LEEBO’S MUSICOLOGY 101: Blues is Truth

We’re starting a new section here on THE LEEBO SHOW.

This is a part of the show called Leebo’s Musicology 101. It is meant to share my opinion and love of music with you, and you know who you are, whoever you are.

Right now, I am going through a very tough time. Music is helping me cope, with hope. So, I am going to talk a little about it.

The opinions expressed here are completely my own and should you disagree or be offended by them, well, kiss my ass, whoever you are.

If you don’t like it, bite me.

Today, we are going to talk about the Blues, specifically, we are going to talk about how it seems to be vanishing from the musical landscape due to an indifference by the inventors and purveyors of Blues Music, black people.

We are also going to discuss how, ironically, this great art form is having its torch carried by white people.

We are also going enlighten you on the irony of Blues music by explaining just how stupid black people and white people really are.

My favorite music is Blues music. I love The Blues. I listen to many kinds of music, but I always have one foot in the Blues pond. To me, it is the quintessential, purest form of music I have ever heard. I think it is one of the single greatest achievements of humanity as a whole.

In this difficult point in my life, nothing gives me more hope than The Blues. If you don’t understand that statement, you don’t understand The Blues and you probably never will. Go back to listening to NPR, rap and/or crap.

Blues music originated in the cotton field, where many called it the “work song”. People sung as they tended to the fields, the work songs being combinations of gospel, country and blues music. Keep this in mind, it will become important later.

In the 1910’s and 20’s, blues music started to be recorded, by folks like Hart Wand and W.C Handy. Later, Memphis’ Beale Street would feature Blues as a backdrop for their clubs, including the famous Cotton Club. The likes of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Tampa Red and of course, Robert Johnson flourished. For the next 30 years, Blues nurtured and flourished with Bessie Smith, “Ma” Rainey and Big Bill Broozy and many other greats.

Then in the 50’s, blues went electric, thanks to Muddy Waters. Then, holy shit, did it explode. And despite what many folk say it exploded because of a white guy who borrowed (not stole) the best that black music had to offer: Elvis Presley.

Flash-forward several years to me. Me. MEEEEEEEEEE.

Like most dumb white people, my blues influence started with Elvis Presley. This was the first Blues, and probably the only Blues played in my house when I was a kid. I didn’t know I was listening to Blues…. at the time, it was just The King. But it paved the way.

Then one night, when I was 15, at Ron Hammond’s house, I was at a party. And everyone was getting action from chicks except me and Paul Koch. All of them had adjourned to different rooms. Pauly was passed out drunk on the couch. He had gotten into somebody’s parents’ gin.

I had gotten into the gin too, but was nowhere near passout stage. So I went into Ron’s records (remember them?) and put on Ron’s big, Princess Leia-style headphones (remember them?) and listened to Eric Clapton’s JUST ONE NIGHT.

All 4 sides. (Remember sides?)

It changed me. And it was the start of 2 things: My lifelong love of Blues and my Giant, Toxic Liver.

I became Eric Clapton’s greatest fan (Sorry, Cheryl, it’s true.) I delved into blues and learned its roots. I grabbed all I could, and I soon realized, that rock music is blues-based. I heard blues in the music I was listening to, in Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and I sure as hell heard blues in the Stones and Cream. And don’t let anyone tell you AC/DC isn’t a blues band. They are.

Of course, I was listening to most music 10-15 years my junior at the time. I assure you, there is no blues in REO Speedwagon. Or Loverboy. That’s all crap.

I became aware of how far reaching this phenom was, and how important it was to American music. People like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Robert Cray, Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan, Junior Wells, Elmore James, Steve Miller and others became my mantra. Extremely important people to me, and instrumental in my development into the retard I am, I assure you.

Now here’s the kicker.

Black youth of today hate blues. Because it originated from the ‘work song” they consider it “slave music”. Yet, hip-hop and rap, which, in my opinion, represent nothing substantial, are their particular choice of music. And with most white youth as well.

You really get a viewpoint of when you see some pasty faced, little, zit-faced white guy at the red light blaring out crappy hip-hop music. Jeez, get fucking real, willya?

I sat at LEGEND’S in Chicago in the 80’s and talked personally with Buddy Guy. I told him there were too many white people in his club and he lamented to me on how black youth considers his art form “shit” and they totally disregard its merit. It hit home with me. Here, was an incredible artist who I respected and admired, lamenting, because youth in his race were rejecting him and what he cultivated, and loved.

WAKE UP, BLACK PEOPLE.

He said the same thing last Thursday night at Ruth Eckerd Hall. And indeed, B.B. King mentioned similar tidings. “Lord knows there’s no blues on the radio anymore.” Buddy said that. He’s right. That’s a future post.

And there was a substantial white contingent in the crowd for this show. And guess what? Here are two LEGENDS, performing brilliantly. And during BB’s show, it started to run a little toward midnight, on a work night, and ….many white people started walking out.

Hello? Walking out during the great BB King? I know you have to be at work tomorrow, but what the hell?

This man is a legend. At, 83, he has come out and performed at a VERY high level for you. And you want to beat traffic. You stupid, white people. You stupid, insipid, shallow white people.

WAKE UP, WHITE PEOPLE.

So, there you have it. Black people are stupid for ignoring their greatest contribution to music of the 20th century. And white people are stupid for walking out on its greatest artist to beat a little traffic.

Leebo on Beale Street, Memphis, TN

I’ll always have one foot in the Blues pond. I love the music. I love the way it evokes a response in me. I love everything about it. I love Blues. Blues is truth.

And I’ll never walk out on BB King.

Never.

Stupid white people.

And you’re damn right I got the Blues.

From my head down to my shoes.