The first time I heard the song “I Pity The Fool”, I stopped dead in my tracks and was completely drawn in by the growling vocals of Bobby “Blue” Bland. I immediately bought a 2-disc anthology to introduce myself to the man. Born in Tennessee, “Blue” Bland sang iconic songs “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City”, “Lead Me On”, “Turn Your Love Light On”, and “Farther On Up The Road.” He started out singing gospel and then fell in love with the blues he heard in Memphis and began blending those styles. Later he sang what would be considered R&B of the 70s and 80s. It’s all soul music really, and he was one of the best, along with his contemporaries Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Rush, BB King, etc. (By the way, Bobby Rush and BB King are still touring around, so get to see them. I’ve seen BB several times, but never Bobby Rush, but this festival looks off the chain and I may have to endure the sweltering August Mississippi to go: http://www.jacksonrhythmandbluesfestival.com.) “Blue” Bland sadly passed away June 23 at the age of 83. He left a legacy that generations will enjoy for the years to come.
Here is one of the most well-known songs “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City,” which Jay-Z and Kanye West sampled.
Photo by Melanie Martinez (c) 2009 in Austin, Texas.
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