The Best French Blues Music to Listen to Right Now
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Check out our top picks for the best French blues music to listen to right now. From classic to contemporary, there’s something for everyone.
French Music Basics
Though it’s sometimes erroneously lumped in with other types of European music, French blues has its own unique history and flavor. If you’re new to the genre, this guide will give you a crash course in the best French blues music to listen to right now.
The history of French blues music
The history of French blues music is a long and complicated one, spanning several centuries and multiple genres. It is thought to have originated in the early 1800s with the arrival of African slaves in Louisiana. These slaves brought with them a style of music known as the blues, which would eventually make its way up the Mississippi River and into the American South.
In the early 1900s, African Americans began migrating from the South to cities like Chicago and Detroit in search of better economic opportunities. This migration had a profound impact on the evolution of blues music, as it exposed more people to this new style of music. The 1920s saw the rise of “classic” or “traditional” blues, which was characterized by artists like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith.
During the 1930s and 1940s, a new form of blues began to emerge: electric blues. This type of blues was influenced by other genres like jazz and gospel, and was popularized by artists such as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. In the 1950s, British musicians like Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies began playing electric blues, which would eventually lead to the development of British rock bands like The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac.
Today, French blues music is more popular than ever before. A new generation of artists are keeping this rich tradition alive, while also blending it with other genres to create something entirely new. If you’re looking for some good French blues music to listen to right now, check out our list below.
The different subgenres of French blues music
French blues is a style of music that developed in France in the early 20th century. Though it shares some similarities with American blues music, it has its own distinct style and sound.
There are several different subgenres of French blues music, each with its own unique characteristics. The most popular and well-known subgenre is probably Parisian or Gypsy blues, which developed in the jazz clubs of Paris in the 1920s and 1930s. This style of music combines elements of both American and European music, and is often characterized by its use of improvisation.
Another popular subgenre of French blues is Marseille blues, which developed in the southern city of Marseille in the 1940s. This style tends to be more rootsy and down-to-earth than other French blues styles, and often features slide guitar playing.
Finally, there is Corsican blues, which is a more recent form of French blues that developed on the Mediterranean island of Corsica in the 1970s. This style combines elements of both French and Italian music, and is often characterized by its use of accordion playing.
The Best French Blues Music to Listen to Right Now
French blues music has a long and rich history. The genre is one of the most influential in the world, and has produced some of the most iconic musicians. If you’re looking for some French blues music to listen to right now, look no further. Here are the best French blues albums to listen to right now.
The best French blues albums
There are many different types of French blues music, but the best French blues albums typically feature a mix of traditional and modern styles. French blues often has a softer, more soulful sound than its American counterpart, and it frequently incorporates elements of other genres such as jazz and pop.
Some of the best French blues albums currently available include “Mr. Blue” by Stef Paoletti, “Le Blues de France” by Yvonne Moore, and “Paris Blues” by Lucky Peterson. These albums all offer something unique and are sure to please even the most discerning listener. If you’re looking for the perfect way to relax and unwind, look no further than these excellent French blues albums.
The best French blues songs
The best French blues songs are those that have a deep and soulful sound that can transport you to another time and place. These songs have a certain je ne sais quoi that is hard to explain, but you know it when you hear it.
There are many French blues songs out there, but we have compiled a list of our favorites for you to check out. From the classic sound of “Ma Petite Fleur” by Sidney Bechet to the contemporary feel of “J’ai Deux Amours” by Patricia Kaas, these songs are sure to please.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best French blues music out there!
The best French blues artists
The blues is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities of the Southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emerged from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll, is characterized by the call-and-response pattern, the blues scale and specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues is the most common. Blue notes (or “worried notes”), usually thirds or fifths flattened in pitch are also an essential part of the sound. Blues shuffles or walking bass reinforce the trance-like rhythm and form a repetitive effect called a groove.
Blues as a genre is also characterized by its lyrics, bass lines, and instrumentation. Early traditional blues verses consisted of a single line repeated four times. It was only in the first decades of the 20th century that the most common current structure became standard: verses consisted of a conglomerate of several lines totaling 16 bars in length, sung by a lead vocalist supported by one or more backup singers; respectively written in minor key tonality with an effective range limited to one octave range Fasching & Olson 20] about 3 to 4 minutes in duration).
The best French blues artists are those who have managed to infuse the genre with their own unique style while still staying true to its roots. Here are some of the best French blues artists you should be listening to right now:
1) Toussaint McCall: Toussaint McCall is a French Blues artist who got his start in music as a guitarist in Paris clubs. He is best known for his song “Nothing Takes the Place of You”, which has been covered by many other artists including Bonnie Raitt and Ray Charles.
2) Christone “Kingfish” Ingram: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is a 21-year old Mississippi-born, France-based guitar prodigy who is being hailed as one of the best young guitarists on the scene today. His debut album “Kingfish” was released in 2019 to critical acclaim.
3) Ally Venable Band: The Ally Venable Band is fronted by 21-year old Texas native Ally Venable on guitar and vocals. They released their debut album “Puppet Show” in 2018 to great acclaim. The band’s sound has been described as “a mix of Texas roadhouse blues and Rock & Roll”.
4) Sly Johnson: Sly Johnson is a French soul singer who got his start singing with legendary French funk band Les Nubians. He has since gone on to have a successful solo career with several albums to his credit. His latest album “Everything Changes” was released in 2019.