Rock & Roll's Blues Roots

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Rock & roll’s blues roots BACKGROUND Blues music arose from African-American communities in the South and has origins in older styles such as work songs, field hollers, and spirituals. This music was informed by the African-American experience, which often relied on oral tradition to pass on knowledge, values, and history. While we associate “the blues” with sadness, blues music expresses a range of emotions; its power comes from artists’ unique stories and sounds. This playlist features three types of blues: Classic blues, a style first recorded in the 1920s, was influenced by jazz and typically featured a solo singer with a pianist and/or small backing band. Many major performers were women. Ma Rainey was one of the first stars, and she coached Bessie Smith, who became known as the “Empress of the Blues.” Later artists including Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton carried the classic blues traditions into the rock & roll era. Country blues is a style with strong ties to the Mississippi Delta region. This music usually featured a singer accompanying themselves on guitar or another portable instrument. Robert Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues,” for example, has an improvised sound and exhibits call-and-response between voice and guitar. Charley Patton is another example of an artist who recorded songs in country blues style. Chicago blues, also called electric blues, emerged in large cities. Musicians began playing electric instruments, turned up the volume, and put together larger bands. For example, Muddy Waters, who was born in the Mississippi Delta, played songs like “Got My Mojo Working” in Chicago clubs. Howlin’ Wolf, known for his booming voice and electric guitar playing, also influenced many rock musicians. 9 : PLAYLIST Jelly Bean Blues (1924) • Ma Rainey Backwater Blues (1927) • Bessie Smith Green River Blues (1929) • Charley Patton Cross Road Blues (1937) • Robert Johnson Hound Dog (1953) • Big Mama Thornton Got My Mojo Working (1957) • Muddy Waters Spoonful (1960) • Howlin’ Wolf VISIT EDU.ROCKHALL.COM FOR MORE RESOURCES. © 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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TN Bluesletter Week 10 080310.Cdr
(About the Blues continued) offered rich, more complex guitar parts, the beginnings of a blues trend towards separating lead guitar from rhythm playing. Shows begin at 6:30 unless noted Texas acoustic blues relied more on the use of slide, In case of inclement weather, shows will be held just down the and artists like Lightnin' Hopkins and Blind Willie street at the Grand Theater, 102 West Grand Avenue. Johnson are considered masters of slide guitar. Other June 1 Left Wing Bourbon local and regional blues scenes - from New Orleans MySpace.com/LeftWingBourbon June 8 The Pumps to Atlanta, from St. Louis to Detroit - also left their mark ThePumpsBand.com on the acoustic blues sound. MySpace.com/ThePumpsBand When African-American musical tastes began to June 15 The Blues Dogs change in the early-1960s, moving towards soul and August 3, 2010 at Owen Park MySpace.com/SteveMeyerAndTheBluesDogs rhythm & blues music, country blues found renewed June 22 Pete Neuman and the Real Deal popularity as the "folk blues" and was sold to a PeteNeuman.com June 29 Code Blue with Catya & Sue primarily white, college-age audience. Traditional YYoouunngg BBlluueess NNiigghhtt Catya.net artists like Big Bill Broonzy and Sonny Boy Williamson July 6 Mojo Lemon reinvented themselves as folk blues artists, while MojoLemon.com Piedmont bluesmen like Sonny Terry and Brownie MySpace.com/MojoLemonBluesBand McGhee found great success on the folk festival July 13 Dave Lambert DaveLambertBand.com circuit. The influence of original acoustic country July 20 Deep Water Reunion blues can be heard today in the work of MySpace.com/DWReunion contemporary blues artists like Taj Mahal, Cephas & July 27 The Nitecaps Wiggins, Keb' Mo', and Alvin Youngblood Hart.
