Blues Brothers

“By the year 2006, the music known today as the blues will exist only in the the classical records department of your local public library.” - Elwood Blues, 1978.

Preaching to the audience at the Universal Amphitheater in 1978, Elwood said during the opening number of the Blues Brothers' show that much of the music we hear today is “pre-programmed electronic disco”. Elwood's observation of the direction music was heading wasn't very far off when you consider not only how music itself has (d)evolved, but the ways in which we obtain and listen to music today has completely changed.

Elwood never saw this one coming: By the year 2006, people wouldn't be looking for classic blues albums at their local record stores or their local public libraries; we now shop at Amazon.com, the itunes store or download music from thousands of websites and weblog pages just like the one you're viewing right now.

One of my all-time faves, 'Briefcase Full of Blues' is an exciting and terrific Soul/R&B album. The movie and brothers Jake and Elwood Blues of course, have become cultural icons. Enjoy a few tracks from'Briefcase Full of Blues'; it's not only an opportunity to hear “master bluesmen practicing their craft”, it's a chance to reflect on the days when we heard the hiss and crackle of a needle being placed into the leader groove of a 12” vinyl long player on dad's old hi-fi.

Opening - I Can't Turn You Loose

(I Got Everything I Need) Almost

Rubber Biscuit

I Don't Know

Soul Man

And I would be remiss if I didn't include some classics that Curtis no doubt played for Jake and Elwood down in the basement of the St. Helen of the Blessed Shroud Orphanage in Calumet City, Illinois.

Floyd Dixon - Hey Bartender

Willie Mabon - I Don't Know

Big Joe Turner - Flip, Flop & Fly

Taj Mahal - She Caught The Katy