Beating The Blues With Bobby

Bobby Bland: "Who Will The Next Fool Be", "Yield Not To Temptation"
From: The Anthology [original 45s released on Duke Records, 1962]

Bobby Bland: "Shoes"
From: Duke 45 [Duke Records, 1967]

Throughout the `50s and `60s hundreds of R&B singers were supposed to make radio hits whether they had talent or not. In that respect, nothing has changed in the present R&B industry, but while perpetrators mask themselves as originators, history remembers the distinct. Like I was a diabetic on a bag of sugar, Bobby "Blue" Bland's vocal kicks send shivers through my body and for that reason alone, he is remembered.

Bland's early career started in the late-40s with with Johnny Ace, Earle Lacy Forrest, Rosco Gordon, Tuff Green, Junior Parker and B.B. King, together they formed a group called Beale Streeters. The group had a string of singles that included, "My Song", "Cross My Heart", "Too Close To Heaven" and "The Clock", but the men seperated to pursue solo careers. In 1951 Bland had a 45 on Chess Records with "A Letter From A Trench In Korea" and "Cryin'", ironically, Bland joined the army in 1952 and was discharged in 1955.

Bland was signed by Duke Records in 1952, but did not see a successful single until 1955. Today, I bring three of Bland's singles from the 60s, the era when Bland saw the height of his success. Although 1960's "Cry, Cry, Cry" and 1962's "I Pitty The Fool" are Bland's sure-shot singles, "Who Will The Next Fool Be" and "Yeild Not To Temptation" are for lack of better words, fiya!

"Who Will The Next Fool Be" sounds like a classic Ray Charles session and likely, Charles was an inspiration to Bland. I can say for certain that Bland's powerful vocal bursts are influenced by Rev. C.L. Franklin, Aretha Franklin's father, and Soloman Burke probably had influenced Bland, too. The song's beautiful arrangement has a penetrating sax that could be a number of session players: Jimmy Beck, Johnny Board, Bobby Forte or Monk Higgins, regardless, the sax helps to peak Bland's scorching vocal kicks. After a few listens to "Who Will The Next Fool Be", I knew the song had to be a cover and it turns out that country singer, Charlie Rich, had originally written and released the song in 1961, a year before Bland covered it.

Whenever I hear "Yield Not To Temptation" immediately I think of Ray Charle's "You Are My Sunshine", which is a brillent piece in its own right. "Yeild Not To Temptation" is a gospel crossover turned sinful with its fast rhythm and soulful sax, which I'll guess is Monk Higgins, because of the slighty funky horn style, a style that Higgins drifted into by the late-60s. At this point, Bland was a sex symbol and I'm sure this joint had women dancing all over America.

"Shoes" is an oddball song for Bland and to be truthful, I don't know too much about it. "Shoes" is a northern soul favorite and was released on Duke in 1967 as the A-side with "Touch Of The Blues" as the B-side (depending on what issue you have, it could be reversed). "Shoes" definately has a Motown sound to it, which is uncharacteristic of Bland's work, but he adjusts well to the tempo change. His earthy voice still sends shivers though the body, no matter how danceable "Shoes" sounds.