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Queen of the Blues © Photos AP/Wideworld 46 D INAHJ ULY 2001W EASHINGTONNGLISH T EACHING F ORUM 03-0105 ETF 46 56 2/13/03 2:15 PM Page 47
03-0105_ETF_46_56 2/13/03 2:15 PM Page 46 J Queen of the Blues © Photos AP/WideWorld 46 D INAHJ ULY 2001W EASHINGTONNGLISH T EACHING F ORUM 03-0105_ETF_46_56 2/13/03 2:15 PM Page 47 thethe by Kent S. Markle RedRed HotHot BluesBlues AZZ MUSIC HAS OFTEN BEEN CALLED THE ONLY ART FORM J to originate in the United States, yet blues music arose right beside jazz. In fact, the two styles have many parallels. Both were created by African- Americans in the southern United States in the latter part of the 19th century and spread from there in the early decades of the 20th century; both contain the sad sounding “blue note,” which is the bending of a particular note a quar- ter or half tone; and both feature syncopation and improvisation. Blues and jazz have had huge influences on American popular music. In fact, many key elements we hear in pop, soul, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll (opposite) Dinah Washington have their beginnings in blues music. A careful study of the blues can contribute © AP/WideWorld Photos to a greater understanding of these other musical genres. Though never the Born in 1924 as Ruth Lee Jones, she took the stage name Dinah Washington and was later known leader in music sales, blues music has retained a significant presence, not only in as the “Queen of the Blues.” She began with singing gospel music concerts and festivals throughout the United States but also in our daily lives. in Chicago and was later famous for her ability to sing any style Nowadays, we can hear the sound of the blues in unexpected places, from the music with a brilliant sense of tim- ing and drama and perfect enun- warm warble of an amplified harmonica on a television commercial to the sad ciation.
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John Tefteller’s World’s Rarest Records Address: P. O. Box 1727, Grants Pass, OR 97528-0200 USA Phone: (541) 476–1326 or (800) 955–1326 • FAX: (541) 476–3523 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.tefteller.com Auction closes Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. PT See #50 See #51 Original 1950’s, 1960’s, Early 1970’s Rock & Roll 45’s Auction 1. Billy Adams — “Betty And Dupree/Got CAPRICORN 8003 M-/VG+ WHITE 34. The Animals — “The House Of The 53. John Barry And His Orchestra — My Mojo Workin’ ” SUN 389 M- MB $20 LABEL PROMO MB $10 Rising Sun/Talkin’ ’Bout You” M-G-M “Goldfinger/Troubadour” UNITED 2. Billy Adams — “Trouble In Mind/Lookin’ 20. Allman Brothers Band — “Revival (Love 13264 VG+/M- WITH PICTURE SLEEVE ARTISTS 791 M- MB $20 For My Mary Ann” SUN 391 M- MB $20 Is Everywhere)/SAME” CAPRICORN as shown MB $30 3. Billy Adams — “Reconsider Baby/Ruby 8011 VG+/M- WHITE LABEL PROMO with 35. The Animals — “Inside-Looking Out/ Jane” SUN 394 M- MB $20 MONO version on one side and STEREO You’re On My Mind” M-G-M 13468 M- 4. Billy Adams — “Open The Door Richard/ version on the other side MB $10 MB $20 The BEATLES! Rock Me Baby” SUN 401 MINT MB $25 21. Allman Brothers Band — “Midnight 5. Nick Adams — “Born A Rebel/Bull Hour/SAME” CAPRICORN 8014 VG+ (See Insert On Next Page) Run” MERCURY 71579 M- WHITE WHITE LABEL PROMO with MONO LABEL PROMO MB $20 version on one side and STEREO version 6.
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Bands* 105 104 * Bands
approach make him stand was nominated in the 2018 impact on the young artist’s talents of eclectic artist, band over the years. Blues out. As a writer, he creates a Blues Blast Music Awards. life. He has five independent Wally B. Ford. The Lizzard The Movers has always been a big influ- sound all his own that clev- Ivy Ford shares the stage albums thus far in a career Kings captures the essences & Shakers ence in their playing style, PIKES PEAK BLUES erly blurs the lines between with long time bass player spanning several years. He’s of the music that influenced COMMUNITY traditional and modern blues. the real deal. its members and distills The Movers & Shakers are a Based in Williamsport, Penn- them into their own unique dynamic collaboration of sylvania, Gabe is thrilled to sound. Now, 30 years in, family and friends. Their live be back in Memphis for his The Jonny performances have become second attempt at the IBC. Monster Band SMOKY MOUNTAIN the stuff of legend in the BLUES SOCIETY The Halfway The Jonny Monster Band though it has become more Crooks steams into any venue with a prevalent in recent years with FORT SMITH RIVERFRONT high octane mix of rock ’n’ the addition of the harmon- BLUES SOCIETY roll and fast-paced blues. ica, creating an improvisa- The Halfway Crooks are a They deliver hard-driving orig- tional dueling element four-piece blues and rock and inal tunes and faithful covers they continue to deliver a between the harmonica and roll band hailing from Fort from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, finely honed and diverse guitar.
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