When you settle into a night of Bobby Blue Bland, you settle into those early Duke records, even though at age 80 the lion of the blues is going on strong. Born in 1930 in Tennessee and raised in Memphis, I'm pulling up two gems from Bland's 1974 album Dreamer. Those Duke recordings are behind him here, so is alcoholism, some rocky relationships, and bands. He's got the look and sound all his own. The ideal blend of gospel, blues, R&B, and nothing comes easy.
