"I'm fascinated by the things people say -- they try to tell me what I should play. Critics, pickers, radio too - they say I play too hard, I oughta play more blue. I know my music, and I know my name. Don't cut no hit records, don't play no T.V. game. My blues got rocked and my rock got blue. If you don't dig it, well find something else to do." These lyrics from the title track pretty much sum it up. If you're just looking for blues, this is not the
Bugs Henderson CD you want. If you just like to listen to him rock out, this isn't the one either. Have Blues ... Must Rock has some hard rock ("No One Owns the Blues," "Chain Me") and some blues ("My Baby," "Thirteen Ways"), but it also contains a dark ballad ("Lovin' Yourself), some country (
Billy Joe Shaver's "Tramp on Your Street") and other miscellaneous styles. There's a version of
Merle Haggard's "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" and a funky, rocking version of
Freddie King's "Hide Away."
Henderson has earned the right to play that one any way he wants, since he probably played it hundreds of times as a member of King's band in the '70s. "Uncle John" is a touching, slower song featuring some very nice guitar and interesting chords. It is one of the strongest tunes on the album. Most of the originals, however, are generally weak and most of the lyrics sound very contrived. ~ Ann Wickstrom