Etta James once said "I sing the songs that people need to hear." As winter approaches with all of its wet, cold and blustery fury, our thoughts turn a melancholy shade of blue and we start counting down the days until the sun comes out for good. Until then, we need to be sung to more than ever.
The North Oregon Coast is a beautiful place, moderate in temperature year-round when compared to other parts of the county. The springs are mild and full of bloom, the summers warm and comforting, and the autumns crisp and bright. But ask any permanent resident about winter and you will get that look that suggests they just ate a whole lemon. Winter is wet. Winter is grey. Winter is windy. And, depending on the year, winter is long. How do we cope? Besides visiting our local taverns daily, watching complete TV series on DVD in one sitting, and dreaming of Hawaii, we listen to music. We turn up our stereos to '11' and do our best to drown out the sound of pummelling rain.
Nothing conquers a dull, slate-grey and wet Oregon Coast day better than the sound of the blues. The blues counteract the incessant rain and allows us a release. We can moan with Muddy Waters, howl with Howlin' Wolf and air-guitar our sodden cares away with BB King. Who cares if the gutters are leaking, the driveway is under water and the rose bushes have been beaten to a pulp. The blues saves and here are three of my favorite winter-time saviors.
Eric Clapton: From the Cradle
This is a covers compilation from a fantastic artist. "Slowhand" remakes a collection of blues standards with a sonic twist and throaty vocals. "It Hurts Me Too" features a killer guitar intro and Clapton's singing channels Howlin' Wolf. Other highlights include "Motherless Child," a largely acoustic number, and "Blues Before Sunrise," which could describe any Oregonians feelings about waking up to another wet morning.
www.ericclapton.com/album/cradle
Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack: Welcome
A highly underrated and overlooked album, this was a breakout for Bramhall who spent much of his early career touring with Clapton and BB King and writing songs for other artists. Here, Bramhall kicks out all the stops, opening the album with "Green Light Girl," a riff-heavy showstopper. "Problem Child" starts with one of the great guitar riffs of all time and is a moody, heavy sing-along song. My favorite is "So You Want it to Rain."
www.doylebramhall2nd.com/home.htm
Buddy Guy: Greatest Hits
My favorite guitar player of all time, Buddy Guy is peerless and handles the guitar like a third arm. He can rip out a heavy chord like "Damn RIght I've Got the Blues" or play an upbeat toe-tapper like "Midnight Train." His voice is soaked in the blues and after listening to him for twenty-plus years, I am convinced he is getting better.
www.buddyguy.net
There are many more. With winter fast-approaching everywhere, it is time to stock up you music collection with plenty of blues music; luckily there are enough to choose from. So cozy up to a nice fire and let the blues wash over you. Because once that rain starts to fall, the only thing that will get you through is music.
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