DAVE FIELDS: ALL WOUND UP Though the blues are timeless – some would say even “timely” in 2008 – the musicians and their path to the original and most profound American art form has been remarkably consistent while also evolving. Toiling from sun up to sun down on sweltering plantations behind the “south end of a mule heading north,” with instrumental traditions passed on from family members, gave way to numbing manual labor in the cities and “on the job training” after hours in brutal bar room cutting sessions. Recordings have always been a prime source of instruction going all the way back to Robert Johnson in the 1930s, who was known to snatch music off the radio, as well as big 78 RPM platters. New York City genre-busting blues guitarist Dave Fields can rightfully boast that he experienced the hip modern version of the blues education. He was born in Manhattan to Sammy “Forever” Fields, the lauded virtuoso pianist, composer, arranger a...