Review

Bobby 'Blue' Bland: Two Steps From The Blues (Canny Media/Claptrap TV)

Music documentaries are often a let down. Poor research or a re-hash of material already out there. When it comes to profiles on blues artists, I am usually left feeling like I just sat down to a three-course meal, but someone forgot to serve the pudding. Empty and hungry for more.

But this DVD on the life and career of Bobby “Blue” Bland is very tasty, and a cut above the rest. A rarity in fact for a blues artist, in as much as the subject is alive and well. At 82 years old, Bobby has contributed interviews and his blessing for the project.

Described as “one of the all time Fathers of the blues,” I’d say this guy was among the very first to combine soul with blues. His voice is sweet and strokes you one minute, full of grit and growl, like a smack round the head the next.

For me, he straddles soul and blues with ease and has his own inimitable sound. We learn in the film, as a youngster he listened to recordings of preachers and copied their fiery delivery as a singer. He developed a unique way of closing off part of his throat, by turning his head to one side to create a rasp-like growl, similar to what he had heard the evangelists do.

BB King sums up Bland’s ability in his contribution to the film, when he says: “He has a voice of silk. He’s a great singer. I am just glad he doesn’t play guitar.” King and Bland have toured together and made two platinum albums together in 1974 and 1976. He moved to Memphis in 1947 with his Mother, and drove for BB King on his gigs, before singing for King’s band. He also drove for Roscoe Gordon and Little Junior Parker, when starting out. He sang at Sam Cooke’s funeral.

The film features interviews with BB, Van Morrison, Quincy Jones, Susan Tedeschi, Ira Tucker of gospel greats The Dixie Hummingbirds, Willie Mitchell, Dan Penn, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red - who made a tribute album to Bobby. Hucknall gets to meet his hero in the documentary. Peter Guralnick, author of “Sweet Soul Music” gives his informed view of Bland’s importance to music, and we hear from musicians who played with Bland on some of his best recordings.

We hear how Robert Calvin Bland took part in an amateur show, hosted by Rufus Thomas in the 50s for a $5 fee, and was spotted by a talent scout who signed him to Duke Records. He had ten singles on Duke before his debut album, “Blues Consolidated” in 1958.
Recording from 1951, he was also on the Chess, ABC, MCA, Malaco and Dunhill labels. We see Bland in concert and vintage TV footage of him on stage. Presley was a fan of Bobby’s and cut “Mystery Train” after hearing Bobby’s version. Bland received a Grammy Lifetime Award in 1997.

This 58-minute documentary was originally aired on BBC Television, and won praise from the media, with the Daily Mail saying it was a “finely crafted profile,” and The Times choosing it as their “pick of the day.” It has not been available to buy until now.

Bland’s big hit "Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City", surfaced again in 1978 by Whitesnake and was sampled by Kanye West on Jay-Z's Hip Hop album The Blueprint (2001). The song is also featured on the soundtrack of last year’s movie The Lincoln Lawyer (2011) starring Matthew McConaughey. America's Got Talent semifinalist Queen Emily covered Bland's 1987 hit "No Easy Way to Say Goodbye," on her debut.
Words SIMON REDLEY