BLUE, PERIOD.

Bobby Blue Bland died yesterday. He didn't play an instrument, and was fortunate to have good musicians behind him, but he had that voice. The arrangements were always big sounding, with a lot of stuff going on, but he cut right through it. Man, was he smooth. Sample a few of the cuts below. This is a guy who had designs on converting everybody, not just the blues crowd. He was blues, soul, gospel, R & B, country and just straight crooner all rolled into one. Jeez, listen to "Lead Me On" and you'll hear why there are some who compare him to Sinatra. His shit was smooth. 

“I’d like to be remembered as just a good old country boy that did his best to give us something to listen to and help them through a lot of sad moments, happy moments, whatever," Whatever, okay. I know what you mean.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~

Listen:
Bobby Blue Bland - St. James Infirmary mp3 at 78s
Bobby Blue Bland - Lovin' Blues mp3 at Said the Gramophone
Bobby Blue Bland - Turn On Your Love Light mp3 at Corey Barksdale
Bobby Blue Bland - I Pity the Fool mp3 at Smiles Davis
Bobby Blue Bland - Lead Me On mp3 at Disclaimer Band
Bobby Blue Bland - Cry, Cry, Cry mp3 at AMPS
Bobby Blue Bland - Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City mp3 at Revenge of Rob Gordon
Video:
A Moment With Bobby Blue Bland at Vimeo
Visit:
Bobby Blue Bland at Wikipedia
Bobby Blue Bland - Obituary at the New York Times