Trio forgets why the blues exist

At its inception, the blues was usually about the individual. Whether it was Blind Lemon Jefferson with his guitar or Ma Rainey in the Harlem spotlight, the blues, at least in the beginning, was a solo effort.\nHowever, although the blues was and is frequently performed by a lone individual, the emotional and spiritual power of the music has the ability to be universal, to tap into the hearts and souls of every listener. Son House and Billie Holiday might have been singing on their own, but their music has impacted the lives of millions of dedicated fans.\nHence comes Sisters & Brothers, a collaboration between three modern-day blues artists that tries to put into words and sounds the feeling of family that they believe runs through the blues community.\nAnd it's an admirable and heartfelt effort. Rory Block shows her guitar mastery on "Rock Daniel" and "Maggie Campbell," Maria Muldaur channels the spirit of Bessie Smith on "Bessie's Advice," and Eric Bibb breathes new life into Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody," and shines on the self-penned "Give a Little More."\nBut despite the earnest and honest efforts of the trio, Sisters & Brothers, taken as a whole, feels somewhat hokey. What's more, in their attempt to create a lovey-dovey vibe, Bibb, Block and Muldaur forget that historically, the blues frequently was not about love. Instead, it was about broken hearts and gaining revenge. Contrary to what this trio asserts, the blues is more about anger and sadness than peace and love.