So long, Bobby 'Blue' Bland

June 23, 2013 10:00 PM

It's time to say farewell to one of the great and legendary voices of American music. Mr Bobby 'Blue' Bland has died. With the perfect combination of muscle and tenderness, grit and sweetness, he gave us so many stellar performances over his long career. Here are but a few: Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City, The Way You Treated Me, Stormy Monday, Further Up the Road, St. James Infirmary, I'll Take Care of You, I Stand Accused, That's the Way Love Is, Ain't Nothing You Can Do... and the list goes on. Thanks for the music, Bobby Bland.
posted by flapjax at midnite (43 comments total)

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I was a fan. RIP.
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:03 PM on June 23, 2013

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posted by raihan_ at 10:06 PM on June 23, 2013

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posted by odasaku at 10:11 PM on June 23, 2013

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posted by LeLiLo at 10:11 PM on June 23, 2013

With BB King in 1977.

We've never really found a genre like the blues.... and there are so few masters left.

And, let me take this opportunity to thank flapjax at midnite for his contributions to Metafilter, and for many late nights hearing old favorites and discovering new treasures. Thanks....
posted by HuronBob at 10:13 PM on June 23, 2013 [5 favorites]

One of my favorites. RIP.

I Pity the Fool.
posted by dobbs at 10:14 PM on June 23, 2013

Turn On Your Love Light

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posted by telstar at 10:43 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

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best version of In The Ghetto I've yet heard ...
posted by philip-random at 10:49 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

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posted by Gary at 10:51 PM on June 23, 2013

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posted by scody at 10:58 PM on June 23, 2013

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also .
posted by raysmj at 10:58 PM on June 23, 2013

Another giant dead. 83 is a good long run.

and there are so few masters left.

Old masters. There are plenty of young ones which the old masters have inspired. Blues is alive and well and will outlive us all.
posted by three blind mice at 11:08 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

Blues is alive and well and will outlive us all.

For our kids...I hope you're right...
posted by HuronBob at 11:13 PM on June 23, 2013

I hope you're right...

Nearly every decent sized town has a Blues Society supporting local bands. The Blues Foundation which acts as a sort of umbrella organisation holds an annual competition in Memphis every year - with a special category for under 21.

"The list of current blues artists that have competed in the IBC over the years is impressive indeed: Slick Ballinger, Barbara Blue, Fiona Boyes, Eden Brent, Keith Brown, Michael Burks, Sean Carney, Albert Castiglia, Tommy Castro, the late Sean Costello, Albert Cummings, Delta Moon, Larry Garner, Joey Gilmore, Diunna Greenleaf, Zac Harmon, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Richard Johnston, Joe Moss, Jason Ricci, Robin Rogers, Matthew Skoller, Super Chikan, Patrick Sweany, Susan Tedeschi, Teeny Tucker, Watermelon Slim, the late John Weston and Michelle Wilson."

This is American music inspired by American artists like Bobby Bland. Now go out to the club and support your local Blues.
posted by three blind mice at 11:28 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

Snort!!!

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posted by chillmost at 11:46 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

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Lord what a voice.
posted by ThatFuzzyBastard at 11:56 PM on June 23, 2013 [2 favorites]

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posted by lapolla at 12:56 AM on June 24, 2013

Oh, thanks , Flapjax, I had heard some of his music, but didn't know who he was...
posted by nicolin at 1:20 AM on June 24, 2013

@

No! I loved BBB! What a silky smooth blues that man sang. No forgetting him, ever!
posted by Vibrissae at 2:48 AM on June 24, 2013

He also made one of the finest Northern Soul tracks
posted by niceness at 3:15 AM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

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posted by Halloween Jack at 4:32 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by Thorzdad at 6:09 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by middleclasstool at 6:10 AM on June 24, 2013

RIP to one of the truly great ones. "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City," is a true masterpiece.
posted by jonmc at 7:16 AM on June 24, 2013

flapjax, I was on my way to work this morning, looking forward to this post. Thank you!
posted by thinkpiece at 7:26 AM on June 24, 2013

I first heard of him via Mark Lanegan's cover of I'll Take Care of You. RIP, BBB.

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posted by Beardman at 7:28 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by ogooglebar at 7:31 AM on June 24, 2013

On the intro to this Further on up the Road I swear Clapton says "Bobby Blue band" but the song sounds pretty great.
posted by bukvich at 8:02 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by vibrotronica at 8:02 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by kenko at 8:23 AM on June 24, 2013

Thanks to Mr. Bland for so many wonderful songs. And thanks to flapjax at midnite for another excellent music post.
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posted by lord_wolf at 8:27 AM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

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posted by drezdn at 8:43 AM on June 24, 2013

When I was a student in Chicago there was a late night public radio program which had Bland's Love to See You Smile as the theme...always made pulling an all-nighter more pleasureable...
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 8:53 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by Gelatin at 9:48 AM on June 24, 2013

Old Skool represent! R.I.P.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 11:43 AM on June 24, 2013

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posted by El Brendano at 12:14 PM on June 24, 2013

A non-bland memory of Bland, from Said the Gramophone.
posted by LeLiLo at 1:03 PM on June 24, 2013 [1 favorite]

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posted by Lynsey at 2:42 PM on June 24, 2013

B.
posted by Che boludo! at 6:23 PM on June 24, 2013

O.
posted by Che boludo! at 6:23 PM on June 24, 2013

B. B. Y.
posted by Che boludo! at 6:23 PM on June 24, 2013

R.I.P.
posted by On the Corner at 6:06 AM on June 25, 2013

Little Boy Blue. The range of texture and sound he could get out of his voice. Starts out all croony and controlled, gets awesomely screamy (and very modern-sounding), then back to croony. Amazing control.

I hadn't really listened to him before, happened to hear that track on a tribute on the radio, now I have some new-to-me blues to listen to.

I'll be in my bunk.
posted by biscotti at 4:48 PM on June 25, 2013