Elwood's Blues: Interviews with the Blues Legends & Stars

This is a fantastic primary history source for music afficianados who view music as a cross-generational tapestry, in addition to individual songs. Dan Aykroyd and Ben Manilla organize this book into three groupings: Blues Legends who synthesized the gengre we now call the blues, Rock Royalty whose music has been inspired by it, and Keepers of the Flame who continue playing the blues closer to it's original style. The authors take a wide view of the blues, and present a tapestry of interviews that show precisely how deep the influence is. Connecting Muddy Waters to ZZ Top is not a huge stretch, but viewing Aerosmith as a 3rd generation recipient of the blues is more interesting. One strength of the book is that Dan Aykroyd was able to capture many greats such as John Lee Hooker and Bo Diddley before they passed. Perhaps that adds another hint of blue to the book - it would have been great to read similar interiews of more legends now passed.

I have seen at least a dozen of the artists interviewed in this book live and I have heard the music of almost all of them. I thought hearing them interact with Dan Aykroyd would be fun and really lighthearted. These interviews are so much more interesting, historical and enlightening than I expected. Anyone that would like to hear about some great musicians experiences, anyone that really wants some help getting into Blues music, anyone that wants some real clear and simple Blues history, anyone that wants to motivate themselves or a young person over the age of 12 to continue or clarify their musical interests would love this book. This book is comfortable reading for anyone. You can read the interviews one at a time or in any order and it won't effect the experience. Aykroyd's knowledge of the Blues is much more significant than I would have expected. I can't remember one question in the whole book that was just for a joke or soley comical reaction. Every musician seemed very comfortable talking to him. Every musician seemed to enjoy this opportunity to tell some real and simple truths about the Blues or their lives. Blues history books can become tedious. In this book once you hear four or five different artists that are not associated with each other describe the same Blues history or musical perspectives you know this book is really something special. Also the Blues discography was a great bonus. After reading the first four interviews I bought a copy as a gift for a friend. By the time I finished this book I had a list of six people that I want to buy copies for, each for a different reason. This book is now my Blues mini-encyclopedia.

I got this book for her christmas she like crazy and I tought she was going jump up and hug me I am not a Blues Brothers fan that much but if this book didn't have any thing but blues music I would did dig it more I love blues music that is it plain and simple so I give this book 5 stars because my sister loves this book you should buy it she says it is great

I really love books like this. The formula was done by E-Street drummer Max Weinberg in The Big Beat, where he interviewed top percussionists. For years it's continued to call to me for yet another reading. I suspect this book will produce similar reactions. There's way too much to absorb all-at-once, even though the book reads so quickly you have to pace yourself down. The lineup is stellar. Understandably, my particular favorite interviews are those on my favorite artists. R.L. Burnside is worth the price of the book alone. But the artist I most was pleasantly surprised by is Taj Mahal. He's far more articulate than I'd've imagined, causing me to retreat to his CD catalogue and re-explore his depth and scope of musical influences. This is blues made accessible. But don't misinterpret that statement as "blues lite." This book's subjects are substantive and worthy. It's a mighty fine tribute to these deserving artists. Perhaps the nicest aspect is how Elwood Blues stays out of the way of his subjects and lets them occupy center-stage, where they justly belong. In the hands of lesser authors, the book coulda easily become a "look at me interviewing a living legend" mess.