_EB3MKvrQ) (pure blues...amazing).
"Amassakoul" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-t6-XY7C7A) (great call/response).

[johnnymossville]

Clarence Spady.

If only he could clean himself up enough to show the world his brilliance as a guitarist/songwriter. Ah well.

[Jeff N.]

Charlie Musselwhite. Can't get enough of him. Jeff N.

[pjm]

Scott Henderson
listen here....
http://www.scotthenderson.net/live.htm

[William]

Anyone listen to Bugs Henderson & the Shuffle kings?

http://www.bugshenderson.com/bh/index.asp





William

[Pete Serotta]

Bruce is singing the blue bedford and longin for those climbs in Colorado next week.... :D

[William]

Bruce is singing the blue bedford and longin for those climbs in Colorado next week.... :D

He'll be singing the Blues for sure on those climbs. :D




William

[indyrider]

Robert Randolph and the Family Band....

Opened for Robert Cray not to long ago and to quote: "How the hell am I supposed to follow those guys?!"

[mike p]

Nice and different but I wouldn't call it blues.

Mike



In addition to many of the names already listed, I think Tinariwen are absolutely great (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiEfmsdRI8w&feature=PlayList&p=00138BC13AC1E029&index=0&playnext=1). Very, very, very tight.

[fil]

spent the weekend here
http://www.deepbluesfestival.com/
so much great stuff

[cadence90]

Nice and different but I wouldn't call it blues.

Mike
Really? Why not?

No, it isn't Chicago or Delta blues and derivatives, but to me it seems based on African blues, the root music in any case, in the structure and rhythms, lyrical structure, and call-and-response.

I don't know, maybe it falls under the completely vague label of "world music". :confused:

According to Wiki, they are categorized under the Tishoumaren ("music of the unemployed") genre, which seems, being unemployed myself, to be a basis for the blues. :) :(

In any case, whatever the label, I really like them.
The bass and guitar riffs are great.
They are really great live, but in the US they seem to only get small club gigs (which was GREAT as far I was concerned, to be 10 feet away!), whereas in Europe they apparently sell out far larger venues.

[cadence90]

spent the weekend here
http://www.deepbluesfestival.com/
so much great stuff
Wow. That looks like a top-notch festival.

[William]

The Nighthawks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4usU_rndzeo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb1ij-1VMTo&feature=related

Ten Years Live is a kickin' disc. :cool:






William

[rounder]

I was clicking around and found this. It's kind of long but it's good...it's the guitar showdown from the Crossroads movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeq6r9oISe0

[Hawker]

Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal....on tour right now I believe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1edinilHQU&feature=PlayList&p=03C020C56B5659DC&index=0

Big fan of Francine Reed who lives here in Atlanta and sings back-up for Lyle Lovett. She's killer!

Delbert McClinton and of course Clapton is always close by.

[Jack Brunk]

SRV

Texas Flood
Check out the live version of Voodoo Child at Caragine Hall. Priceless.

[cadence90]

Luther Allison rocks.

Allison + Clapton + Rush = Super-tight. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXzFPcpzB2Y)
.
.
.Delbert McClinton....
Oh, hell yes!!! One of the most underrated ever.

[texbike]

Blues can take many different forms, but the blues that I dig is guitar heavy and dirty.

For "new" blues, I like the Black Keys and Gary Clark Jr.

However, it's still hard for anyone to touch SRV.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSpbuFSr2o&feature=related

Wow!

Texbike

[Ray]

Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal....on tour right now I believe.

I saw their show a month or so ago. Really fine stuff. Taj has lost a couple of steps but is still a good bit of fun. Bonnie hasn't lost ANYthing - damn fine in all respects but my god that woman can CROON.

But nothing about them is NEW blues, nor much of what's been mentioned here. And on the rare occasion I do hear something that's both new and blues, it doesn't sound much different than the old blues. Which is just fine with me. Kind of like someone once asked George Thoroughgood why he never wrote any songs and he said "because Chuck Berry already wrote 'em all", which is how I feel about the blues. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, BB King, and Jimi/SRV are all I need to know. Everyone else was/is just copying one or more of those folks.

-Ray

[OtayBW]

Ronnie Earl is blowing the doors off of things lately. Incredible touch and tone. Highly recommended.

[paczki]

Robert Randolph and the Family Band....

Opened for Robert Cray not to long ago and to quote: "How the hell am I supposed to follow those guys?!"

Amazing live. They've put 208 of their live shows on www.archive.org if you want to listen.

http://www.archive.org/details/RobertRandolphandtheFamilyBand

[don'TreadOnMe]

ERIC GALES
(yes, all caps)

[old_school]

Blues, R&B, and Soul all flow together for me. As far as new artists are concerned, I am really impressed with Black Joe Lewis - sort of James Brown meets Dyke and the Blazers.
Sugarfoot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UOJUbiWC5M) I'm Broke (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3GJCRR4pp4&feature=related)

[MassBiker]

The Black Keys are a great band, amazing live show too.
Dan Auerbach does some solo stuff as well, a little more laid back but quality stuff

:beer:

[flydhest]

Indigenous
word

[SEABREEZE]

My pick is Robert Lucas, <> Luke and the Locomotives on Audioquest.

