Jianqing Zheng: Site Visit
The Valley Store in Avalon, Mississippi, long abandoned, still holds its worn-out sign above the locked double doors. Many years ago, John Hurt lived nearby.
Video: Mississippi John Hurt | Spike Driver’s Blues
Mississippi John Hurt used a syncopated finger picking style of guitar playing that he taught himself. According to the music critic Robert Christgau, “No one else has talked the blues with such delicacy or restraint.”
Video: Unheard
Amidst the depths of despair, a grieving mother finds her voice to challenge the forces of injustice and inspire hope.
Video: Martha Redbone sings ‘Sleep Sleep Beauty Bright’ by William Blake
In an enchanting lyrical rendition of William Blake’s poem “Sleep Sleep Beauty Bright,” singer Martha Redbone blends rhythm, blues and soul with traditional Native American music.
Audio: Gil Scott-Heron | Pieces of a Man
I saw my daddy greet the mailman
And I heard the mailman say
“now don’t you take this letter to heart now Jimmy
Cause they’ve laid off nine others today”
Barbara E. Young: Blues for the Fisherman
Since the blues ought to be tall birds
wading and wailing
when the sun dies—
let the blues fill its lungs now
Video: Ana Popovic | Blues Woman
Ana Popovic is widely regarded as one of the best blues performers in the world.
Audio: Gil Scott-Heron | Home Is Where the Hatred Is
Home is where the needle marks
Try to heal my broken heart
Video: Pokey LaFarge "Garbage Man Blues"
Pokey LaFarge performing “Garbage Man Blues” at Music City Roots from the Loveless Cafe in Nashville.
Sandy Solomon: Amédé Ardoin
And now only his voice remains
as it cries through the needle scratch.
Across decades, that voice has entered
our voices: our style, our common despair.
Jose Padua: The Art of Moving or Alternate Interpretations of an Old Blues Song
Back then, whether or not you agreed with the white man, you didn’t question him, because that meant trouble and my family didn’t want trouble with anyone.
Cornelius Eady: Nina’s Blues
We drum rest
We drum thank you
We drum stay.
Video: Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues — As the Years Go Passing By
. You know my love will follow you As the years go passing by Give you all that I own That’s one thing you can’t deny… . “As the Years … Continue reading
