HJBB took second place at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, competing against more than 100 other bands. Their bandwagon isn't huge...yet. But they have one and it is growing.
As I listened to the record I tried to reconcile the idea of three kids who likely haven't lived many of the experiences that typically give some the blues could actually be playing them, and I got to thinking. Maybe we're all born with certain emotions hardwired in the DNA and they don't all have to be experienced to be understood. I listen to Otis Rush and Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters and the life I've known is so vastly different than than theirs, yet I connect with the music they've made.
There is an unspoken element in the blues that transcends language. Even if you've never walked a mile in those shoes, something in our humanity is awakened when we hear those sounds. What these kids lack in experience they seem to be learning by studying and embracing the tradition of those that came before them, and they're pretty good at it.
It makes me sad to think that these three kids will soon experience those sadnesses; we all do and they won't be any exception. The difference is the HJBB already speaks a language that might help them to understand and that might save them one day. That language might help them share a piece of the shared sorrows of life in our time. In the meantime, we get to hear the joyful exploration of three kids who have stumbled onto a path of discovery of one of the deepest, richest musical traditions in human history.
The bandwagon just got bigger by one. There are still seats. Hop on board. You won't be lonely.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Nice review, big ass picture.
The idea of these kids playing music as pure as the blues, rather then taking the much easier road available today of glorifying guns, gangs, and violence is one that I find really refreshing.
The blues at it's core has always been about the most commonly shared of human experiences, and the emotions which accompany them. It's not as flashy (or unfortunately romantic) as slanging and banging, but it is certainly far more real as far as being about the most commonly shared elements of the human experience goes.
What your review tells me more than anything is that these kids are probably already grown up far beyond their years. And like I said, that is something that gives me hope.
Nice job as always Mr. Josh.
-Glen
2 - Josh Hathaway
Gee, that picture was huge. If only an editor would have resized it for me. *ahem, cough ahem* I've fixed that now.
The kids seem pretty well grounded in that CBS piece where they're interviewed and the CD is quite good. Blues fans should check 'em out. They have a future in this.
Thanks for reading/commenting, Iguana Glen.
3 - Glen Boyd
Sorry about that Josh. Once I moved it to where it wasn't bumping up against the ads, I thought it looked okay, hugeness notwithstanding of course.
Proof I guess that size really does matter.
-Glen
4 - Tom L.
I have watched these kids for some time now. They are really amazing, both musically and as individuals. They are talented far beyond their years and they have excellent stage presence, but when they get off of the stage, they are quite simply just "great kids."
Their mom and dad are committed to their success and as proud as you might guess. I keep telling them that soon I will be able to say, "I knew them when...." As it's turning out, that may be coming sooner than later!
Thanks for writing your review about these fine young entertainers. They are continuing the the tradition, bringing new attention to roots of the greatest genre of American Music.
5 - Joanie
Sometimes age isn't as much an issue as we make it out to be.
We are so lucky to have talented kids like these ushering the blues into the future.
6 - patsy
These kids are awesome, we recently saw them perform in Memphis over the labor day weekend! We loved it!!