Originally Posted by: hunter60Thank you Gypsy. You make some solid points for sure. I had completely forgotten about Kenny Wayne's documentary but you're right. He sought out the blues and he did an excellent job of it. You've named some terrific players out there now and I would be totally wrong to say differently. I would never disagree that there are a lot of solid players coming up. But my point was that those desperate, aching primarily acoustic blues are pretty much gone. What these gutsy players do now is different and, as you pointed out, they need to be different. Those old hard dirt blues are gone now only to show up again in tribute or almost as a novelty.

You mention Buddy Guy. I have seen him a number of times myself and I find his to be one of the best live shows ever. When I wrote about him a while back I remember the story he tells of when he relocated to Chicago from Louisiana. Trying to find work, he was desperate. Down to his last few dollars he was ready to call his Dad for money to return home when he was spotted by the Godfather of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters. Muddy fed him a sandwich and vouched for him, helping him getting gigs which allowed him to stay in Chicago. Buddy's life hasn't been easy but man, how glad are we he didn't return home?

Thanks again for reading, the kind words and for the points you've brought up. I appreciate it.

Ahhh yes, I have his autobiography and he tells that story in there, as well as many others of him with Muddy (what I wouldn't have given to see him live!). If you haven't already read it, you should definitely check it out, it's a great book. I understand what you mean about blues not being on many a jukebox nowadays though, but then again, blues hasn't been a "popular" music for a while now, other than with guitar players and musicos like us, sadly :(