The BluesA Brief History of the Blues

The Birth of Blues• The Blues: A truly American musical form

based on the gospel tradition of slave songs that developed in the Mississippi delta in the early 1900’s

• The blues is seen as the roots for most of the world’s popular music ranging from…– Rock and Roll– Rap and Hip-Hop– Country, Western, Folk

The Birth of Blues• Dating back to the beginnings of America,

slaves who converted to Christianity would turn to singing gospel songs to pass the time/give comfort.

• These songs were performed differently than traditional gospels because they infused African rhythmic patterns and beats with Christian worship music

The Birth of Blues• After the end of slavery, the slave songs from

the deep south remained popular with African-Americans and began reaching white audiences as well

• Focusing on themes like love, pain and sacrifice, the blues connected with people from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs and spread across America

Delta Blues• Location: Deep South (Mississippi, Louisiana)• Style: The original blues was stripped down to

simple, straight forward solo music focused on hardship and struggle

• Famous Artists:– Robert Johnson (Crossroads )– Son House (Death Letter Blues)– Mississippi Fred McDowell (Baby Please Don’t Go)– LeadBelly (House of the Rising Sun)

Texas Blues• Location: Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma• Style: Defined by screaming guitar, gruff

voices, and driving rhythms the Texas blues brought a new intensity and in-your-face quality to blues music.

• Famous Artists: – Lightnin’ Hopkins (Shake that Thing)– Freddie King (Me and My Guitar)– Stevie Ray Vaughn (Pride and Joy)

Memphis Blues• Location: Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama• Style: More laid back than other regional

blues styling's, the Memphis blues combines smooth, laid back jams with heart-wrenching lyrics to create a cooler more subdued sound

• Famous Artists:– B.B. King (The Thrill is Gone)– Big Walter Horton (Hard Hearted Woman)– Memphis Minnie (Me and My Chauffer)

St. Louis Blues• Location: Missouri, Southern Illinois• Style: Considerably more upbeat and linked to

early Rock and Roll, the St. Louis blues brought a happier and more light-hearted take on the blues that spread to new audiences in America.

• Famous Artists:– Chuck Berry (Johnny B. Goode)– Albert King (I Get Evil)– Johnnie Johnson (Honky Tonk Train Blues)

Chicago Blues• Location: Chicago (IL), Detroit (MI)• Style: The city of Chicago is considered the

modern home of blues music. Chicago Blues combines electric instruments, full bands, and unquestioned confidence. A lot of the most well known Blues artists became famous in Chicago.

• Famous Artists:– Muddy Waters (Got My Mojo Work’n)– Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley)– Howl’n Wolf (Smokestack Lightning)– Buddy Guy (Sweet Home Chicago)– -John Lee Hooker (Boom Boom)