Bobby "Blue" Bland (1930-2013) was one of the main creators of the modern soul blues sound. Along with such artists as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Junior Parker, Bland developed a style that mixed gospel with blues and R&B. His anguished voice, with charisma and melisma to spare, was a confident and expressive instrument. Presented here is Blands outstanding debut LP, Two Steps from the Blues, originally released in January 1961, one of the key albums in modern blues, marking a turning point when juke joint blues became seamlessly blended with gospel and southern soul.