Review: Blues master's music still a powerful gift

Review: Blues master's music still a powerful gift
May 30, 2009

By Curtis Schieber
FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The "new" Lincoln Theatre -- its history jump-started after 40 years of darkness by $13.5 million and a great personal investment from Mayor Michael B. Coleman -- turned 2 last night. Days, that is.

It would have been easy for the venue's spectacular renovation, its rich heritage and crucial place in Columbus culture to eclipse Bobby "Blue" Bland's first appearance in town in a long time.

But Bland's own place in blues music, on the popular charts and sheer longevity, in theory, were up to the challenge. The singer reaches 80 in January; he recorded his first sides for the Duke label in 1952.

And Bland remained the focus last night -- not just with his track record, but with a 90-minute performance that was musically sweet and full of irrefutable classics. He topped it with grace and the skill born of a half-century touring.

Most important, his instrument was little compromised in its dramatic impact. Though he was led to front stage and had to sit the entire set, Bland sang with remarkable pitch and a control that contradicted the diminished volume in his voice.

He delivered Further On Up The Road with a trademark falsetto that just sounded better the higher it got. His voice was sweet as honey and right on the money on That's The Way Love Is; it was downright spooky, sending a chill up the bone in I'll Take Care Of You.

As he sat and rummaged through many tunes from a huge songbook of chart hits, he seemed to be recalling not only memories of singing some of these songs for five decades but the experiences that founded their emotions.

The audience, populated by longtime fans, obviously shared many of them with the singer.

Bland performed with a competent if unimpressive band that nonetheless followed him closely and gave him the room to tell his own story. If it wasn't as fresh as the paint on the theater's beautifully refurbished digs, it was nearly as timeless as the Egyptian theme that anchors its design.

Columbus blues stalwart Willie Pooch, significantly influenced by Bland, opened with the terrific Upsetters in a short but passionate set.