Damn Right I Got The Blues

Every once in a while I go on a blues bender.  Nothing else quite satisfies like something loud and electric (or quiet and acoustic) and note bending, soul opening swampy hollering.  In "The Long Sandy Hair of Neftoon Zamora" Mike Nesmith (yes, the wool hat wearing Monkee) describes the blues like this:

"For those unacquainted with the blues, it is not necessary to know much except all blues sound essentially the same. What counts is the individuality of the singer, the soul of the performer. Everyone plays the same three or four chords, the melodies are almost indistinguishable, so the captivating part is what the player brings to the form."

Keeping this in mind, these are the souls that are captivating me today.

Big Momma Thornton -- Ball and Chain.  While this song is more associated with Janis Joplin I love this version more.  As someone said in the YouTube comments, "This is what is commonly referred to as The Shit." 

John Lee Hooker -- Boom Boom Boom Boom.  I was blessed to see Hooker at Bumbershoot in 1996.  His roadie practically carried him onstage, sat him down and Hooker transfixed grunge babies and bluesheads alike.  When he was done he kind of slumped forward and his roadie came back out and carried him off.  I still get chills thinking about it.

Buddy Guy -- Feels Like Rain (featuring Bonnie Raitt).  Isn't that what love is supposed to be?