Bobby "Blue" Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland - Turn On Your Love Light (1973)

"Turn On" was a big hit for Bobby in 1961 for Duke Records and has been covered by many ever since. Check-out his Northern tracks: Yum Yum Tree 1971 (Duke 421), Back In The Same Old Bag 1966 (Duke 412), Call On Me 1962 (Duke 360), I Ain't Myself Anymore 1966 (Duke 412), Shoes 1967 (Duke 426). Just to name a few.

Bobby "Blue" Bland was born in the small town of Rosemark, Tennessee, USA. Later moving to Memphis with his mother, Bland started singing with local gospel groups there, including amongst others the Miniatures. Eager to expand his interests, he began frequenting the city's famous Beale Street where he became associated with an ad hoc circle of aspiring musicians named, not unnaturally, the Beale Streeters.

Bland's recordings from the early 1950s show him striving for individuality, but any progress was halted by a spell in the U.S. Army. When the singer returned to Memphis in 1954 he found several of his former associates, including Johnny Ace, enjoying considerable success, while Bland's recording label, Duke, had been sold to Houston entrepreneur Don Robey. In 1956 Bland began touring with Little Junior Parker. Initially he doubled as valet and driver, a role he reportedly fulfilled for B. B. King and Rosco Gordon.

Simultaneously, Bland began asserting his characteristic vocal style. Melodic big-band blues singles, including "Farther Up The Road" (1957) and "Little Boy Blue" (1958) reached the US R&B Top 10, but Bobby's craft was most clearly heard on a series of early 1960s releases including "Cry Cry Cry," "I Pity The Fool" and the sparkling "Turn On Your Love Light," which became a much-covered standard. Despite credits to the contrary, many such classic works were written by Joe Scott, the artist's bandleader and arranger. Wikipedia