Book Review: "The Blues: A Visual History"

          Right out of the gate, I can tell you that I recommend this book to anyone. Author Mike Evans does a great job laying out the history of the blues according to sub-genre, artist, and chronology. Just as pleasing as the writing, the photographs, vintage flyers and posters, and illustrations bring the music and artists to life. Evans mixes things up with a very aesthetically pleasing book (as the title implies) beyond merely the images.  The book itself is large with many full page photographs and quotes or descriptions to accompany. There are also artist profiles throughout the book for a quick look and the blues' biggest names.
          The writing is a bit dry at times and Evans sticks to a mostly descriptive style. However, for blues fans this is easy to overlook. The book is dense with history and keeps you turning the page. It is a relatively short book (256 pages with the text taking up no more than half of any given page) but I found myself taking longer to finish it that I thought I would. I wanted to take the time to read every image description and study the photographs. I tried to throw myself into the period and situation of every section. It was immensely enjoyable.
          It is worth mentioning here that contributing editor on The Blues: A Visual History was Robert Gordon who is a seasoned blues historian and author of (among others) Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters, which I hope to soon read. Evans himself is also author of many other works in musicology.
          I give this great book a rating of 4.5 stars. If you are a veteran blues fan there might be a lot of history in here that you are already aware of but the visuals give it a breath of new life. Please, check for this book at your local library or book store.

Why do people like the blues?

          This is a question that can be asked of any musical genre (or any art form for that matter). To me, the answer, as it relates to the blues, is feeling. If you don't feel it, it doesn't mean anything. The emotions that the blues invokes is more than just a pleasant feeling of musical enjoyment -- it is a sensation that can only be described as electric. Even in the times before Muddy Waters, when electric blues was on the prepuce of the fringe, the feeling of the blues was still primal. It moved, soothed, grooved, and sometimes elates its listeners. If there is anything that I can convey to the modern man and woman just starting to listening to blues, it is this: forget what you know; listen to the emotion of the music; let it move you; let it groove you; do not let the main stream music scene tell you what is cool and what is not. Feel the music and judge for yourself. Peace.

American Folk Blues Festival

          In the 1960s, Europe hosted a series of tours of American blues musicians known as the American Folk Blues Festival (originally billed as the American Negro Blues Festival). Many of these were filmed including German and British events. Footage was released on DVDs in 2003 and are now, in my opinion, some of the greatest (if not the greatest) live blues video recording one could experience.

          The films, titled simply The American Folk Blues Festival, span 1962 to 1969 and are composed of three volumes. Big Mamma Thorton, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Earl Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Willie Dixon, and John Lee Hooker are just a few of the blues legends who performed. The only downside of the three-part set is that it leaves you wanting more. Much more -- which I suppose is not all together bad.

          There is also another release of the same name and subtitled The British Tours 1963-1966. I have not had the opportunity to view this, however, if it is half as good as the aforementioned set, it is worthy of any blues lover's collection. In short: watch these videos. It might very well turn many people on to blues and deepen the appreciation of the music for those who are already fans.

          Happy watching!

(Not so original) Original Blues Song

This is my first attempt at writing a blues song so don't judge too harshly. It was fun and maybe I'll get better at it.


When I get tired and lonesome
Can't nothin in the world undo these blues
When I get tired and lonesome
Can't nothin in the world undo these blues
Nothin but a bottle and a woman
And one day they will put me in my tomb

Often times I lay awake at night
Askin why oh why can't I change my ways
Often times I lay awake at night
Askin why oh why can't I change my ways
Despair done took a hold on me
I'm feelin like it's the end of days

Well I went down to the church
Said 'Preacher what can I do?'
He said 'Boy ain't nothin I can do to help
I believe it's just too late for you

Well I get so tired and lonesome
Can't nothin in the world undo these blues
Nothin but a bottle and a woman
And one day they will put me in my tomb

Well I went to my dear mother
Said 'mother help me if you please'
She said 'Son you're on your own'
And I fell down on my knees

You know I often lay awake at night
Askin why oh why can't I change my ways
Despair done took a hold on me
Lord I do believe it is the end of days