Daughter of the Blues: Shemekia Copeland
What did Shemekia Copeland's father, Johnny Copeland, do to help her career? What are the influences on her singing? Why aren't there more daughters o...
Blues on My Mind
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Discussion of blues music. Each episode analyzes one or two blues songs. Topics cover lyrics, musical structure, history and meaning of songs.
Blues as Inheritance: Kenny Neal's "Bloodline"
How do people come to play the blues? What's the relationship between the blues and the church? Explore these and other questions in Kenny Neal's "Blo...
Natural Disaster: Bessie Smith's "Back Water Blues"
What is stride piano? What does it sound like? What does James P. Johnson contribute to Bessie Smith's rendition of "Back Water Blues"? Explore these...
Muddy Waters: My Home Is in the Delta
Why did Muddy Waters record an acoustic album in 1965? How does the sound on the LP differ from his electric work? Why is he singing about leaving Chi...
Blues and Zydeco: Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers?
What do blues and zydeco have in common? What does it sound like when a zydeco artist covers a blues song? Explore these and other questions with Beau...
Toronzo Cannon: "Bad Contract"
What's new about the Chicago sound of Toronzo Cannon? What kind of a contract is he talking about? What does it have to do with the history of the blu...
B. B. King Tells a Tale: "Sweet Sixteen"
How does B. B. King tell a story? What are the lyrical elements? What does he achieve with Lucille? Explore these questions in "Sweet Sixteen."
Lonnie Johnson: Revealer of Deceit
Why does Lonnie Johnson get overlooked as a blues musician? What's different about his music? What is his social message? Explore these questions in "...
Buddy Guy: Keeping the Blues Fresh
What characterizes Buddy Guy's sound? What do the blues symbolize in songs? Explore these and other questions in "First Time I Met the Blues."
Pain behind the Happiness: Billy Boy Arnold
Why do a tribute album to Big Bill Broozy? How can songs evoke pain and sadness and still sound happy? Explore these and other issues in Billy Boy Arn...