Rock Evolution - The Blues
Introduction
What would we be without music?
From when the first homo sapiens banged animal bones against stretched deer skin music has inspired, entranced, excited and been a social glue that brings us together. It is the most important art form in my opinion. It punctuates and illustrates all our lives. What better way to spend our time than engaging with the history of music and how ultimately Radiohead were created ;-).
Rob asked me to kick off our preliminary historical blogs which act as background to the meat of the thread with The Blues. In tackling the subject I have focused on the period between 1900 and 1960. Whilst I had a reasonable grounding in the subject it was clear from the research I did that my knowledge was pretty sketchy.
But first, lets summarise how music had developed by the end of the 19th century. The year 1900. American music was a melting pot, drawing from the diverse traditions of its settlers, indigenous communities, and enslaved Africans. These varied influences began to blend, setting the stage for uniquely American genres to emerge.
The 19th century in America saw a rich evolution of music, influenced by diverse cultural backgrounds. The era was marked by the rise of folk traditions, including African American spirituals, which shaped genres like blues and jazz. Minstrel shows, despite their problematic legacy, popularised early American music. The Civil War inspired patriotic songs and marches, with composers like John Philip Sousa gaining prominence. The Romantic movement influenced composers like Antonín Dvořák, who incorporated American themes into classical music. Additionally, the emergence of popular forms like ragtime laid the groundwork for future genres. This period fostered a uniquely American musical identity.
The 19th century was also a transformative period in European music, marked by the Romantic movement. Composers like Beethoven, Chopin, and Wagner explored deep emotions and individual expression, moving away from the classical forms of the previous century. Nationalism emerged, with composers like Dvořák and Sibelius incorporating folk elements into their works. Opera flourished, with Verdi and Puccini creating iconic pieces. Innovations in orchestration and harmony expanded musical possibilities. The century also saw the rise of virtuoso performers and the establishment of public concert halls, making music more accessible to a wider audience, setting the stage for modern musical developments.
We are featuring the Blues as a genre first.
It’s a genre that has profoundly shaped modern music, influencing jazz, R&B, rock, country, and hip-hop. I have explored the origins, development, and impact of the Blues up to 1960, hopefully it will provide an overview and discussion piece for understanding the genres wider influence, significance and evolution. Feel free to comment, add to or generally rip apart where you feel I have missed stuff.
What Are The Blues?
The Blues is a deeply emotive genre that emerged in the American South during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It blends African musical traditions, European folk music, and the lived experiences of African Americans. Characterised by its expressive use of blue notes—slightly flattened pitches that convey melancholy—the Blues reflects themes of struggle, love, and personal hardship. It has left a lasting imprint on almost every genre of American popular music over the past century.
Origins of the Blues
The blues emerged from the oppressed, economically disadvantaged African-American communities in the rural southern states of America in the years following the American Civil War (1861–1865). Blues singers were descendants of slaves and elements of their music reach back to African origins. Specifically, music historians believe that the similarity between African string-playing and the techniques of many blues guitarists are remarkably similar and that the blues were rooted in the savanna hinterland of West Africa.
The first appearance of the blues is often dated to after the ending of slavery, and the development of Juke Joints (a term for an informal establishment featuring music, dancing, gambling, and drinking, primarily operated by African Americans associated with the newly aquired freedom of the former slaves).
Early Development of the Blues (1920s)
Blues music began to crystallize as a distinct form in the early 20th century. The genre gained prominence in the 1920s, transitioning from oral tradition to recorded music. W.C. Handy, often referred to as the "Father of the Blues," played a key role in popularizing the genre. His compositions, such as "St. Louis Blues," blended blues with popular and classical elements, reaching a wider audience.
The 1920s also saw the first commercial recordings of blues, with artists like Mamie Smith and Bessie Smith gaining recognition. Their recordings introduced blues to a broader audience and established its importance in American music. The blues also helped forge a cultural identity for African Americans, preserving their traditions and experiences.
Blues Genres and Influences
Several distinct styles of Blues emerged, each contributing to the genre's rich tapestry. So much could have been written here as there are many genres and sub genres and very many more influential artists. I have tried to keep the descriptions brief and featured the primary artists from each:
Delta Blues: Originating in the Mississippi Delta, Delta Blues is characterized by its raw, emotional sound and use of slide guitar techniques. Key figures include Robert Johnson, whose "Cross Road Blues" remains iconic. Johnson's haunting lyrics and complex guitar work have left a lasting legacy. Johnson, is often cited as one of the most influential blues musicians of all time.