Dont get much better. One bad ass white boy.

[William]

Ahh, it was Tex!! Thanks Big Guy!! :cool:



Since music is on the mind of the forum right now, any more Blues Blues/Rock suggestions?






William

[Likes2ridefar]

For new, contemporary blues I like Ben Harper, Toumani Diabaté, Ali Farka Touré, Corey Harris, Keb Mo, and Raconteurs latest album, Consolers of the Lonely.

I've really enjoyed Ali Farka Toure over the past few years as well. Amazing guitar.

[Fixed]

mayer went to berkley school of music = varied taste
derrick trucks seems to be riding high now (family business uncle was in allman brothers ) believe it or not i played in his uncle's band (organ b3 ) 1975
some people like keb mo
no one is howlin wolf muddy or albert king to me though
cheers
otis span
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N6G90E_GVE
the old guys ( blues and jazz ) learned on the street or at church
now they go to music conservatory .
cheers imho

[Fixed]

Bonnie Raitt, George Faber, Jimmy Smith, etc. Too many more to name.
jimmy smith
my hero
cheers

[Likes2ridefar]

jimmy smith
my hero
cheers

Excellent! sorry edited the new part:)

[Hawker]

Derek Trucks and his fantasticaly talented wife...Susan Tedeschi.

[MarleyMon]

See him live if you can - Southside Denny Snyder (http://www.dennysnyder.com/main.php)
Based in Montreal after years in South Bend, he learned from many Chicago greats. A really great player, saw him this summer for the first time in 5 years and he was better than ever. Now his family is joining in with son on percussion and my, his daughter can sing!

Jackie Greene can play some blues.

Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers are good. Saw them w/ Michael Burkes, who is Chicago style and worthwhile.

[Ken Robb]

Robin Henkel is a San Diego blues guitarist who has some CDs that we enjoy.

[alpsantos]

Mississippi John Hurt....great stuff!

[jr59]

Derek Trucks and his fantasticaly talented wife...Susan Tedeschi.

You beat me to it! Good stuff here. :banana:

[climbgdh]

Derek Trucks and his fantasticaly talented wife...Susan Tedeschi.

+1 million.

Tremendous!!

[pjm]

Love this guy....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCDN5fYiRC0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8_c0dHDH44&feature=related

[Fixed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNj2BXW852g


some old stuff
when gospel and blues
were on 2 sides of
the same street
cheers imho

[andywills]

Nobody has mentioned the North Mississippi Allstars. I saw them recently and they were in tip-top form as always. They also had a feisty opening act, the Alabama Shakes, who I would recommend checking out (although they are more soul than blues).

[William]

Nobody has mentioned the North Mississippi Allstars. I saw them recently and they were in tip-top form as always. They also had a feisty opening act, the Alabama Shakes, who I would recommend checking out (although they are more soul than blues).

+1 :cool:

Don't forget...
R.L. Burnside.





William

[William]

What Blues/Blues rock y'all listening to now?

Just listened to some Gary Clark Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFIWstcaoLc






William

[parco]

Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Actually I believe Charlie has retired but they made some great recordings and I think the nightcats are still playing. More like jump blues. William Clark was also a great harp player but he has left us.

[Ken Robb]

This is such an old thread I can't remember if I or anyone else mentioned Keb Mo. He's good.

[hummus_aquinas]

Blues Hammer

[2metalhips]

Joanne Shaw Taylor...Sonny Landreth.

[parco]

There's a new young guy on the scene named Marcus King. He's pretty versatile sounds a little like Warren Haynes at times. He's really gonna be something in a few years.

[Frankwurst]

Tedeschi/Trucks, Jhonny Lang, Robert Cray, The Rolling Stones The list goes on and on and............:beer:

[alexstar]

Chris Thomas King.

[Bentley]

Robert Cray, Keb Mo honest blues

[simplemind]

Robert Cray, Keb Mo honest blues

Regular appearances at the Telluride Blues & Brews (http://www.tellurideblues.com/) event. Saw Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ together.

[OtayBW]

Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Actually I believe Charlie has retired but they made some great recordings and I think the nightcats are still playing. More like jump blues. William Clark was also a great harp player but he has left us.
+1 on Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Jump blues and swing blues with a sense of humor. Really enjoy them.

[wpod]

Jorma Kaukonen/ Rev Gary Davis, North Mississippi All-stars, Samantha Fish and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram are in my current rotation in addition to Drive- By-Truckers