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“The essential history of this distinctly American genre.”—Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In this “expertly researched, elegantly written, dispassionate yet thoughtful history” (Gary Giddins), award-winning author Ted Gioia gives us “the rare combination of a tome that is both deeply informative and enjoyable to read” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). From the field hollers of nineteenth-century plantations to Muddy Waters and B.B. King, Delta Blues delves into the uneasy mix of race and money at the point where traditional music became commercial and bluesmen found new audiences of thousands. Combining extensive fieldwork, archival research, interviews with living musicians, and first-person accounts with “his own calm, argument-closing incantations to draw a line through a century of Delta blues” (New York Times), this engrossing narrative is flavored with insightful and vivid musical descriptions that ensure “an understanding of not only the musicians, but the music itself” (Boston Sunday Globe). Rooted in the thick-as-tar Delta soil, Delta Blues is already “a contemporary classic in its field” (Jazz Review).
Gioia (The History of Jazz) succeeds admirably in the daunting task of crafting a comprehensive history of the art form known as the blues, depicting the life story of the music from its cradle in the Mississippi Delta all the way to its worldwide influence on contemporary sounds. His sweeping examination focuses on the legends in detail, including Charley Patton, Son House, Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King and many more. He often deconstructs myths, such as the story that both Tommy Johnson and Robert Johnson made midnight deals with the devil at the crossroads, and digs deep to clarify many murky stories, including "untruths and wild speculations" about the life and early death of Robert Johnson. His narrative follows the northern migration of the blues to Chicago, where Muddy Waters recorded for Chess Records, and along the way he analyzes the influence of Delta blues on Elvis, the Rolling Stones and other rock 'n' roll icons. Gioia dissects many songs, but he doesn't write beyond the understanding of general readers, creating the rare combination of a tome that is both deeply informative and enjoyable to read. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.1 The blues and the old kingdoms 1
2 Where the southern cross the dog 19
3 Dockery's plantation 45
4 Parchman prison 77
5 Hard time kiilin' floor 111
6 Hellhound on my trail 149
7 I'm a rolling stone 191
8 Hooker's boogie 233
9 Smokestack lightnin' 273
10 Riding with the king 309
11 The blues revival 347
Notes 401
Recommended listening 417
For further reading 423
Index 427
tampashelley
Posted March 11, 2010
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Ted Gioia caught my attention and held it for all 480 pages. If you want to learn about the blues for the first time or are looking for an updated book with even more information, Delta Blues is for you. Ted's style is easy to read; yet packed with facts and tidbits that kept me entranced. I used this book to assist me with my road trip through Mississippi as i explored the blues trail and historical markers that mark influential people, places, and events. Ted reminded me of names that had moved to the back of my mind as well as moving me to visit places I may have skipped. You won't be disappointed with this volume. A valuable addition to any bookshelf. Again, an easy and enjoyable way to learn about the blues.
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Overview
“The essential history of this distinctly American genre.”—Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In this “expertly researched, elegantly written, dispassionate yet thoughtful history” (Gary Giddins), award-winning author Ted Gioia gives us “the rare combination of a tome that is both deeply informative and enjoyable to read” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). From the field hollers of nineteenth-century plantations to Muddy Waters and B.B. King, Delta Blues delves into the uneasy mix of race and money at the point where traditional music became commercial and bluesmen found new audiences of thousands. Combining extensive fieldwork, archival research, interviews with living musicians, and ...