3 replies to this topic

[Dauber]

Just wanted to know what you all think, besides songs the Blues Brothers did, one "must" know to be any kind of self-respecting blues musician.

The reason I'm asking is that during my most recent go-round with taking a Chicago Blues Harp class at the Old Town School of Folk Music, one of the lectures focused on improvising a harmonica part with a chromatic harmonica on "The Thrill Is Gone." We were told what to tell the band (the temp, groove, key, etc.) when you get up to play it, and one guy in the class commented, "Do you REALLY want to deal with a band who doesn't already know this song anyway?"

So I'm thinking some of such tunes:
- "The Thrill Is Gone," of course
- perhaps "Crossroad Blues"/"Crossroads"
- "Buzz Me Babe" / "I'm A King Bee" by Slim Harpo

But what else?? I know in the harmonica world "Juke" by Little Walter is probably at the top of the list, but what about the general blues world? What are some blues tunes that you think someone NEEDS to know?? Not so much because they're good, but because they're, I guess, expected???

[Cropper Classic]

WOW! This could be a long and possibly never ending list......

That is a tough one to answer! Hmmmm......

[FatJim]

In my mind, blues and Muddy are synonymous. If a band didn't know "Hoochie Coochie Man", I'm a Man" or "I'm Ready", then I'd sack 'em!

[Syd-Blues]

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