The blues
The blue (ie, melancholy and
sadness) is a vocal and instrumental musical genre, based on the use of blue
notes and a repetitive pattern that typically follow a twelve-bar structure.
Native to the African American communities of the United States, was developed
through the spiritual, prayer songs, work songs, rhymes, English, Scottish and
Irish ballads and screaming narrated field .. A characteristic feature of the
blues is the extensive use of techniques "expressive" of the guitar
(bend, vibrato, slide) and harmonica (cross harp), the only one that would
influence later styles such as rock.
Characteristics:
One of the earliest
known forms of music that keeps similarity with blues, corresponds with cries
of call and response (music), which is defined as "functional expressions
style accompaniment or harmony and away from the formality of any musical
structure. Many of the oldest blues records contain gritty, realistic lyrics
unlike most popular music is recorded at the time, for example, the song Down
in the Alley of Memphis Minnie, is about a prostitute who has sex with a man in
a dead. The blues chords associated to a twelve-bar blues structure are
typically a set of three different chords, which are played through a
twelve-bar scheme.
Origin:
While the blues emerged from
African American culture, some blues musicians were known worldwide. Some
studies put the black spiritual origin in the exhibition that took slaves to
gospel, (native to the Hebrides) of their masters. The social and economic
reasons of the blues are not fully known. The first appearance of the blues is
not well defined and often dated between 1870 and 1900, a period that coincides
with the emancipation of slaves and the transition from slavery to small-scale
agriculture in the southern United States. Paul Oliver quotes a text of
Charlotte Forten, 1862, in which speech and blues as mood and how some
Worksongs were sung in a special way to overcome the blues. The recordings were
blues and country can be found dating back to the twenties, a period in which
the music industry and created marketing categories called "race
music" and "hillbilly music" to sell music by blacks and whites,
respectively.
Blues pre-war:
It was in this period that
the record companies such as the American Record Corporation, Okeh Records, and
Paramount Records, began to record African American music. As the recording
industry grew, country blues performers like Charlie Patton, Blind Lemon
Jefferson, Lonnie Johnson, Son House and Blind Blake became more popular in the
African American community. Jefferson was one of the few country blues
performers to record widely and may have been the first to record the slide
guitar technique, a technique that would become an important element of the
delta blues.28 In the twenties, the first blues recordings spanned into two
classes: rural blues (country blues, traditional) and a more polished and urban
blues.
Blues post-war:
Social repercussions Like jazz, rock
and roll, heavy metal, hip hop, blues has been accused of being the
"devil's music" and of inciting violence and other behaviors
delictivos.9 During the twenties (period in which white audiences became
interested in blues music) this genre was considered disreputable, being W. C.
Handy the first musician to improve the image of the blues to the rest of
Americans who were not black. Today, the blues is one of the main components of
African American culture and American cultural heritage in general, reflected
this importance not only in college but also in films such as Sounder, In 2003,
Martin Scorsese made an effort important to promote the blues, asking famous
directors such as Clint Eastwood and WimWenders, participate in a series of
films called The Blues. Scorsese also participated in a tribute to the artists
of the blues through the publication of several music CDs.
The best blues records of history
1-Robert Johnson - King Of The Delta Blues (1937). In the mid 60 Record
Columbia took to the streets a compilation of this legend reaching a staggering
sell a million records, something unimaginable for the blues by then.
2-Magic
Sam - West Side Soul (1967). Cornerstone of the electric blues, the sensible
voice of Sam well complemented by its powerful sound, the blues of Chicago and
not be the same ...
3-Albert King - Born Under A Bad Sign (1967). Able to
overshadow the very Hendrix in Filmore, one of the three kings in his most
inspired, the legend was born ...
4-Willie Dixon - I Am The Blues (1970).
Producer, composer, bassist and singer, worked with the biggest, both black
circuit and the subsequent British Invasion (The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds,
Cream, Jeff Beck Group and Led Zeppelin). In 9 Songs shows his talent, "he
is the blues".
