B.B. King -- RIP

B.B. King passed away, having managed to fully live a full eight decades and a portion of a ninth. The blues legend lived large, sang larger, and played guitar with a unique style. When you heard a B.B. King song, you knew it was his song. His music spoke to human truth and a reality as far away from algorithmic "solutions" as one could imagine.

I never saw King perform in person. However, when I listened to his music, especially his early recordings, I felt his presence. Rest in peace, B.B. and thank you.

Blues Musician Michael Greene -- RIP

Settlin' Up The Score
Michael Greene & Bob Guida

A friend recently made a Facebook post that blues musician Mike Greene passed away. I never met Greene, nor did I see him perform. I only know his recorded musical collaboration with Bob Guida, which I enjoy very much and play with some frequency.

The notice includes some teaser anecdotes about Greene's life, including playing hooky with his brother at Jack Ruby's Dallas nightclub. A bit more chillingly, the post also states Greene was at Parkland Hospital the afternoon of JFK's assassination. I can't corroborate either story. What matters more is Greene's music, which remains with us in all its energy and spirit.

Blues Like They Never Went Away

I purchase music online via a monthly deal with a legitimate Internet music provider. I principally use the service to purchase new or relatively new releases in music I enjoy, such as funkand its "neo" offspring, acid jazz, soulful female vocalists, downtempo, old school r&b and vintage jazz, some dance, some electronic, some soundtracks, and an occasional rap or Latin song.

In my zeal to accumulate, I neglected music from where I began my most ardent listening -- the blues. One reason for missing the exit for the blues was that I have a slender vinyl collection, along with some 45s and 78s. I like them, although from a serious collector's perspective, these relics of long-gone vinyl eras are nothing special. However, they've always been there, through the good times and bad, analogous to an insecure child's stuffed animal. Still, I ignored the recordings in my recently reawakened desire to understand and enjoy contemporary music.

The music provider recently offered me some extra tracks for free. These allowed me to consider purchasing some blues. I bought some, and I've included images of three musicians -- Blind Lemon Jefferson, Howlin' Wolf, and Charley Patton -- to provide a sense of my taste in blues.

The listening feels good.