Of course, at the heart of 'blues' is the human voice. After all, that is where it got its start. It's unique slow sound embedded the emotion and personal expression of life's hard times. As it evolved, the guitar became the 'second voice' closely followed by the harmonica.
There are several recurring themes enveloping blues music. These encircle the life and times of love, loss, death, tragedy, and oppression. The music is of low tone, which digs at the heart with compassion as it bleeds of sadness.
So why the emphasis on wine, whiskey and women? While blues music may have started in the fields, it extended beyond the plantation into smokey backroom juke joints. Crap games and card games took over the back room, brawls were common and the whiskey flowed. Women frequented the joints looking for a good time and excitement outside the home. Infidelity was not uncommon as witnessed in the lyrics of blues songs where the man stayed home with the kids while the wife was out clubbin'!
While the era may have faded away, blues music is undoubtedly here to stay!
Papa Lightfoot: Wine Whiskey and Women
Papa George Lightfoot
(March 2, 1924 – November 28, 1971)
Lonnie Johnson - No More Troubles Now (1930)
Gimme my good whiskey, women, wine, and song
I'm goin' to have my fun until I'm dead an' gone
Dr. Feelgood - Wine Women Whisky
Wine women and whisky
Goin' be the death of me
Goin' be the death of me
A dictionary of blues terms, words, phrases, etc.
...a rich, powerful history of people who helped build America and created one of
the most influential genres of popular music.
Are you into the 'blues'? Who is your favorite blues artist of all time?
Mine is . . .
but I cannot leave without a visit to . . .
Blues is one of my favorites and you picked some greats. Thanks for sharing, Sharla.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed! BTW Thank you for the GREAT review of Remembering:>)
DeleteI love the blues--you outdid yourself with this post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Micki! It was really quite impromptu:>)
DeleteI wasn't into the blues very much until my son started playing guitar. He has taught me to love that genre of music! I think one reason the Blues appeals to people is that it generally follows a certain progression of chords so that makes the song seem familiar even before you've heard it. And of course, the lyrics are almost always about universal subjects: wine, women, songs, sad times.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post, including the video links. Good stuff!
So glad you enjoyed! My husband actually got me into the blues music. It is just so...LIFE!
DeleteA beautifully written piece, evocative of bygone days. The blues, though not part of my culture, arouse in me a feeling of nostalgia for something I cannot define. Even without the videos, this would still be a remarkably talented piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marta, for the comments:>) I did not learn to truly appreciate blue until later in life and have begun to understand more about this special music that tugs at the heartstrings.
DeleteMy favorite blues singer is Eric Clapton. I find it interesting that when interviewed Eric will quickly tell you of his love for blues music. His Grammy award for "Tears In Heaven" on Unplugged demonstrated the heartfelt love affair for blues music.
ReplyDeleteEric Clapton has been a member of many hit bands and is listed as second on the Greatest 100 Guitarists of all times. His personal tragedies and struggles with drugs & alcohol is well documented.
Thanks, Bob, for I would have never thought about Eric Clapton and blues music. I really haven't listened that much to his music. You just may have opened a new door for me:>)
DeleteOh Sharla,
ReplyDeleteThese are some of the best. The Blues have a way of transporting one in time making memories that were so good, come back to life.
This is probably one of my favorite post from you. The Blues to me include the Sax, Trumpet and Guitar.
I cannot think of any I did not or do not love.
Thanks for sharing again!
I know what you mean about the instruments...blues encompass drums, bass guitar, piano, trombone, trumpet and saxophone. But the voice...it is that uniqueness that really sets the blues apart...a world all its own!
DeleteAgreed, Sharla you picked some great blues songs. Your article reminds me of "Cadillac Records," a movie about blues artists from the 40s- 50s: Muddy Waters Chuck Berry, Etta James, and Howlin Wolf. The pain they suffered as black artist trying to live in a white man's world. The cruelty they endured despite the beauty of their music, the souls they encouraged and inspired. After watching that movie, one part of me despised blues, yet another connected, understood, relished the amazing feat of blues artist.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the movie but you have made it one I want to locate. Blues is soul...riveting because of the background of its song lyrics.
DeleteGreat post, Sharla, as usual you once again took me away to another time and place where today's world doesn't belong. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWish we had access to a time machine! I would leave this era in a hearbeat!
DeleteI LOVE the blues and this is one of your best posts yet! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Thank you, Sandra! Let the blues roll on!
DeleteDo you know Otis Spann, Sharla? I've been listening to his blues piano for over 40 years.
ReplyDeleteNot familiar with him. Definitely sounds like one I need to investigate. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the enriching article.
Blues, Jazz, Gospels are related to their mother which, in my opinion, is the negro spirituals. These songs, which were orginally sung a cappella, while the slaves were picking cotton, echoed out their desires for their homeland, their wailings for freedom, their hurts and their pains during time of sicknesses and ill treatment. Blues, as well as the black gospel was the African-American way of breaking away from the field songs that were sung by the older people. The guitar became an instrument after Thomas Dorsey began to put notes to a lot of the Negro Spirituals. Then came the jazz which brought out another flavor and rock and rolls with Chuck Berry and a few others.
I enjoy them all but if I am honest I must say a negro spiritual that is sung from the heart, a cappella, still touches my heart the most.
Great article.
Ciao,
Patricia
Oh, Pat, you NAILED it! I have always loved the Negro spirituals...such emotion in their voices and the blues(as I said on catnip) -
Deletemusic to the ears
bleeds sadness
words from the heart
impale the soul