Can a white guy really sing Blues?

I don't think so. Clapton and so many others really try. But that's what it sounds like. They're trying. I like Clapton and others, but it just does'nt cut it for me. I'm sure their is someone out there that can do it naturally, but I haven't heard about him. Just wondering if anybody else feels this way.

John

 

I would say there are white artists that have the feel and others that try to copy a style. I would say Elvis definitely had the feel for the blues, although he actually never recorded a blues album. His eight-minute impromptu version of the blues classic "Merry Christmas Baby" during a 1971 studio session is a prime example...
-wolf

 

There are maybe few white guys who comes really, really close to sing the blues.
Gregg Allman for instance.

 

I second the vote for Elvis. He could convincingly sing the blues.

Captain Beefheart is another.

 

Nope !!!

John Lennon made a good stab at it with "YER BLUES".

 

Gary Moore does a great job. Jack Bruce too!

 

Jack Bruce
James Dewar
Robin Trower knew how to pick them!

 

Peter Green

 

I basically agree with the sentiment of this thread, although for real blues sounding white guys, my vote is for Paul Butterfield.

 

Chris Farlowe, John Mayall

 

Van Morrison?

 

Delbert McClinton!

 

How can you tell me that Gregg Allman cannot sing the blues?

Why does it have to be a color thing? The blues are about feelings, not the color of your skin.

 

He can't play Blues, and he can't sing Blues.

 

True, but some certainly seem to have more feeling than others. I'm with you John . . . Clapton is a prime example of someone who has never "cut it for me" either.

 

Consider . . . Jonny Lang

 

I also vote for Elvis - Merry Christmas Baby / Steamroller Blues / Like A Baby / Reconsider Baby / One Night - all stellar tracks and shows that the man had the soul for this genre.

Another artist that I think can sing his ass off when it comes to blues is Travis Tritt - check Leave My Girl Alone on the T-R-O-U-B-L-E album, great stuff.

 

It's not the same blues.

Here's an analogy in the art/anthropology world

Navaho wares for the Navaho = 1920-50 Blues
Navaho wares for the tourist = 1960 Blues revival
Navaho inspired wares for commerce = 1970+ "blues informed popular music"

 

as the Bonzos sang "Can blue men sing the whites?"

 

British blues singer Long John Baldry! Though not the blues a lot of people thought Tom Jones was black when he first came out.

Tenna Marie who played with Rick James in the early 80's, has a huge black following. She does everything from blues, R&B, and is credited for being the first female rapper.

 

srv

 

Is this a group?

 

Yes, you know it is
the Hopi Dolls and Cherokee Gamblers are also of this genre

 

What label?

 

It was Native, now I think it's Indigenous, no wait that's a band...and they sing the blues don't they? So, hey, can a Native American sing the blues? They're closer to the Delta than Winwood ever was...


...hmmm, wouldn't this whole topic warrant a fist in the eye from Lomax?