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Blues in the Community“Pre-War Blues”
1900-1945
Dr. Will WilliamsonAlona Williamson
a.k.a “Mosby Territory”Sponsored by the DC Blues Society
www.dcblues.org
Overview
• Who we are:– “Mosby Territory”– Blues, Rock, Folk and Country
singer/songwriter duo– www.MosbyTerritory.com
• What we will cover:– History– People– Instruments– Songs
Discussing blues history with blues giant Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
Why “Pre-War” (before WW2) Blues?
• Two important changes occurred in the 1940’s• Large scale migration of rural black population to
cities to work in wartime factories during World War II– Jazz-influenced blues became the “in” thing and “country
blues” was viewed as backwards– More Musicians on your block
• Invention of the electric guitar– Much more aggressive sounds – Bass and guitar divided what was done on one guitar in
country blues and got more specialized
This led to more band-based blues than individuals / duos
Mamie Smith:“Crazy Blues”
First recording by African-American
First Recorded Blues hit (1920)
Full Jazz Band
Prohibition and the roaring 20’s
• When was prohibition?? 1920—1931• Blues in clubs and ‘speakeasies’• Blues in house parties and rent parties– “Blues on the Block”
• Single women in cities– Modern Millie?
Women & The Blues
• Was Blues a Woman’s Genre?– History in Black Community– Perception in Jazz Recording
• Domestic violence• New found “freedom”• Lifestyle… (loose)
Collapse of recording industry in 1930’s
• Causes: Great Depression, Radio
• Effects:– Many players “lost” not to be “rediscovered” until
1960’s– Live music in small venues– Radio and travelling musicians spread music out of
regional microcosms
Keeping it Simple:The Diddley Bo to the Slide Guitar
Son House (1902-1988)“Walking Blues”
Diddley Bo Bo Diddley
Charlie Patton (c.1888 – 1934)
Ramblin’ on my Mind:The Travelling Blues Singer
“Juke Joints”
Robert Johnson (1911-1938)“Crossroad Blues”
Chicago Blues:The Great Flood of 1927 & The Great Migration
Black Population 1990
Black Population 1900
Racial Divisions
• Market segmentation by recording labels
• Musicians transcended these barriers but still were constrained by markets
Catfish Blues a.k.a. Rolling Stone, The Stars, the Almost Forgotten, and the Forgotten
And forgotten Bluesman Tom Toy…
Blues on Your Block:DC Blues Society – Free Jams
Electric Jam every 1st Sunday 4-8pmSilver Spring, MD
Acoustic Jam every 4th Sunday 11 am – 2 pmThe Mansion at O Street, Washington DC
http://www.dcblues.org/
Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation
Acoustic Jam Every Saturday 1-6 pmRiverdale, MD
http://www.acousticblues.com/
DCBS Annual Free Concert Labor Day Weekend at
Carter Barron Amphitheater in Washington, DC
NEXT WEEKEND!!!! 26th Annual FREE DC Blues Festival
Saturday, August 30, 2014 Noon-7:30pm
http://www.dcblues.org/
Take a Blues Vacation?
John Hurt’s CabinAvalon MS
Delta Blues MuseumClarksdale, MS
Or watch a video of someone else’s trip…
Bonnie Raitt / Chris Smither:“Love Me / You Like a Man”
Blues in the CommunitySlides are available at:
www.mosbyterritory.comDr. Will WilliamsonAlona WilliamsonSponsored by the DC Blues Society
www.dcblues.org
Gary Davis (1896-1972)Extensive Recordings 1955-1966
Blind Gary Davis “Hesitation Blues”
Rev. Gary Davis “I Heard the Angels Singing”