They originally got together just for fun, but in the process stayed together far longer than any of their previous groups had ever managed to do.[citation needed]
Their first album, The Official Blues Band Bootleg Album, a mixture of blues standards and original songs – notably the Jones-McGuinness composition "Come On In", and their long-standing stage favourite "Flatfoot Sam" - initially attracted no interest from major record companies, so they pressed a limited run of 3,000 themselves, hand-stamped their logo on the cardboard sleeve, and signed them all. After unqualified endorsement from BBC Radio 1 presenter Simon Bates and others, media interest resulted in a recording contract with Arista Records, who gave the album an official release.
In 1982 Flint left, and was replaced by former Family drummer Rob Townsend. They briefly disbanded later that year after recording a live album, Bye Bye Blues, released in 1983, but reformed soon afterwards. They have remained a constant factor on the music scene ever since, unfazed by lack of chart success (after the first few years, as demonstrated below), happy to combine a regular schedule of touring and recording around their other commitments. More recent albums include Back For More, Homage, Brassed Up, Wire Less, Fat City, and Thank You Brother Ray, the last being a set of cover versions of Ray Charles songs, recorded as a tribute.
Jones, McGuinness and Townsend are also members of The Manfreds, a virtual reincarnation of Manfred Mann, though because of the non-participation of the eponymous keyboard player of the 1960s outfit, legal reasons and courtesies require them to assume the name 'Manfreds'. Jones and Kelly sometimes play gigs as a duo, and Kelly performs with The Dave Kelly Band (generally The Blues Band without Jones).
As the band themselves often joke, "The music industry doesn’t bother us and we don’t bother them."
People Get Ready
The Blues Band Lyrics
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There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
People get ready
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is key
Open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among the love the most
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
People get ready
There's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith
To hear the diesel comin'
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
Just get on board
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
The Blues Band's "People Get Ready" is a powerful gospel blues song that encourages listeners to prepare for the arrival of the Lord's train. The song starts with a call for people to get ready because there is a train coming. The train is a metaphor for the Lord's arrival, and the message is that people shouldn't carry any baggage with them; they just need to have faith and get on board. The chorus reiterates that message and states that hope exists for everyone, especially those who love the most.
The second verse clarifies the importance of faith and opens the door for everyone to board the train to Jordan. The focus is on the key requirement of being ready with simple faith, which creates room on the train for everyone. The bridge continues with the idea that every day is an opportunity to prepare for the journey, and that there is no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne.
Line by Line Meaning
People get ready
The song is a call for people to prepare for something big.
There's a train a comin'
The big event is symbolized by a locomotive heading towards their direction.
You don't need no baggage you just get on board
Preparation for the event requires minimal effort.
All you need is faith
Faith in something greater than themselves is key to this preparation.
To hear the diesel comin'
Through their unwavering faith, they can sense the approach of the big event.
Don't need no ticket you just thank the Lord
No material possessions or status are needed to participate. Giving thanks to a higher power is sufficient.
Train to Jordan
The destination of the train may symbolize the afterlife or a better place beyond physical boundaries.
Picking up passengers from coast to coast
The invitation to prepare for the event is open to everyone, no matter where they come from.
Faith is key
The importance of faith is reiterated.
Open the doors and board them
The invitation is clear and everyone is welcome to join.
There's hope for all among the love the most
Love is a key factor in the preparation and the event to come is a hopeful one.
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Those who intentionally harm others to benefit themselves will not be welcomed.
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own soul
Selfishness and disregard for others will not be tolerated.
Have pity on those whose choices grow thinner
There is a plea for those who feel that they have limited choices and have gone astray.
There ain't no hiding place from the Kingdom's throne
No one can escape accountability for their actions.
There's a train there's a train there's a train comin' people
The reminder of the approaching event is repeated.
Just get on board
The final call to action to join and be ready.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Curtis Mayfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind