Here is some real, in-the-moment music. Two of the living greats of Chicago blues. Electric guitar, amplified harp. Vocals. Topical song, NOT from the 1950s. No hoochie-coochie men or working mojos. My gut tells me that they were both a little high. They are totally leaning over the front edge AND holding back. Lurrie Bell is yanking the beat up onto its rear legs with every single backbeat.
These guys are totally together. It doesn't get any more together than this. Every little mistake (like Branch's flat "got" at 1:32) is just a crumbly bit of asphalt that falls by the wayside when you're laying down a big wide flat piece of new road. This is what living blues looks like. It's some wild-ass s--t. That's what blues is supposed to be.
Actually, it does get better. Here's a truly amazing bit of video. Carrie and Lurrie. It seems from the setting and comments that this was a home video made during an overseas trip.
Topical, yes, but not timely. Tear Down the Berlin Wall was first performed by the SOB's in the early 1980's. It's about 30 years old.
The second video came of the Carey & Lurrie Bell DVD on Del mark. According to the liner notes, that portion of the video was shot at Lurrie's home in Chicago. I believe that the woman in the video is Lurrie's late wife.
I like the second one better. Part of it is I like the lyric hook better, but I also just love that harp tone in the second one. It's strange, because when Cotton plays his 'Slow Blues', he does it with such force, and Bell seems to be being so quiet but Bell's harping has got that same subtle feel to it.
Joe: Thanks for the clarification on the second video. I was fooled by the fact that every single comment on the video was from a non-native speaker rather than Americans or Brits (or Aussies). But yes, that's obviously Lurrie's late wife. And so I'm sure you're right about where it was filmed.
As for the first song: well, yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Of course it's not timely. The Berlin Wall has been down for a while. I got that. That's why I said topical. And yes: it's from the 1980s, which is why I properly noted that it wasn't from the 1950s.
Did you enjoy the music, BTW? I can't tell. Everything I've learned about you in the years you've been on this forum suggests that these two videos would rank in the 99% percentile on your "This is good shit" meter. That's why I posted them: I said to myself, "Joe L will love this stuff. This is GREAT Chicago blues." But your only comment betrayed absolutely no enthusiasm for the music. Just "gotcha" energy towards me. That's too bad, Joe. The moment you start to let the messenger interfere with your enjoyment of the message, your soul hangs in the balance. (And if you enjoyed the videos privately but don't want to say so publicly simply because a purported modernist radical like me posted them and publicly lauded them, that's worrisome, too.)
I reiterate what I said in the topic line: These two videos ARE the blues, the living blues. I hope you agree.
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2012 8:39 PM
the groove and the key reminded me of this it only has a hundred hits or so whats up with that? referring to the 2 nd video w
Last Edited by on Sep 12, 2012 9:08 PM
Adam - Yes. Those videos are the shit! Why point out the obvious when you already did? :-)
Plus, I didn't think anyone would give a rip about my opinion. Most of the people that know me, know what I dig. They also know the videos that you posted are my thing. I've seen both of them before. I've watched the Carey Bell DVD a zillion times.
I love Carey and Billy's playing. To me, they are two of the best ever. I've learned a ton from both of those guys. I love Carey's music and Billy Branch has had an immeasurable impact on my life. (If you want to know that story, I'll tell you on Saturday.)
I rank Lurrie in the same class as guys like Buddy Guy and Otis Rush. Incredibly soulful singer and a fabulous guitarist.
I wasn't trying to stick it to you or show any negative energy.
