Funny how this thread has descended into a traditional northern vs R&B spat. I was looking at a playlist for the Twisted Wheel the other day. Way before my time, I was 11 when it closed. I must admit I'm far more inclined to listen to gritty blues orientated R&B than Spiral Staircase, which I heard at Wigan around 1977. At Notts Palais once, I think I even heard a version of God Only Knows. This was just as depressing as TEF must sound to Rod's ears.
Little Hank, Jimmy McCracklin, Slim Harpo, Phil Upchurch, Bobby Parker etc, etc fit more into the scheme of things, FOR ME, than white pop 4x4 Motown soundalike stompers so commonly heard at all-nighters back then. I think it's about taste, not about what's supposedly right & wrong musically, but then again what do I know, I listen to Roscoe Holcomb in the dark.