The Blues Band: British Blues Rock Stalwarts

The Blues Band is a British group dedicated to the performance and preservation of blues and blues rock music. Formed in 1979 by established musicians from the UK rock scene, the band has built a durable career through relentless touring and a deep commitment to the genre's roots.

Early Career

The band was founded in London in 1979 by vocalist and harmonica player Paul Jones, formerly of Manfred Mann, and guitarist Tom McGuinness, who had played with Manfred Mann and The Roosters. They were joined by bassist Gary Fletcher, guitarist Dave Kelly, and drummer Hughie Flint, aiming to revisit the classic electric blues that inspired them. Their self-titled debut album, The Blues Band, was released in 1980, establishing their straightforward, authentic approach to the music.

Breakthrough

The Blues Band found a significant and loyal audience across Europe, particularly in the UK and Germany, through constant live performances rather than chart-topping singles. Their breakthrough to wider recognition came with their energetic live shows and a steady stream of albums throughout the 1980s, including Ready (1980) and Itchy Feet (1991). Their reputation solidified them as one of Britain's premier blues acts, leading to performances at major festivals and sustained radio play for tracks from albums like Back for More (1989).

Key Tracks

Green Stuff - This original track from their debut album became a live favorite, showcasing the band's ability to craft new songs within the traditional blues framework.

Come On In - A staple of their early setlists, this song highlighted the group's tight musicianship and Paul Jones's commanding harmonica skills.

I Ain't Got You - Their cover of this Billy Boy Arnold song, popularized by The Yardbirds, demonstrated the band's direct link to the British blues boom of the 1960s.

Flatfoot - An instrumental track that allowed guitarists Tom McGuinness and Dave Kelly to exhibit their interplay and deep understanding of blues guitar styles.

Looking for You - This later-period track illustrates the band's consistent sound and enduring energy across decades of recording and performance.

The band's lineup has seen changes over the decades, with Rob Townsend replacing Hughie Flint on drums in 1982. Despite these changes, The Blues Band has maintained a prolific output, releasing over twenty studio and live albums. They have collaborated with notable figures like guitarist Zoot Money and have seen former members pursue successful solo projects, all while keeping the core band active on the road and in the studio well into the 21st century.

Fans of The Blues Band's brand of British blues rock often appreciate the work of John Mayall, whose Bluesbreakers were a foundational act for the genre. The music of The Yardbirds shares a similar reverence for American blues traditions filtered through a British rock sensibility. Listeners might also enjoy Manfred Mann, the earlier group where Paul Jones first found fame, which also blended pop with rhythm and blues influences.