The Blues is not just a genre of music but also a true form of expression of human emotions, storytelling, and cultural evolution. Born from the African American slaves in the Deep South of the United States, Blues music laid the foundation for numerous musical styles that include rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, and hip-hop. So, join us as we take you through the journey of Blues, from its origins to the modern times, and let us find out what makes it one of the most notable genres in the history of music.
Origin and Start of the Journey of Blues
The Blues has its roots deep in African American history. Originating in the Southern plantations during the 19th Century after the American Civil War (1861 to 65), from the African Americans and their descendants who sang while working in the cotton and vegetable fields, this genre is considered to have developed from African spirituals, chants, work songs, field hollers, rural fife and drum music, revivalist hymns, and country dance music.
Numerous influential bluesmen helped shape the music during the middle to late 1800s in the Deep South. However, while their original music followed them to their graves, their legacy can still be heard in the recordings from Southern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Georgia during the 1920s and 1930s. Therefore, there is no single inventor of the Blues, yet many people claim to have discovered the genre.
The Mississippi Delta, located just upriver from New Orleans, is where this music started to grow. All-time regarded pioneers from the early 20th century, such as Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Lead Belly, Charley Patton, and Robert Johnson, used to perform solo only with the accompaniment of a guitar. Sometimes, they also used to perform with one or more fellow bluesmen at the plantation camps, juke joints, etc.
The Clichés: Lyrical and Compositional Ideas and Forms
A typical characteristic of Blues songs lies in their nature of lyrics that are usually about hardships as they often talk about sadness, troubles in love life, loss, betrayal, and so on. However, if you dig deeper, you will know that Blues music goes way beyond what seems to be mainly about self-pity. It is also about overcoming bad luck, speaking out whatever is on one’s mind without a worry, or simply just having fun. But here’s the thing! Blues is probably the only kind of musical genre that communicates different emotional states in the deepest and the best way one can ever imagine.
When it comes to the musical side of the Blues, the most common structure of the genre is the 12-bar blues progression. It is a classic or, rather, the most traditional pattern that follows a simple chord sequence that repeats every 12 bars, thereby giving Blues songs their familiar flow of rhythm and harmony. Besides that, another aspect that defines the musical feature of this genre is none other than the Blues Scale, which consists of a typical series of notes that create the authentic sound of the Blues.
Apart from the musicality and lyricism in Blues songs, instrumentation also happens to play an important role in terms of shaping the sound of the genre. The slide guitar, often played using a glass or metal slide to glide over the strings, is a notable technique in the Blues that adds a mournful and expressive quality to the music. The harmonica, piano, and later, the electric guitar became central to the songs of this genre, thereby adding depth and variety to its sound.
Selling the Soul to the Devil: The most notable Legend attached to the Genre.
Few stories in music are as captivating as this legend of Robert Johnson and his deal with the devil. According to myth, Johnson was an unremarkable guitarist until he disappeared for a short period and returned with seemingly supernatural skills. The story claims that he met the devil at a crossroads in Mississippi, where he sold his soul in exchange for attaining supreme talent and mastery in music.
Johnson’s death at the tender age of 27 further deepens the mystery surrounding his life, making him one of the most mysterious personalities in the history of Blues. A large number of books, movies, and songs refer to this tale of selling one’s soul for talent, emphasizing the deep association of Blues with mysticism and the supernatural. If you want to dig deeper into this all-time Blues legend, you can try watching a documentary on Netflix, titled “Devil at the Crossroads.”
Blending in with The Modern Music Age, Popularization, and consistent evolution in the Journey of Blues.
In the early 20th century, with the migration of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas, the journey of Blues also began in terms of adapting to new environments. Cities like Atlanta, Memphis, and St. Louis became the hotspots for the early Blues, but Chicago played the most significant role in shaping modern Blues. During the 1920s and 1930s, popular performers like Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, and Sonny Boy Williamson were highly active in the Blues circuit of Chicago.
After World War II, a new generation of Blues musicians gave an electric touch to the music of the genre. Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Little Walter Jacobs, Buddy Guy, Magic Sam, and Koko Taylor brought a new energy to the Blues, defining what is now known as Chicago Blues.
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, T-Bone Walker developed a style that influenced later blues greats such as B.B. King.
The Three Kings who play an essential role in the Journey of The Blues!
The legendary Blues performers Albert King, B.B. King, and Freddie King are considered the Three Kings of the Blues. While there is no blood relationship between them, what connects them is the sheer heart and soul of the Blues, and the innovative works of these performers have shaped much of the modern-day Blues guitar styles.
Albert King is well-known for his string bending techniques on the guitar as well as his lyrical style of playing.
B.B. King, on the other hand, is a major inspiration for almost all guitar players across the world for his vibrato and ability to make a note sound highly expressive.
Freddie King’s intensely passionate and melodic playing style is what makes Blues guitar players go mad over his music.
If you are also curious and want to dig a little deeper into the music and playing styles of the Three Kings, here’s something that you may want to check out:
The British Blues Boom!
The blues continued to evolve through the revival of the 1960s Blues. British musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Peter Green, Led Zeppelin, etc., drew inspiration from American Blues legends, helping introduce the genre to global audiences. This period led to a blues resurgence, influencing rock ‘n’ roll and countless other genres.
Blues in Contemporary Music
Today, elements of blues can be heard across genres, from rock and jazz to R&B and hip-hop. Contemporary artists like Gary Clark Jr., The Black Keys, and Jack White continue to mix Blues into their music, proving that the genre’s raw emotion and storytelling are as relevant as ever. Blues festivals, such as the Chicago Blues Festival and the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival, continue to celebrate the legacy of this genre by making sure that its influence remains alive for the generations to come.
