Well, I'm not too sure exactly what "obligatory" means here but my guess is that it ain't a compliment to the blues...

How about a thread "Obligatory Shanty Sing Lines" or "Obligatory Folk Song Lines"??? I mean, I think the entire idea that the blues is this monolithic form of music is downright insulting to both current and deceased blues players...

Nuthin' "Obligatory" to it any more than any other genre of music...

B~ (bluesman)