32: Lists1

In general, I hate those ubiquitous “world’s best XXX” lists. Whether it be about movies, attractions or music, I generally think they’re pandering to the lowest common denominator. So, when I saw that Guitar Player magazine had done a list of the (alleged) 50 most “badass” blues guitar solos (You can listen along with my by clicking on that link if you do not have Spotify (or ***HYPOCRISY ALERT*** don’t want to support the thieving bastards) that did not include list standards like Clapton (who I hate), Beck (who I love), Page (apathetic about) or Hendrix (genius). I was intrigued. So, I decided that I would make a playlist of all the songs on the list and listen to them in the same order. I was unable to find a few of the tracks on Spotify, so I skipped them. There are some rules (self imposed) to this little adventure. The first is that I have not (and will not) read any of the blurbs in the original article. I just picked the tracks (and tried to find the specific version the article mentions). Secondly, I’m not looking at who plays what when I listen. The screen is off, and I’m hearing with virgin ears. Of course I know some of these players, and even some of the tracks, but for the most part this is a new adventure. I’m not going to write a million words on each song - just a brief impression and maybe a judgement call or two!

So here goes.

1: Ohio. This is the Black Keys. They operate in a similar space to the North Mississippi Allstars. Dirty hill country blues which is my favorite blues. The solo at the end is indeed incendiary. Overall a great track and a worthwhile addition to the list. I’m glad to see it as the first mention.

2: Deep Feeling. Chuck Berry channeling a luau on slide. I’ve never heard him like this. Over a really basic 12 bar riff, Chuck plays homage to the Hawaiian steel players that so influenced the blues. I don’t love this enough to play it often, but it is a nice excursion and shows that the list makers are really thinking outside the box here.

3: Stormy Monday. A great track from what is arguably one of the best live rock albums ever recorded. Two of the world’s best in Duane and Dicky, separated by Greggs organ on a beautiful slow take on a standard. We lost Duane before this album was even released, but it’s wonderful to think that his beautiful sound can live on.

As I was listening I decided a future post will be on great live albums. That will be fun. Back when I was a radio DJ in Taos, NM, I did a two hour show called Friday Night Live, which was nothing but live tracks. It was the only time I was able to bring stuff in from my own collection. I loved it.

4: Red Dog Speaks. Ok. Now here’s another new one for me. If you only know Elvin Bishop from the execrable Fooled Around And Fell In Love (as I did), you’re really missing something. As this track (a love song to his Stereo Gibson ES-345) proves, Bishop has some great blues chops and can really make his guitar speak. I’ll have to delve a little deeper into his catalog.

5: Albert’s Shuffle. As the title implies, this is an extended solo played over a standard 12 bar shuffle (the staple of blues). Mike Bloomfield is a righteously lauded player, but I find this track boring. His tone is standard, and the 12 bar does very little for me.

6: Blues Deluxe. Joe Bonamassa is one of the most polarizing figures in modern blues. But there’s absolutely no denying the chops on display on this track. With great use of the volume knob and some blazing speed, Bonamassa puts it all down there behind some great gravelly vocals. I enjoyed this a lot!

7: Cry. OK. This was the new standout for me this morning. I absolutely loved this track. It’s super simple - a basic minor key arpeggio riff, but the vocals are super soulful and the guitar playing is tasteful and expressive. Doyle Bramhall II is someone I’ll be looking much further into.

8: Okie Dokey Stomp. Another 50’s guitar workout. You can’t deny the chops here, but ultimately, like most stuff of that era, it does nothing for me. It was probably a million years ahead of its time but I’ll give it a pass.

9: John’s Blues. Roy Buchannon is another of those guys that I’ve known about for years but don’t really know. Over an uninspired 12-bar background, Roy plays an incendiary blues here. He’s really good, and worth checking out more. However, if this is the musical standard for him (basic 12 bar), he won’t make serious rotation for me, despite the depth of his playing (which is really deep).

On the medical front, I’ve got an appointment in two weeks with a naturopathic doctor. We had an hour long intro conversion, and she did a nice job of convincing me that there are a lot of good alternatives out there for an Alzheimer’s patient. Diet, vitamins, infusions (exosome and peptides) and other things to explore. I’m not yet sure if I’ll do any of this. It’s super expensive and some of it borders on feeling scammy, but I do know that the American influx of Alzheimer’s has to be (at least in part) environmental and diet related. There are many reputable sources referring to it as Diabetes 3. So, I’m intrigued. I’ve got another phone conversation in the works with a biomedical company to hear what their treatment options are. So, as always, I’m pushing forward!

