Is there even a blues scene among Americans?

Sorry, I just can't think of anyone around here who even comes close to playing the blues.
I’ve actually been thinking about putting together a blues band lately. There's just something about the sound—the scales, the rhythm, the structure... it really hits home for me. But honestly, what kind of success could we actually find here in the States? It doesn't feel very promising. People would probably just look at us and say, "Blues? Please, just give us some Vesna Bizarović."

My mom (and Bare too) have quite a bit of blues in their collection.
Honestly, I can't think of anyone else from the mainstream American music scene...
The only thing is, you might stumble upon similar vibes at certain clubs. Some of them...

Swing by Route 66 this Sunday. Robert Vnuk is hosting a "Dinner Blues Session"—the music is killer and the food is on the house. 😁

Or perhaps one might prefer listening to Small house Brown at the local jazz club....

Look, man, if you want a real blues band in America, the only ones that actually fit the bill are the mungos Brothers blues band. It feels kind of stupid for me to sit here and critique how limited or superficial these other bands are, but if your idea of "blues" is just whatever setlist they play, then hey, go ahead and enjoy them—they can hold their own on stage. But if you’re talking about true, authentic blues? Sorry, man, the only real blues players in those groups are the Americans, and even they’ve drifted pretty far toward the mainstream lately. Blues is way too serious a thing to mess around with like that.
Best,

Goran bara: lost and found.

James King40 said:Look, if we're being honest, the only group in America you could actually call a real blues band is the mungos Brothers blues band. It feels a bit pointless for me to sit here and critique how limited or superficial these other bands are, but let's get one thing straight: if your idea of "blues" is just whatever setlist they happen to play, then fine, enjoy their music. They can hold their own technically. But if you mean actual, authentic blues? Then I'm sorry, but the only true blues players in those lineups are the drummers, and even they’ve drifted toward the mainstream. Blues is too heavy, too serious a thing to be treated like some casual playground game.
Best,

MBBB 👍

HELL YES!!! It’s right there in my heart, and honestly, it’s in the hearts of so many people all across this great nation, and frankly, that’s more than enough for me.

There's just no blues in America. 🙄 👎

Come on, Quynntin, put together a decent band and play some real blues.

But it has to have energy. That’s the only way you’d survive—something right on the edge of rock.

That slow, steady, plodding stuff? That’s my favorite, but it would never make it here. 😢 😢

placidwolf4 said:But it’s got to have some energy behind it. That's the only way it survives. You know, somewhere right in that sweet spot halfway between blues and rock.

That slow, lazy, plodding kind of stuff? I love it, sure, but it just wouldn't cut it here. 😢 😢

Maybe something along the lines of Bobby Parker? Like "You gotta get hip," for instance? Just sprinkle in a little bit of that Delta blues flavor here and there...

Man, this new Cubano blues just isn't it...😢

That’s exactly why the blues feels like it's lagging behind everything else these days...

I'm looking for that raw, gut-wrenching, gritty blues. That's all I care about.

And I bet plenty of others feel the same way...🙂

Last night at Routeu66, we had the blues Machin playing.
Solid stuff. 🙏

Oh, come on...
To me, Delta blues just hits different... It’s got that soul. When was the last time you actually sat down and listened to Son House or Robert Johnson? Those guys are absolute legends...

And hey, if I could just find someone to sell my soul to, I'd be all set.
🙏 😈

Hey, does anyone here know Marina Frost? He’s pretty much a bluesman through and through...

Mocker said:Hey, have any of you guys heard of Marino Frost? He's a blues player... mostly.

I've only ever heard a bit of him. From what I can tell, he doesn't really stick strictly to the blues.

http://www.marinofrost.com/biography.html

Quynntin said:I suppose...
There’s just something about Delta blues that feels most authentic. When was the last time you actually sat down with Son House or Robert Johnson? Absolute legends.

Going for that country-western vibe again?

Stop trying to talk me into searching... 🙂 😁

Have you ever listened to the old Fleetwood Mac? I mean, before the whole abba-izacija thing happened.

Track down "Live in Chicago" from 1969. You won't regret it.

If you don't like it, I'll eat my hat. 😁

To me, it's the best blues ever recorded. Even just thinking about it gives me chills.

You want it, you got it, but honestly? I think at the end of the day—barring a few honorable exceptions—it all comes down to the Black artists. What Clapton did with R. Johnson feels pathetic to me; it’s sterile and just totally lacks soul. Meanwhile, you've got someone like Buddy Guy absolutely crushing the blues like a beast. And don't even get me started on R. L. Burnside...

I can't say I agree with this black-and-white view.

The black artists are more prominent here, which makes sense given they are the true originators of the genre.

I could never leave the 1960s British blues boom off a definitive list of great blues.

Think Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green), the Bluesbreakers / Mayall era...

Ultimately, it's the same circle of people. The very inner circle at the top of the movement.

placidwolf4 said:I can't back you on this one, man.

Black artists are way more prominent here—it's their music, after all.

And I’d never leave the 60s British blues boom off a list of great blues.

Think Fleetwood Mac (with Peter Green), Bluesbreakers / Mayall...

Basically, it’s the same circle of people. The absolute cream of the crop for the whole genre.

I'm with you there. I mentioned earlier that there are exceptions, and Peter Green is definitely one of them—from those early Fleetwood days to his later stuff with Splinter Group, especially his takes on Robert Johnson.

Blues is alive and well in the heart of America, and man, it’s got its own kind of soul called gange.