YOU ARE HERE: zharth.net / Zharth's Music Log / Week 167 (Blues With A Feeling)
(Originally finalized on November 6, 2025)
Preface: When I was picking out songs for my theme dedicated to feelings last quarter, I had more than I could use, and I noticed that several of them veered into blues territory. So instead of agonizing over my choices, I decided to hold onto the overflow for a future sequel. Now let's do this once more - with a feeling for the blues!
Monday: The Jimmy Dawkins Band - Blues With A Feeling [Blisterstring, 1976]
Comments: A couple of our songs this week have been shared among artists - as is often the case with the blues. So I've had to exercise some discretion in picking who gets to play what. But for the theme's eponymous track, I've chosen my favorite obscure electric blues guitarist - the one and only Jimmy Dawkins. The album's not called "Blisterstring" for no reason. -_^
Tuesday: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Love Her With A Feeling [The Original Lost Elektra Sessions, 1964]
Comments: Blues harp wunderkind Paul Butterfield and his band from the Chicago circuit covered Blues With A Feeling on their debut album from 1965. But the previous year, recording sessions from an originally discarded attempt feature a different blues cover about feelings - Freddie King's (You've Got To) Love Her With A Feeling.
Wednesday: Freddie King - My Feeling For The Blues [My Feeling For The Blues, 1970]
Comments: Speaking of Freddie King - the Texas Cannonball who could belt out a tune just as well as he could bend those strings - he had another song about feelings, too. And it does exactly what it says on the tin. Like B.B.'s song Nobody Loves Me But My Mother, it's short but oh so sweet. I only wish it would go on for a little bit longer...
Thursday: Ten Years After - Feel It For Me [Ten Years After, 1967]
Comments: This is an unassuming track from Ten Years After's debut album. Although it may not be one of their best songs - for all their considerable talent, Ten Years After was a band that didn't really tighten their gears until a few albums in - I think it feels right at home amid the bluesy vibe we've conjured this week.
Friday: Spooky Tooth - Feelin' Bad [Spooky Two, 1969]
Comments: On the subject of unassuming tracks, this is a deep cut from a somewhat obscure band mostly notable for its members' later associations, including young keymaster Gary Wright. Additionally, the bass player was a founding member of Humble Pie; the original guitarist joined Mott The Hoople when Mick Ralphs left to form Bad Company (as we learned in Band Connections); and his replacement, Mick Jones, later formed the band Foreigner!
Saturday: Jeff Beck Group - I Can't Give Back The Love I Feel For You [Jeff Beck Group, 1972]
Comments: This song hails from the Jeff Beck Group's fourth and final album, and the second with their second lineup. After, Beck would form the power trio supergroup (as was the trend at the time) Beck, Bogert & Appice - with the drummer and bass player from Vanilla Fudge - before returning focus to his solo career by the mid-'70s.
Sunday: Harvey Mandel - Million Dollar Feeling [Shangrenade, 1973]
Comments: It kind of contrasts with the mood of the week, but I thought it would be nice to finish on a positive note. After all, what's the point of the blues being a healer, if you never get over your heartsickness? And how often do I get to share a track from Harvey "The Snake" Mandel? Like Jeff Beck, he's another guitarist who's recorded a lot of instrumentals.