Bobby “Blue” Bland (1930-2013) was one of the main creators of the modern soul blues sound. Along with such artists as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Junior Parker, Bland developed a style that mixed gospel with blues and R&B. His anguished voice, with charisma and melisma to spare, was a confident and expressive instrument. Presented here is Blands outstanding debut LP, Two Steps from the Blues, originally released in January 1961, one of the key albums in modern blues, marking a turning point when juke joint blues became seamlessly blended with gospel and southern soul. 1. Two Steps From the Blues 2. Cry, Cry, Cry 3. I M Not Ashamed 4. Don T Cry No More 5. Lead Me On 6. I Pity the Fool 7. How Does a Cheatin Woman Feel? 8. Farther Up the Road 9. Who Will the Next Fool Be? 10. I Ve Just Got To Forget You 11. Little Boy Blue 12. St. James Infirmary 13. I Ll Take Care of You 14. I Don T Want No Woman 15. I Ve Been Wrong So Long 16. Your Friends 17. Stormy Monday Blues
