Questions in Music
Blues is a popular, tradition oriented music style of post-civil war rural South African American origin with secular (never sacred), it was identified as such as early as 1909. Blue is African American music which has appeared in America since at least 1890. For Africans enslaved in America they developed the early music. Blues among them was first studied in 1867 as a”white tune." Blues were produced from the songs sung by slaves partly at hollers. DuBois called them “sorrow songs." These combined in 19th and early 20th century into African American music Sang blues. The themes varied from love, sex, poverty, drinking. In 1912 W.C. Handy, referred to as the” Father of Blues," copyrighted the Memphis blues; i.e. translated the existing music into an accessible format. Some artists by 1920 took to popularize the blue with orchestras, these included Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey and Besse Smith. In 1940, the folklorist Alan Lomax made a journey to the Delta collecting and recording music popularizing artists like Muddy waters.Early blues and African American spirituals filled the churches and helped integrate the communities. In the 20th century, Dorsey became a renowned composer and his colleague Mahalia Jackson the paradigmatic singer. 1. Roots of blues (1900-1960) – African retentions, plantation and work songs, minstrel music, popular dance music, rural ballads. The artists included Alisewo (Dembo Konte & Kausu Kuyateh with Mawdo Suso) Walk right in -Cannon's Jug Stompers and O death - Bessie Jone.
Folk blues- the acoustic guitar driven styles of blues. Composer W.C H, Charlie Patton (PONY Charley Patton)INCLUDED travelling African- American , Delta blues3. Classic blues- by female vocalists accompanists. Mamie smith (crazy blues), Ma Rainey4. Urban blues- 1960 Chicago Blues and Electric Blues, Tampa Red and Georgia DoseEffects of psychedelic on popular music of the mid-sixties Popuularly known for “light my fire” experience, drugs and music industry were going hand in hand. This incidence was seen with jazz musicians smoking marijuana and heroine. Musicians were inspired by drugs, devoid of which there would be no music. Thus, culture led to changes of sound and lyrical music. Beatniks, a group that had given cultural icons.up on America was formed, concerned with creative expression. This they did through drug use, Their ideas led to formation of musicians Development of the American counterculture led to rising of deviant youths who were opposing any views from the mainstream. The growth of sixties ' music was intertwined with increased use of hallucinogens, marijuana and beer became popular. Be-In brought psychedelic rock musicians together. Famous and successful musicians took hallucinogens before performance The counterculture of 1960 faded away fast after the commitment to drug using jazz. Songs supporting the psychedelia effect are 13 the floor elevator, Isaw her standing there (Beatles), It is all right (Impressions), hello stranger (Barbara Lewis), from me to you(Beatles), In my room (beach boys), baby workout (Jack Wilson).
References
Grinspoon, L., & Bakalar, J. B. (1983). Psychedelic reflections. New York, N.Y: Human Sciences Press.
Masters, R. E. L., & Houston, J. (2000). The varieties of psychedelic experience: The classic guide to the effects of LSD on the human psyche. Rochester, Vt: Park Street Press.
Stewart, E. L. (1998). African American music: An introduction. New York: Schirmer Books. Hall, Tommy. "Roller Coaster." Psychedelic Sounds of The 13th Floor Elevators. International Artists, 1966.
Gates, David. "Requiem for the Dead: Grateful Dead lead Jerry Garcia dies." Newsweek Aug. 21 1995: 46+
Brown, G. "Turned-on, tuned-in and dropped-out sounds." The Denver Post 6 Apr. 2003: F-06
Shapiro, Harry. Waiting For the Man: The Story of Drugs and Popular Music. Southampton: Camelot Press Plc, 1988.
