Blues

Definition

The Blues emerged in the late 1800s, originated from African American spirituals, work songs, and field hollers. The genre has deep roots in African American musical traditions, developing from spirituals, work songs, and field hollers.

The Blues had a profound impact on modern music, serving as a foundation for numerous genres including jazz, rock and roll, and R&B. 

  • 1920s-1930s: Development of Delta blues and country blues
  • 1940s-1950s: Evolution of electric blues in urban areas like Chicago
  • 1960s onwards: Major influence on rock music and British blues revival

Characteristics

  1. Features a specific musical form called the 12-bar blues form
  2. Use of blue scales characterized by the lowered “blue notes” - flattened or bent notes that give the genre its characteristic sound
  3. Lyrics often expresses themes of hardship, loss, and personal struggles
  4. Use of slide guitar to imitate the half-singing and half-speaking voice of the singer (the ‘slide’ is a tube that is fitted over one of the guitarist’s fingers on the left hand and is slid up and down the strings while they are plucked with the right hand)
  5. Scat singing: a singing technique with wordless and nonsense syllables to imitate solo instrumental improvisation

Listening

Robert Johnson, Crossroads Blues

A blues song about a man who goes to a crossroads to make a deal with the devil to gain musical talent. The song became one of the most influential blues recordings and helped create the myth of Johnson selling his soul to the devil in exchange for his extraordinary guitar skills.

 

Blind Lemon Jefferson, Match Box Blues (1927)

A blues song about a man using matchboxes as a makeshift bed, symbolizing poverty and hardship - a common theme in early blues music. This song was later covered by many other artists including Carl Perkins and The Beatles.

 

Spiritual

A spiritual in music refers to a type of religious folk song that emerged from African American experiences during slavery in the United States. These songs combine African musical elements with Christian themes. Spirituals played a significant role in both religious worship and as a means of cultural expression, and they heavily influenced the development of other musical genres like gospel, blues, and jazz.

Characteristics

  1. Call-and-response patterns between a leader and congregation
  2. Strong rhythmic elements and syncopation
  3. Deep emotional expression and religious themes
  4. Often performed a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment)

Listening

Wade in the Water

A spiritual song that was used by enslaved African Americans. It has both literal and coded meanings - while it references the biblical story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, it was also used as a coded message in the Underground Railroad, advising escaped slaves to travel through water to throw off tracking dogs and slave catchers.

 

Boogie-Woogie

Boogie-woogie is a style of blues piano playing that emerged in the early 1900s.

Characteristics

  1. Features a driving, repetitive left-hand bass pattern (usually playing eight beats to the bar)
  2. Right hand plays melodic patterns and improvised riffs
  3. Often played at fast tempos with a strong, rhythmic feel

Listening

Big Joe Turner, Boogie Woogie Country Girl (1956)

A song about a woman from the country who loves to dance and party to boogie-woogie music. The song combines elements of boogie-woogie piano style with early rock and roll.

 

Keith Emerson & Oscar Peterson, Honky Tonk Train Blues

A piano piece depicting the sounds and rhythms of a steam locomotive. The composition uses driving bass patterns and rolling piano figures to imitate the sound of a train in motion.

 

City Blues

City blues, also known as urban blues, emerged as blues music moved from rural areas to cities in the early to mid-20th century. It was developed primarily in urban centers like Chicago, Memphis, and Detroit.

Characteristics

  1. More polished and electric sound compared to rural/country blues, often featuring electric guitars and full band arrangements
  2. More sophisticated arrangements with addition of piano, drums, and horn sections
  3. Often dealt with themes of urban life, including migration, city living, and modern relationships

Listening

T-Bone Walker, Every Day I Have the Blues

A classic blues song about the daily struggles and persistent hardships in life. It expresses the recurring nature of life’s troubles, with the singer lamenting about experiencing the blues every single day.

 

B. B. King, The Thrill is Gone

A melancholic blues song about lost love. It’s about someone coming to terms with the end of a relationship, expressing that the excitement and passion they once felt is now gone. The singer acknowledges that it’s better to move on, even though the memories still bring pain.

 

Contemporary Blues

Contemporary blues is a modern evolution of traditional blues that incorporates elements from various other genres while maintaining core blues characteristics.

Characteristics

  1. Integration of modern musical styles like rock, funk, and soul while preserving traditional blues elements
  2. Use of modern recording techniques and production methods
  3. Often features more complex arrangements and sophisticated instrumentation
  4. Lyrics that address modern social issues and contemporary life experiences while maintaining the emotional depth characteristic of blues

Listening

Eric Clapton, Blues Before Sunrise

A cover of a classic blues song originally by Leroy Carr. It’s a melancholic blues song about loneliness and heartache in the early hours of the morning, expressing the deep pain and emotional turmoil that seems most intense before dawn.

 

Buddy Guy, Damn Right I Got the Blues

A defiant and assertive blues song by Buddy Guy that showcases his pride in being a blues musician and his mastery of the genre. The title itself is a bold declaration of owning and embracing the blues tradition.