5-Hound Dog Taylor And The Houserockers - Natural Boogie
(1973). Highly recommended, wild, raw, electrifying from start to finish,
boogie and absolute owner would have to Hound Dog.
6-Buddy Guy - Man And The Blues (1968).
His first job and the best, Buddy plays so passionately that it would be very
difficult to match it, with Crazy Stone, 81, the best of his career.
7-Junior
Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues (1965). In the year it was recorded, both Wells and
Buddy Guy (who participóen guitars) enjoyed enormous popularity and impeccable
artistic moment, real blues in the city of Capone.
8-Muddy Waters - Fathers and
Sons (1969). When he entered the Chess studios and saw the pianist Otis Spann,
guitarist Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield on harmonica and drummer Buddy
Miles prepared to record this album, Lead belly words recalled that "no
white man feel the blues" and thought how wrong I was in the old bluesman.
9-Howlin 'Wolf - Moanin' At The Moonlight (1959). Indispensable for where to
listen, would fill an encyclopedia with the number of musicians (black and
white) using the chords of this work. Letters Dixon, Hubert Sumlin on guitar
and the great wolf howling shaking to the core.
10 Freddy King - Let's Hide
Away and Dance Away (1961). This album marks the beginning of the blues / rock,
totally instrumental, to listen to a generous volume. Figure exclusionary and
influence of blues / rock English, just hearing the first Mayall's
Bluesbreakers we realize what caused the great Freddy King.
11 Memphis Slim - At The Gate of The
Horn (1959). Only 34 minutes were enough to tell Slim this album is the best
work of piano blues and should not be missing in any nightclub. The
sophisticated technique of the great Matt "Guitar" Murphy stands out
brightly. A gem.
12 Mississippi John Hurt - Avalon Blues (1963). For lovers of
country blues this album is the peak, with limited technology, sweet voice but
spotless Hurt in later years to re-record them again, candy man blues ...
13-Taj Mahal - The Natch'l Blues (1968). A job in which we find folk, gospel
and soul in a way that exudes brilliantly bluesy cotton everywhere. Pay close
attention to Al Kooper the organ. In 2000 came a reissue with three bonus
tracks.
14-Elmore James Blues After Hours (1960). Just open the disc and hear
the first chords of "Dust My Blues" notice that the slide was here to
stay. This album is a compilation of recordings made for seals Elmore Meteor
and Flair Record Records a. Way simple
15-John Lee Hooker - It Serves You Right
To Suffer (1965). Engraved for the Impulse jazz label, it was thought that it
would be a fiasco, but with fierce band that implemented its leader, never
missing chords unnecessary search, performing what the teacher wanted, the results
were very favorable.
16 Mississippi Fred McDowell - I Do Not
Play No Rock & Roll (1969). Dylan style, McDowell pulled on the electrical
breaking all the rules of the Delta and reflected a will leaving indelible The
first track and indicates that Mississippi will not play rock & roll as the
title suggests, "Baby Please Do not Go". B.B
17. King - Completely
Well (1969). The final consecration, his move to the big leagues to be one of
the first blues records where the main interpreter composed all the themes, the
unforgettable "The Thrill Is Gone" close key disk in the career of
the King.
18-Sonny Boy Williamson - Down and Out Blues (1959). It seems
impossible to say that this bluesman recorded his first job at age 60 with the
help of Muddy Waters and Robert Jr. Lockwood. There are many artists in the
world who takes a life to make a masterpiece! A special paragraph for its
cover. Indispensable.
19-Little Walter – Confessin The Blues (1963). Just read
the line up (Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood, Louis Myers, Luther Tucker, Willie
Dixon, Otis Spann and Lafayette Leake) could have been called "With a
little help from my friend". A superb Walter and his best, highlight
"One More Chance with You" and "Temperature".
20-T-Bone
Walker - T-Bone Blues (1960). Recorded triple sessions 55 to 57, this musician
falsely accused by the most diehard purist (for being in band jazz musicians)
leaves us a legacy of the best works of the postwar blues. "Call It Stormy
Monday" happen to be part of the musical pantheon.
