Books about the Blues that will have you Singing the Blues
Contents
If you’re a fan of the blues, check out our list of books about the genre that will have you singing the blues in no time! From histories of the blues to biographies of its most famous performers, these books will give you a new appreciation for the music you love.
The History of the Blues
The blues is a genre of music that originated in the African-American communities of the United States around the end of the 19th century. It is a style of music that is characterized by its use of the blue note, and its related scales and harmonies. The blues has been a major influence on many other genres of music, including jazz, rock & roll, and country music.
The earliest documented use of the term “blue note” in reference to music was in 1901, in an article titled “Some Aspects of Negro Music” in The Journal of American Folklore. In this article, the author, Henry Edward Krehbiel, was describing the music of black Americans. He wrote that “the blue note may be said to characterize negro melodies.” The term “blues” first appeared in print in 1912, in an article by W.C. Handy entitled “The Exposition Unveils the Blues.” In this article, Handy was describing a musical style that he had recently heard performed by a black musician in St. Louis, Missouri.
The blues became popular in mainstream culture during the 1920s and 1930s, when artists such as Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong began to record and perform it. The blues continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with artists such as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker becoming legends. During this same period, the genre began to experience a renaissance with younger generations of black musicians who were influenced by both traditional blues and contemporary styles such as jazz and rock & roll.
Today, the blues is more popular than ever before, with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King continuing to entertain audiences around the world. If you’re looking for some great books about the history of this genre of music, then check out our list below.
The Best Blues Books
The best blues books explore the history and origins of the music genre while also delving into the experiences of the artists who made it famous. If you want to learn about the blues, these are the books you need to read.
“The Best of the Blues” by Robert Santelli
In “The Best of the Blues,” Robert Santelli captures the history, the music, and the magic of the blues in one stunning volume. Bringing together more than ninety years of music and stories, Santelli introduces readers to the legends of the blues-including Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Janis Joplin-and tells the stories behind some of the most famous blues songs ever written.
With beautiful photography and moving first-person accounts from some of the genre’s most revered musicians, “The Best of the Blues” is an essential addition to any music lover’s library.
“The Soul of the Blues” by David Whiteis
In this definitive study, David Whiteis traces the evolution of the blues from its African American roots to its present-day incarnation as a truly American art form. He offers an enlightening perspective on the music, delving into its history, mythology, and social impact. He also profiles some of the most important figures in blues history, including Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King. With more than one hundred illustrations, The Soul of the Blues is an essential guide to this uniquely American music.
“The Blue Moment” by Richard Havers
Many people assume that the blues is a sad, melancholy music. But the truth is, the blues can be many things. It can be happy, sad, nostalgic, regretful, triumphant, or any other emotion you can think of. The blues is a feeling, and it’s one that everyone can relate to.
“The Blue Moment” by Richard Havers is one of the best books about the blues. It tells the story of the genre, from its roots in African-American culture to its popularity today. Havers interviewed some of the most famous blues musicians, including B.B. King and Muddy Waters, and he captures their stories in this book. If you want to understand the blues, this is a great place to start.
The Future of the Blues
“The New Blue Music” by Richard Martin
In “The New Blue Music,” Richard Martin brings the blues fully into the 21st century, chronicles its transformation over the past two decades, and provides an incisive look at where the music is heading. With unprecedented access to the genre’s key players, Martin captures the energy and excitement of a music in flux, as young artists innovate and revitalize an American institution. He also assesses the contributions of such giants as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Bonnie Raitt, and shows how their example is inspiring a new generation of musicians. “The New Blue Music” is essential reading for anyone who loves the blues.
“The State of the Blues” by William Ferris
“The State of the Blues” is a book about the future of the blues. Ferris, a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has written extensively on the subject of American music. In this book, he looks at the state of the blues today and how it is evolving. He also looks at the ways that technology is changing the way that people listen to and experience music.
