Almost all modern Pop music derives from the Blues. From the roots of Hip Hop, with its pulse-taking of the common person’s problems, to the riffs of Rock n Roll, it’s not too tenuous a link to suggest that the Blues created the two biggest Music genres of the last century.
Blues music has never really been in or out of fashion. As most things deemed "classic", it ebbs and flows into our lives in cycles enjoying waves of popularity and resurgence time and time again. Be it the inclusion of Buddy Guy in Obama’s interview with David Letterman, Jack and Meg White’s wonderful reimagining of the genre at the turn of the century when The White Stripes exploded, or when legends like the Rolling Stones share their… ahem, blueprint for success.
Enjoying somewhat of a renaissance right now with this weeks cluster of releases from Gary Clark Jr. and Adia Victoria; two young Americans who have been toiling for years, paying homage and adding their spin on traditional American music.
Thanks to them, and a handful of others, the Blues is back!
Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr has taken a leaf out of Michael Caine’s playbook and blown the bloody doors off what you might consider traditional Blues with "This Land" - a six-minute, synth-laden, Rap-referencing middle finger to racist attitudes from the 1920s and no doubt just as relevant to a whole new era of the downtrodden in 2019.
"Run, run, go back where you come from" sings Clark Jr. as he and his record label double down with one of the first fine videos of the year, directed by Savannah Leaf, this is a wonderful call to arms for anyone feeling displaced. It’s one of a few Trump-Era songs that accurately captures the anger and disgust of this generation's artists holding a mirror to society. The refrain of "this land is mine" references the punkest of all folk singers, mister Woody Guthrie. This Land, the album, is out on March 1st and available to pre-order here.
Adia Victoria
Also about to do it big is Nashville based artist Adia Victoria, whose "Different Kind Of Love" is another gutsy slice from her forthcoming second album Silences, produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, who adds a certain special sauce to a very authentic recipe. The whole album is exquisite but it’s no surprise that the woman who confidently covered both Robert Johnson and Serge Gainsborough delivers brutally honest takes on feminism and racism in 2019.
Nick Waterhouse
Another favourite, and moving towards more of the type of dirty Rhythm n Blues and Rock n Roll America enjoyed before the Beatles came over and prettied it up is Nick Waterhouse. His new song "Song For Winners" from his fourth, self-titled album is out March 1 and sounds like a return to the surf and gravel rash of his 2012 debut Times All Gone.
Yola
British rising star Yola’s debut solo album, Walk Through Fire, produced by The Black Keys’ eight-time Grammy Award winner Dan Auerbach, will be released on February 22, and is available to pre-order here. Yola has blazed her own trail with an unshakable passion for the soul and country blues music she loves. Her arresting vocals first came to the attention of Auerbach after a friend sent him a video of Yola performing in Nashville.
Larkin Poe
Larkin Poe is an American roots-rock band from Atlanta, fronted by sisters, Rebecca Lovell (lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, piano) and Megan Lovell (harmony vocals, lapsteel, dobro). Featuring strong Southern harmonies, heavy electric guitar riffs, and slide guitar, they are often called, “The little sisters of the Allman Brothers.” In 2017 they released their latest album, Peach.
If you want to hear more of these artists and other sounds pushing the boundaries of traditional Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Country and Soul, check out my playlist here...