I know I promised to be less political but I think this is an important thing to mention. RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE. I should not have to say this. It is a known fact despite what our elected government is trying to tell us. We (everyone who is old enough to be reading this blog) were all aware when it happened. It disgusts me that the republicans are trying to say any different and that a percentage of voters are signing on to this blatant mistruth. The “meeting” in the oval office the other day was a disgrace, and we should all be embarrassed for our country. (And has the flunky who tried to berate Zelensky for his attire ever looked at the way Elon Musk dresses? And why is the media not harping on that?) And the speaker of the house suggesting that Zelensky needs to step down so that the US plan (which rapes the Ukrainians even more and gives them no guarantees of peace - as long as Putin is around) can be accepted. Many of us - the more enlightened, I’ll say - have been aware of the influence Russia has had on CPOTUS, and hopefully this spin will help those who weren’t aware to become so. It’s pretty freaking obvious who CPOTUS and his cronies are working with at this point. And I, for one, am sick about it. And you should be too. This was not diplomacy, this was gangster strong arm bullying. Shades of the Vercotti brothers, I think - with none of the wit and all the slime.

Back to it then…

10: When My Train Pulls In. I’ve liked Gary Clark Jr. for some time now. This is one of his better early numbers, and he plays the crap out of a fuzz driven wah-wah laced solo. It’s a simple song, but really good, with soulful vocals and a driving beat.

11: Feelin Bad Blues. Ry Cooder. Damn, he’s good. This is a solo slide guitar masterpiece. Played through a bit of reverb and delay, Cooder conjures sounds out of his instrument that draw you right in. Deeply atmospheric and not a wrong moment in the entire piece. Great stuff.

12: Chicken In The Kitchen. This is a goofy track. Fairly smooth, with silly lyrics - not what you typically think of when you think blues, but it works a bit, probably because of the two incendiary guitar solos. I’ve known of Robert Cray for years, but have never warmed to him. This did very little to rectify that.

13: Shake ‘Em On Down. Ok… We all know that I’m a Luther Dickinson fanboy, so I don’t need to go much further. Let’s just say that this particular live outing (The Allstars are ALWAYS better live than in the studio) is as raucous as can be, and Luther is just tearing it up on his slide.

14: Blues After Hours This one is more a showcase for the barrelhouse piano player than the guitar, which is tinny and uninteresting. Not my jam. Sorry.

15: Prison Of Love. I’ve never explored Robben Ford as a blues artist, because I’ve hated him as a jazz fusion artist since I was a teen. He appears to have carried over the qualities I disliked right into the blues. Sterile and uninteresting, despite having obvious chops.

We went to the funeral service of an old colleague - mentioned before at his passing. I did better at this one then the last funeral I attended (which, if you remember, I had to leave due to intense doomy feelings). We saw many old colleagues and even a few students, now all grown up. It was a strong showing for a good man, who led a good life. Both Wendy and I, however, noted that there were far more professional props given then human (except for his sons who were both deeply personal and eloquent). We both decided that, although our professions were important, it was the impact that we had that made us in any way special - and wanted to be sure that this was what was talked about - not which organization we worked for or what schools we attended. There’s not a thing wrong with what was said yesterday - this man was indeed a deeply revered academic administrator for many great institutions - but just not our choice. We made that same choice at our wedding, where our spoken vows (and what we insisted the minister say) did not mention the name of the company where we met. RIP EW, and thank you for the great personal-world changing opportunities.

16: The Change In Me. Back in 1948, John Lee Hooker released Boogie Chillen, which has become the most (ab)used riff in the rock lexicon. The Guitar Player article notes that The Change In Me is lifted from ZZ Top’s La Grange - which is a great tune, but fails to mention the Hooker track that Top pillaged. Oh well. This is a great solo. Eric Gales has a great tone and feeling.

17: Bullfrog Blues. I know that we all secretly understand that the north of Ireland is the birthplace of the blues (joke), so it should be no surprise that such a master as Rory Gallagher hails from that region. In all seriousness though, this is a rollicking barrelhouse jam with some masterful slide work and boatloads of frenetic rock and roll energy.

18: Blues Newburg. I’m a complete neophyte as to the works of Danny Gatton. I know the name, and the reverence with which it is spoken, but have not delved deeper into his work. This track won’t change that - despite being a masterful showing of finesse on the slide.

19: Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell. This was the track of the day for me. Completely out of the mold for ZZ Top, and new to me. A masterwork.

20: The Blue. This track threw me out of my blues trance. Despite knowing the timbre of David Gilmour’s voice due to 40+ years of fandom, I didn’t recognize it right away. I did, however, get it as soon as the solo kicked in. Damn, but that man can make a guitar speak like nobody else. An instantly recognizable tone and style. This is wonderful playing on a rather lackluster track.

21: Lonesome Dave. This one brought me right back into the vibe that Gilmour threw me out of. I don’t know David Grissom at all. I don’t think I’ve even heard of him. This is great playing over a rather standard take on the blues inspired by folks like ZZ Top. Super tasteful playing with great bends and tonal slides. I’ll dig a little deeper into this guy.

22: How Blue Can You Get. Seated with the guitar on his lap and playing with a completely unconventional hand technique, Jeff Healey, a blind man, coaxes sounds out of his axe that rival the greats. He’s also got a soulful voice and a crack blues band. However, the track itself is rather uninspiring and doesn’t prompt further listening.