His "Cross Road Blues" is often hailed as the quintessential blues recording.
The song's mythic quality—enhanced by its association with the legend of Johnson selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads (in return for his prodigious musical ability)—only adds to its allure. The crossroads myth also serves as a metaphor for Johnson's own life and career. Despite his prodigious talent, Johnson's career was short-lived and fraught with personal and professional struggles. He died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 27, joining the ranks of other legendary figures who met untimely death at the same age.
Robert Johnson
Classic Blues: Developed in the 1920s and 1930s, Classic Blues features a structured format with jazz influences. Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was a leading figure in this style. Her 1923 recording of "Downhearted Blues" showcases her powerful voice and emotional depth.
Bessie Smith
Piedmont Blues Emerging in the Southeastern U.S., Piedmont Blues is known for its fingerpicking guitar technique and upbeat sound. Blind Boy Fuller, with his intricate guitar work and energetic songs like “Step It Up and Go,” is a prominent figure in this genre.
Blind Boy Fuller
Texas Blues This style blends Delta Blues with jazzy influences, characterised by a polished sound and expressive guitar solos. Blind Lemon Jefferson, with tracks like "Matchbox Blues," is a key figure in Texas Blues.
Jump Blues Developing in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Jump Blues is a swing-oriented style that combines blues with jazz and big band elements. Louis Jordan's energetic performances and hits like “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” were instrumental in popularising this genre.
Country Blues Encompassing various regional styles of rural blues, Country Blues is distinguished by its acoustic instrumentation and storytelling lyrics. Lead Belly, known for songs like “Goodnight Irene,” exemplifies this broad category.
Lead Belly
The Great Migration and Urban Blues
The Great Migration, involving African Americans moving from the rural South to urban centers in the North and West, significantly influenced the development of Urban Blues, also known as Chicago Blues. This migration, driven by racial segregation and economic opportunities, helped shape American culture and music.
Chicago became a hub for Urban Blues in the 1940s and 1950s. The transition from acoustic to electric instruments marked this evolution, with musicians like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon playing key roles. Muddy Waters, for example, is known for his electric guitar and amplified harmonica, with recordings such as "Hoochie Coochie Man" highlighting this shift.
B.B. King, born Riley B. King, is another pivotal figure in blues history. His expressive guitar style and distinctive vibrato, exemplified in songs like "Every Day I Have the Blues," helped shape the modern blues sound. King’s unique approach combined jazz phrasing with blues intensity, influencing genres like rock and R&B. I vividly remember driving down Vancouver island from Tofino listening to the great man on the car radio being interviewed about his long and amazing career. He remembered his audience change in the 60's from 100% black audiences to a mixed audience with 'hippy kids'. One concert the Stones turned up to listen to him play.
He frequently turned up in NME polls when I was a kid for the worlds greatest guitarist. In amongst Clapton,Page, Beck, Blackmore...thats how I found his music.
John Lee Hooker, known for his distinctive style and deep, resonant voice have made him a major influence in blues music. The classic Boogie Chillen was first recorded in 1948 and remains one of his classic tracks. Boom, Boom Boom another classic of his is a personal favourite of mine. Although he played it for much of his career he recorded it in the 60's hence its exclusion from this playlist.
I love this photo.
Impact and Legacy
By 1960, the Blues had made a profound impact on modern music. It influenced the development of rock and roll, soul, jazz and country, with many artists including Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry integrating its elements into their music. The careers of Cream, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Free, The Rolling Stones, The Animals and all their successors wouldn't have been the same without The Blues.
The Blues also played a role in the civil rights movement, with its themes of struggle and resilience reflecting the fight for racial equality.
The legacy of blues musicians continues to inspire new generations, maintaining the genre's significance in contemporary music. The Blues' enduring influence is evident in its profound effect on various musical styles and its role in shaping the cultural landscape of America.
In conclusion, the Blues, from its origins to 1960, represents a rich and transformative genre that has left an indelible mark on modern music and culture.
I hope you enjoy the playlist:
I hope that you enjoyed this breakneck run through of what forms the foundation to much of the music we have enjoyed over the last 50 years. Let me know what you think about both the content and the format so we can learn from what you like (and what you don't like)
