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Big Joe Williams was part of the first generation of blues players, and lived to help spark the blues revival of the 1960’s. An active performing and…
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“Summertime” is considered one of George Gershwin’s finest songs. Collaborating with his brother Ira and lyricist DuBoseHeyward, Gershwin composed the…
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Elmore James is a giant of the blues. His work as a songwriter, singer and guitarist put him near the top of the short list of greats. The songs he wrote…
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In the span of Howlin’ Wolf’s life and career he saw virtually the entire progression of blues from a rural, acoustic music through the birth of modern…
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It’s one of the most widely played songs in the blues, but not much is known about Robert Petway, the man who recorded the definitive early version of…
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Skip James was one of the first influential blues players. Although he came from the same Mississippi culture that produced Delta blues, James had a…
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Blind Lemon Jefferson was one of the defining guitarists of Texas Blues of the 1920’s. Influenced by the country and gospel music of Texas, he also heard…
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Chances are you know the song “My Babe”, made popular by Little Walter in 1955. Except for the lyrics, “My Babe” is nearly identical to the gospel song…
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Tampa Red was a slide guitar pioneer who helped create the template for modern blues. His distinctive use of single-string slide melodies in the 1920’s…
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Otis Rush brought such passion and emotion to his singing and guitar playing that his music has been called “frighteningly intense”. Rush never achieved…