Download Instrumental    While doing a little research the other day, I ran across the term “blues shouter”.  What is that?  Someone who yells the blues at the top of their lungs?  Well, yes.  A blues shouter is a blues singer, usually male, who can sing with a band without benefit of a microphone.  Well… the things you learn.

The song “Don’t Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes At Me” was recorded by Wynonie Harris – one of those notorious “blues shouters” (I wonder if there are country shouters).  Mr. Harris didn’t abide soft ballads or love songs.  His tunes were usually humorous and upbeat,  but more often just plain raunchy.  This particular one isn’t too much on the tawdry side, but it’s borderline.  It’s about a wayward woman who wants to come back to her main squeeze – yeah, that’s gonna happen.  You can change the lyrics a bit to make it a little less offensive.  For example, instead of singing “go find the guy who beat you up” can be changed to “go find the guy who set you up” – unless you’re playing a biker bar – then, you’re on your own.

So why perform a song with questionable ethics?  Because, musically, it’s fun.  The beat is contagious.  The horns are obnoxious.  And the walking bass carries the whole piece with aplomb.  Take the trouble to learn this one and use this arrangement.  Your crowd will love it, trust me.  It can be played in a blues house, a country club, the local VFW, or that biker bar we were talking about.   It’s an all-around good time.