Blues Saturday Night #3

TUNAGE

Finally, I’m back. It’s been a long road to get here. Sometimes, I thought I would never return. Yeah, it be like that at times. The ole’ folk would say, “Boy ain’t wrong with you, but the blues. It’ll pass. If you let it.” I didn’t know what they meant then, but it stuck. It’s one of those lessons you don’t quite remember until you need it. It slips from the shadow, stares you in the face, then winks.

Yeah, you’d hear music playing in rooms filled with smoke and laughter. You don’t know what’s going on, but you know it’s something you don’t want to miss. Mama, auntie, and cousins whose names you never could remember, but you know them by sight. They were never around until the party. They’d snap their fingers and sway their hips to this groove. A groove not heard every day. A groove reserved for special nights after dark.

I told you I started this session on Saturdays because I’m a fan. But, I held back something. Earlier, I told you about my editor and my differences in musical tastes, but we are united in our love for the blues. So, I created this session just as much for her as I have for myself. So, I welcome you all to join us each Saturday to listen and enjoy a little Blues.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

One of the first songs I heard by Elvis was “Hound Dog.” But it wasn’t the first time I had the song. During those parties I mentioned earlier, I listened to this track.

Her voice, energy, and passion snatched ahold of me and never let go. I won’t let it. You see, most women around me were big, like Big Mama Thornton. They were loud, enigmatic, and laughed with their whole bodies. Years later, I saw Big Mama Thornton for the first time on TV. I laughed so loud and heartily that my wife asked me what was going on. I just smiled and said she’s just like I always imagined.

Here is another favorite of mine …

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Big Mama wasn’t the only big voice playing through my childhood. I also listened to this guy.

Here’s another favorite of his

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I also listened to songs like this as well …

They would sit tapping their feet, mouthing the words. Sometimes, when it hit them just right, they’d close their eyes, tilt their heads back, and sway. They’d catch me watching them and say things like, “That’s good ole’ music there, huh boy?” then you’d hear somewhere in the room, “Don’t nobody like that, but you old crusty self.” The room would explode into a roar of laughter, and the old would wave a dismissive hand toward the room and return to his happy place.

Here’s a version of the same song from when I was an adult.

When this movie came out, I had been married for years. I wore a slight smile as the scene played. Once the scene was over, I looked at my wife, and she wore a similar smile.

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The Blues is one of those genres of music that is regional, like dialects. You can’t live in an area of the country and think you know the Blues. You’ll get yourself embarrassed. I know I did. Back when I used to be sweaty in one of those juke joints like in that scene … wink. It was two dollars a pint, but you could buy 2 for 3. Sodas were 50 cents.

I’ll leave you tonight with a little Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm. Say that real fast twice…