All I’ll add to the other day’s rant is that nothing has changed - and I’m incredibly disappointed in about half of my fellow Americans. I’m also proud of our Canadian brethren for standing up for their rights and calling out hypocrisy when they see it. I do hope Ukraine stands as strong in their beliefs. They are really in an untenable situation, and I am disgusted that my country is making it worse in order to profit and kowtow to the Russians. The dollar is falling on the world markets and the Dow has dropped over 1000 points in the last 5 days. How is this making the country great? And it’s still going to get worse before it gets better. I know that.

I didn’t watch the state of the union, and the reporting and clips from this morning make me happy I didn't. I don't have so much room for rage these days. I’m full up with other feelings. But I’m tired of lies. I’m tired of obfuscation. And I’m really hoping for a major change in two years, and hope it’s not too late for the country. And by major change, I mean both parties. (Obviously, a left wing majority would be preferable, but many democrats are well past their due days.)

It looks as though the Arab states are finally rising to support the people of Palestine. I really am hopeful that this will work out. Please, Hamas and Hezbollah (et al), let the people be and try this potential for peace. It’s been too long. There is room in the world (even right in that region) for both Palestine and Israel, who need to figure a way to coexist for the good of all. And if that means sending Bibi to pasture, so be it. He can join CPOTUS, Putin, and their lackeys in failed despot land.

23: Blue Guitar. Unquestionably good slide playing over an uninspired and plodding 12-bar Chicago backing. This track eventually morphed into You Shook Me, which was made super famous by Led Zeppelin on their first album.

24: It Hurts Me Too. A very early take on a track that has become a blues staple over time. Elmore James is, by all respects, one of the forefathers of the bottleneck blues. His playing here is exceptional, but the era of the music is kind of uninteresting. James has done better, I think.

25: Texas. I wish I could love Eric Johnson. The man can play the living heck out of his guitar, and his tone and style are wonderful. He’s all over the fretboard with a smoothness that is unmatched. And yet, he’s never really spoken to me musically. Props for having guest vocals on this track from the Joker himself, Steve Miller.

26: Playing Around. Historically speaking this track paved the way for many greats - Lonnie Brooks is an unsung father of the electric guitar solo - but that doesn’t mean the music spoke to me at all. A very typical walking blues from the mid century.

27: The Grip. Greg Koch. Sweet mother, this guy knows his way around the fretboard. All sorts of interesting stuff is happening during this otherwise slow and uninteresting piece. But the solo (the whole thing) really makes it a happening joint! Perhaps the track of the day. The first time during this project I almost turned the monitor on to see who I was hearing. I didn’t though!

28: Wind In Denver. Another great that I’ve never found to my taste, no matter how many times I’ve tried. Sonny Landreth is from New Orleans, and often adds that heritage to his music. Not really here though. This is a pretty standard slide blues romp, and it succeeds where other tracks by Landreth have failed for me. I almost thought it was Derek Trucks for a minute. I’ve not tried this album out before, and now I will.

29: A Quitter Never Wins. I don’t know Johnny Lang at all. Apparently a teen sensation in the 90s (He was 16 when the linked video was recorded (not the track I listened to under the lights because it’s not on Spotify - but I listened while writing this blurb)). A blazingly hot solo, no doubt. This year's model of the teen sensations are named Taj Ferrant who was only 15 when he channeled SRV here, and 18 year old Grace Bowers who plays with incredible finesse here.

I’ve got to say that the change in light outside is really reaping havoc with my listening schedule. I’m going to have to change the room where my setup is because it gets too bright too early (and stays bright too late) due to a skylight. First world problems, I’m aware. I’ll be holding on to the fact that I live in a first world country until I can no longer do so. Seems the MAGA folks are going to do everything they can to bring us back to the dark ages. One thing that was pointed out to me yesterday is that no point in the State Of The Union address the other day, did the President mention the cost of living or prescription pricing or anything, really, that would dramatically better the lives of the people. He’s focused on the stupid culture wars and his inane tariffs (which he seems to have backed down from again.

Also, I’ll take one more shot at recommending that readers of all political ideologies read the Letters From An American blog. The blog’s author, historian Heather Cox Richardson is a REPUBLICAN. That should give some of the more narrow among you permission to check it out. I read it every day. Do yourself (and the country) a favor and get informed. Follow the Musk money trail. Listen to the changes in rhetoric from snakes like Graham (who changed his tune on Ukraine in a matter of hours). We do, actually need to MAGA! These are just not the people to do it - no matter what hats they wear. (And, If I’ve not already said it, I actually DO think that waste needs to be trimmed from the bureaucracy of the government. I just don’t believe that the current DOGE people are doing it right or in the best interests of anybody but Musk. Certainly not in the best interest of the world at large (or America either). But in theory, I support the concept.)

But seriously. Transgender Mice? Does anybody believe this? I mean, my god people. A little critical thinking here?

I’m posting now before the list is done to keep the politics relevant.

Thanks for reading!
Dy