Blues is a word you have to think about before it can be understood. Contrary to popular belief, blues – as a form of music – does not appear until 1910 or so, that is after ragtime and jazz. Blues is not, therefore, the cornerstone of popular music. Rather, it has become an emotional response, through music to a variety of oppressive social conditions.
The Episode begins in the Delta of Mississippi and follow the progress of itinerant blues musicians to the steel mills and automobile factories of Chicago; from harmonica and fiddle, to electric guitar and fashionable nightclub. Finally, the Episode shows how blues phrases and harmonies were stolen by white rock n rollers in need of a new gimmick.
featuring
B.B. King
Bessie Smith
Billie Holiday
Leadbelly
Memphis Slim
Mighty Joe Young
Muddy Waters
Ray Charles
Roosevelt Sykes
Son House
Victoria Spivey
Willie 'The Lion' Smith
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Ready to Watch All You Need Is Love The Story of Popular Music, Season 1, Episode 5?