21-Albert Collins - Ice Pickin '(1978).
This album shows clearly that the Telecaster was created to be played only by
"Iceman", their first album to Alligator Records that gave the
popularity to their departure.
22 - John Mayall - Blues Breakers with Eric
Clapton (1966). Great album famous for its cover, where Clapton browsing a
comic (Bedano). Posted a few days after the departure of "Slow Hand"
of the Bluesbreakers and a week before the debut of Cream, impeccable Flail
school building and creating songs, the blues had mutated for good.
23-J.B.
Hutto - Hawk Squat (1968). An album that speaks of demons, alcohol and women,
the blues never been so close to hardrock and in this opportunity. The
metamorphosis that suffered the blues in the 60 appears not to have affected
Hutto since maintained its purity. One of the greats of Chicago.
24 Luther
Allison - Bad News Is Coming (1973). The first bluesman who recorded for
Motown, many turned away for this reason. His subsequent exile in Europe was
responsible for not having the recognition he deserved. This brought a funky
share in "Raggedy and Dirty" anthology.
25-Johnny Winter - The
Progressive Blues Experiment (1969). If it were not for the cover, to hear how
well you would think this African touches hehe. Winter marks the beginning of
the blues. Fully visionary: a classic of classics.
26-Bobby 'Blue' Bland - Two Steps From
The Blues (1960). "Sophisticated" would be the right word to sum this
album. Not find gritty blues or Wolf Waters, rather gospel, rhythm & blues,
and soul by a voice that touched every inch compete with the figure of BBKing.
Elemental.
27-Jimmy Rogers - Chicago Bound (1976). He had the "bad
luck" to work with famous leaders. His talent always took a back seat.
This album shipped comfortable and good company (Muddy Waters, Little Walter,
Willie Dixon, Otis Spann and Big Walter Horton). The songs were recorded in the
'50s and recently edited in 76. The wait was well worth it!
28-Otis Spann - Is
The Blues (1960). The first work of the best pianist of postwar Chicago blues,
with their different albums toured foreign keys and had him as a sideman Chess
master, with his friend Robert Lockwood Jr., recorded this wonder.
29-Paul
Butterfield Blues Band - East West (1966). Paul on harmonica and vocals,
Bloomfield and Bishop on guitars, backed by a great rhythm section, throws
overboard the old blues structures shaping a fusion of jazz, rock and R & B
amazing. Indispensable.
30 - Otis Rush - Right Place Wrong Time (1976). It was
released five years after being recorded. Otis kept that particular stay away
from most studies of his life. Here the interpreter gives us an album full of
feelings, as compelling as was his life. Cracking this great lefty
31 - Son House - Delta Blues (1991).
Between 40 and 41 House recorded for Alan Lomax seal this album full of vibrant
slide, well complemented with the rough voice of one of the largest intimate
acoustic blues. I recommend watching the movie Black Snake Moan with Samuel L.
Jackson to further understand this phenomenon. A
32 - Etta James - At Last
(1961). This great singer here moves like a fish in water, there is the
subtlety of the passion on record as no one had done so far, can you imagine
the impact it must have been when James sang "I Just Wanna Make Love To
You "by then ...?
33 - Canned Heat - Boogie With Canned Head (1968). A
highly recommended album for those curious listeners of this music. In it you
will find a magical interaction between Wilson and Vestine on guitar to delight
us with good dose of electric blues and boogie-woogie, with a Bob
"Bear" Hite fantastic voice.
34-Skip James - Hard Time Killing Floor
Blues (1964). The voice of Skip James is one of the most unique blues music,
with a high tone and evocative capacity. In the first song of this album
singing with emotion, from the heart: "If I ever get out of this apartment
murderer, will never fall so low again, no-no, no-no, hard times here and
wherever you go, times are as hard as never before have been "Speechless.
