When Bear Family released ‘Dreamer’ by Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland (1930 - 2013) on vinyl for the first time since its original release, we had no idea of the demand for this record. In 1973/'74, Steve Barri produced two albums in Los Angeles with perhaps the greatest soul/blues singer of all time, which both met with a mixed reception at the time. After more than 50 years, however, ‘Dreamer’ (BAF18029) and its predecessor ‘His California Album’ sound so ‘hung up’, cool and timeless, fantastic classics. The chant of the church combined with deep blues in Bland's interpretation is incredibly moving, the melancholy in his voice sounds so emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, at times cool and soft. Bland could be tough, but he also possessed the crooner qualities of Nat ‘King’ Cole, for example. With both LPs on ABC Dunhill and the subsequent records with B.B. King, he reached a wider and white audience. ‘His California Album’ - the perfect synthesis of black soul and blues from the South and the coolness and laid-back attitude of Los Angeles.

1. This Time I'm Gone For Good
2. Up and Down World
3. It's Not the Spotlight
4. (If Loving You is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right
5. Goin' Down Slow
6. The Right Place At the Right Time
7. Help Me Through the Day
8. Where Baby Went
9. Friday the 13th Child
10. I've Got To Use My Imagination