Two Steps From The Blues - Bobby Bland (1LP Vinyl)

Two Steps From The Blues by Bobby Bland.

Few records capture the crossroads of blues, soul, and gospel with the elegance that Bobby Bland brings to "Two Steps From The Blues." From the opening title track, this is a record that walks a fine line between heartbreak and hope, and Bland's voice, warm and pleading, is the compass that guides you through every turn. It is a cornerstone of a certain kind of American music, the sort of album that shows how the church and the barroom were never really that far apart.

Side A moves with a purposeful grace. "Two Steps From The Blues" sets the tone, followed by the pleading urgency of "Cry Cry Cry" and the quiet dignity of "I'm Not Ashamed." Then comes "Don't Cry No More," a song of reassurance offered with genuine tenderness, before "Lead Me On" and the unforgettable "I Pity The Fool" close the side. That last one, with its cool disdain and simmering intensity, remains one of Bland's signature performances and a reason all its own to own this pressing.

Flip the record over and the emotional range only deepens. "I've Just Got To Forget You" and "Little Boy Blue" carry the ache of longing, while Bland's reading of the traditional "St. James Infirmary" pulls the album into darker, more haunting territory. It is a bold inclusion, a piece of standard repertoire reshaped in his own image, and it sits comfortably alongside the original material.

The back half continues to reward close listening. "I'll Take Care Of You" is a slow, devotional promise of a song, one of the most covered numbers in Bland's catalog and a highlight of the record. "I Don't Want No Woman" and the closing "I've Been Wrong So Long" round out Side B, ending the album on a note of hard-won honesty that feels earned after everything that has come before.

The presentation matches the music. Design work comes from Dzondria LaISAC and Rene Williams, while Dzondria LaISAC also contributes the liner notes, giving the package a considered, cohesive feel that frames Bland's performances with the respect they deserve. It is the kind of attention to detail that makes a record feel like an object worth holding, not just a playlist to spin.

For collectors of vintage blues and soul, this is essential listening and an essential acquisition. Bobby Bland stands among the great voices of his era, and "Two Steps From The Blues" is widely regarded as his finest statement. Here at Miles Waxey, we are proud to offer a record that continues to move listeners decades after it first found its audience.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Two Steps From The Blues
A2. Cry Cry Cry
A3. I'm Not Ashamed
A4. Don't Cry No More
A5. Lead Me On
A6. I Pity The Fool
B1. I've Just Got To Forget You
B2. Little Boy Blue
B3. St. James Infirmary
B4. I'll Take Care Of You
B5. I Don't Want No Woman
B6. I've Been Wrong So Long

Credits:
Dzondria LaISAC - Design
Rene Williams - Design
Dzondria LaISAC - Liner Notes

Artist: Bobby Bland

Format: 1LP

Genre: Blues

Label: Duke

Catalog Number: DLP 74

Release Year: 2012

Country: United States

Condition: Sealed (New)