Going back to the roots tonight. Bobby "Blue" Bland is probably one of the most influential blues singers to have come out of the 1950s chitlin circuit. His career dates back to the 1940s when Jump-Blues was evolving and he's continued his soulful and elegant delivery as a big-band blues singer even today at the mellow age of 80.
His chart hits started in the mid 1950's with Further Up The Road and continued well into the 1960's. Although he never achieved mainstream popularity, he has always enjoyed a large and loyal following, and his live appearances are memorable events. I remember seeing him play clubs around Los Angeles in the early 1970's and the houses were always packed to capacity with Bland, the ever suave and cool practitioner of sweet heartache.
Tonight's track is from 1959. Wishing Well, not one of his better known sides, but one that perfectly captures the spirit of what Bobby Blue Bland is all about.
