WITH ME ~

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.

EARTH ~

25 BELOW AND
ALL IS STILL



When the axe

handle busted

after thirty

years



(it was

fatigue)



I came inside

with two logs for

the wood fire and

added the axe head



to the fire —

it burned the old

wood handle out

clean



(we two who

heat a home)







photo © bob arnold