Blues

Blues: The Basics gives a brief introduction to a century of the blues; it is ideal for students and interested listeners who want to learn more about this treasured American artform. The book is organized chronologically, focusing on the major eras in blues's growth and development. It opens with a chapter defining the blues form and detailing the major genres within it. Next, the author gives the beginning blues fan points on how to listen to and truly enjoy the music. The heart of the book traces blues's growth from its folk origins through early recordings of city blues singers like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith and country blues stars like Robert Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Finally, the author gives an overview of the blues scene today. The book concludes with lists of key recordings, books, and videos. Blues: The Basics serves as an excellent introduction to the players, the music, and the styles that make blues an enduring and well-loved musical style.

First sentence: In the early years of the twenty-first century, the blues  which, to the best of our knowledge, date from the 1890s  have grown in popularity and influence from a little-known regional style found among African Americans to a worldwide phenomenon.

Year

2004

Language

English

Publisher

Routledge

Editions

2

Pages

200

ISBN

9780415970686

Data source: Wikidata