From:   Flippar
Date:  Sat Jan 26, 2002  8:39 pm
Subject:  Born To Be With You - Bobby Bland
 
BOBBY BLAND

Robert Calvin Bland, born January 27th 1930 in Rosemark Tennessee.
Moved to Memphis and sang in gospel groups. Soon gravitated to the blues
joints on Beale Street. Recorded for Duke records but called up to the army
in early 50s. Returned to find the infamous Don Robey had purchased the
label. Worked as valet and driver for BB King and Junior Parker before
finding his own style of singing and subsequent success. NB His adopted style
leaned heavily on the sophisticated T-Bone Walker sound.

Farther On Up The Road was a blues top 10 in 1957 and he had more success in
the early 60s with Who Will The Next Fool Be, I Pity The Fool and Turn On
Your Lovelight. Big influence on the Celtic "soul" boys like ex grave digger
Rod Stewart and ex window cleaner Van Morrison (hope you've kept those jobs
open boys!!) but to these ears they` re bland and not Bland as it were. Far
more importantly heroes like ex Bible student Jerry LeeLewis and ex airman
Charlie Rich, were partial to covers of Bland blues.

Much of the credit for the arrangements on the classic Bland sides should go
to the unsung hero of this tale - his bandleader Joe Scott (died 1979).
Alcoholic problems nearly ended Bobby` s career in the late 60s before he
revived to forge a highly successful partnership with his old boss B B King
in the 70s. Bobby Blue Bland continues to tour and record (mainly in the
Southern soul style) today.

Recommended listening
Both on Ace
The 3bs Blues Boy (early Duke sides 1952-59)
The Voice (1959-69)