35-George Thorogood - Move it on over (1978). A disc with ten tracks that are
not his own, but taken to their camp in an incredible way, the hurricane of
Delaware came to stay. A cannon. BACK NEXT
36-Clarence Gatemouth Brown - One More
Mile (1982). Grammy nominee, is the birth of the "Music Texas Style"
(blues, jazz, Cajun and country) and the showcasing of "Gatemouth" on
guitars and violin. It is strongly recommended the ballad "I Wonder".
37 - Charlie Mussel white's Southside Band - Stand Back! Here Comes (1967). At
just 22 years this Chicago harmonica achieved popularity with his husky voice
and virtuosity. The version of "Christ the Redeemer" and Duke Pearson
is returning the money you invested.
38-Fleetwood Mac - Inglés Rose (1969).
Green, Kirwan, McVie, Mick Fleetwood Spencer and that more could be said!
"Black Magic Woman", unsurpassed ...
39-Blind Willie Johnson - Dark
Was The Night (1998). The blues and spiritual conspired never as good as when I
realized Johnson. In a revered personality, your music sounds deep between
thumbs and banjo at the time of the Great Depression.
40 - Koko Taylor - Koko
Taylor (1969). The Queen of the Blues, the Queen of Chicago and greatest
discovery of Willie Dixon, in his first job where the hand of his godfather it
shows too much. Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Janis Joplin, and Susan
Tedeschi was named as an influence on their careers. BACK NEXT
41 - Stevie Ray Vaughan - Could not
Stand the Weather (1984). A bridge between the blues and rock, leading figure
in the revival of this music in the late 80s. Giant as the state of Texas.
42 -
ZZ Hill - I'm a Blues Man (1983). If anyone in the blues that has managed to
reinvent itself with an album, that's certainly ZZ Hill, with the help of
Vashti Jackson, Jimmy Johnson and Denise LaSalle return it to the big leagues,
one year after a heart attack would end unfortunately his life.
43-Gary Moore -
Still Got The Blues (1990). A blues with doses of hard incentives, the album
art is a true reflection of what we sounded when we were kids in our room. Best
of Gary no doubt in this circuit.
44-Robert Cray - Strong Persuader (1986).
Despite maintaining a distance from the old school blues by the beginning
souleros, embodied leave here quite acceptable to work for other blues purists.
If SRV was the black of white guitarist, Cray is reversed.
45-Lonnie Mack - The
Wham Of That Memphis Man (1964). With his trusty Flying V in tow achieved its
rise to popularity and most importantly: it's the first album I bought Vaughan,
thanks for everything Lonnie ...
46-Savoy Brown - Raw Sienna (1970).
Chris Youlden was the distinctive voice of British blues and after his
departure the band never recovered. Touching disk jazzy territory, thanks to
the leadership of Kim Simmonds, addresses a joint healthy piano and bass.
47-Son Seals - The Son Seals Blues Band (1973). When Alligator offers editing
his first job, Son and was an experienced musician who had worked with the
greatest. Do not bring anything new, but its proximity to the style of Albert
King with more aggressiveness, place it in a place of privilege.
48 - The
Fabulous Thunderbirds - Girls Go Wild (1979). This album marked the debut of
Texans. Although very little was valued at the time, now appears as a jewel of
modern blues. One of the most widely bluesy bands onstage amused no doubt.
49-Roy Buchanan - Roy Buchanan (1972). The largest and unknown bluesman in the
world making his Telecaster wail on his debut record deal. Martin Scorsese
chose her "Sweet Dreams" by the end of "The Departed".
50 -
Eric Clapton - From The Cradle (1994). After years of flirting with pop,
"Slow Hand" gives us a completely bluesy album that contains 16
versions of legendary bluesmen such as Leroy Carr, "Blues Before
Sunrise", "How Long Blues", Muddy Waters, "Standin 'Round
Crying" , and Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Coochie Man" and
"Groaning the Blues".
Epochs In the ages sixties, seventies
and eighties to the present day is given to demonstrate the blues.
video about of the music blues
video about of the music blues
