Compare And Contrast Walking Blues Vs Kentucky

argumentative Essay

579 words

Walking Blues vs. Blue Moon of Kentucky As time progressed, music had to continue to evolve to keep up with the ever-changing styles. Blues slowly began to morph into Rock and Roll to engage people of a new era. While many changes occurred in creating Rock and Roll, it continued to carry undertones of the Blues. This can be heard while comparing Son House’s, “Walking Blues” and Elvis Presley’s, “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” These two songs show many similarities, while also having their own identities. There are two main similarities that can be heard while listening to “Walking Blues” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” The first is that they are both in 12 bar blues form. One characteristic of 12 bar blues is repeating the first line. Both songs incorporate this feature. In “Walking Blues” the first few lines are: Well I go up this morning, feeling ‘round for my shoes Know about that, I got the walkin’ blues I said I got up this morning, I was feeling ‘round for my shoes …show more content…

(Elvis Presley) The second characteristic of 12 bar blues, that both of these songs obtain is rhymed couplets. Song lyrics like chill and will, blues and shoes, and blue and you are all examples of this element in “Walking Blues”. Elvis also rhymes with words such as bright and tonight and high and bye. 12 bar blues is not the only similarity that this duo has, though. While listening to “Walking Blues” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” similar instruments can be heard in the background. Both of these songs feature guitars. Son House, while singing, is playing his guitar with bent notes. He also used his notable slide technique to create a unique sound. In “Blue Moon of Kentucky” Presley featured Scotty Moore on the Electric Guitar and Bill Black on the Bass. The instrumentals in this song helped create an upbeat tempo that would lead to sucess. While there are many similarities there are also a number of

In this essay, the author

Compares son house's "walking blues" and elvis presley' "blue moon of kentucky."
Compares "walking blues" and "blue moon of kentucky." both songs are in 12 bar blues form, with repeating the first line.
Narrates how the lyrics of "blue moon of kentucky" can be heard in the beginning lines of the song.

Compares son house's "walking blues" and elvis presley' "blue moon of kentucky."
Compares "walking blues" and "blue moon of kentucky." both songs are in 12 bar blues form, with repeating the first line.
Narrates how the lyrics of "blue moon of kentucky" can be heard in the beginning lines of the song.
Compares 12 bar blues and elvis' "walking blues" in terms of rhymed couplets.
Analyzes the similarities and differences between "walking blues" and "blue moon of kentucky."
Compares the tempo of elvis' "blue moon of kentucky" with son house's "walking blues".
Analyzes the influence of blues on rock and roll by examining "walking blues" and "blue moon of kentucky."

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Genre History: Blues
analytical essay
Many styles of blues demonstrate similar sonic characteristics. Additionally, these techniques and ideas carry on to many different genres. Repeated progressions of chords and a cyclic form pair with the call and response song scheme to form an easily distinguishable style.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the musical genre of blues began as working songs and field hollers sung by african american slave communities, beginning in the late 1800's to early 1900’s.
- Explains that delta blues was the earliest form of music brought by african slaves to the states. the guitar and the harmonica were the primary tool of the bluesmen.
- Analyzes how delta blues emerged from the slave work songs, influencing later musicians. the song "i be’s troubled" by muddy waters is an example of the delta sound that would shape and influence the chicago, memphis and rock styles of music.
- Explains that the musical genre of blues began as working songs and field hollers sung by african american slave communities, beginning in the late 1800's to early 1900’s.
- Explains that delta blues was the earliest form of music brought by african slaves to the states. the guitar and the harmonica were the primary tool of the bluesmen.
- Analyzes how delta blues emerged from the slave work songs, influencing later musicians. the song "i be’s troubled" by muddy waters is an example of the delta sound that would shape and influence the chicago, memphis and rock styles of music.
- Explains that the chicago blues style, named so from its city of origin, began to take form in the late 1940's.
- Explains that many styles of blues demonstrate similar sonic characteristics. repeated progressions of chords and a cyclic form pair with the call and response song scheme to form an easily distinguishable style.
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The Blues: The Origin Of The Blues
analytical essay
Like Barlow, Palmer notes the association between the blues and folk in which the latter was converted to the former over time. Indeed, Palmer’s explanation of the blues’ origin notes that the emergence of common subjects including women and hard luck signified the process of folk songs becoming the blues. Such common subjects can be described as related to personal experiences, and Barlow noted this by explaining the blues’ standard form revolves around personal experience. This means the blues most probably originated out of experience African-Americans were subjected to and this formed the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the origins of the blues as a genre, possibly because of its influence in modern-day music world.
- Analyzes barlow's work, "i been' buked and i been scorned the folk roots of the blues" as the first signal towards modern-day popular music styles.
- Analyzes how barlow sums up the blues' origin as part of the increased cultural response to white oppression in general.
- Analyzes the origins of the blues as a genre, possibly because of its influence in modern-day music world.
- Analyzes barlow's work, "i been' buked and i been scorned the folk roots of the blues" as the first signal towards modern-day popular music styles.
- Analyzes how barlow sums up the blues' origin as part of the increased cultural response to white oppression in general.
- Analyzes how palmer and barlow's explanation of the blues' origin is associated with the blacks. they note a strong influence by white culture by mid or late 18th century.
- Analyzes palmer's explanation of the blues' origin. palmer notes that the emergence of common subjects including women and hard luck signified the process of folk songs becoming the blues.
- Analyzes how palmer's songs were characteristic in their paradoxical humor, overriding concern with associations between sexes, as well as their unselfconscious combination of imagery from the bedroom and the church.
- Analyzes how barlow and palmer's description of the origin of blues is similar in that they pinpoint the west africa region as the genre’s roots.
- Explains that palmer notes that the blues' roots lie in west african coast extending from modern-day gambia, guinea and senegal. the slaves from these regions were musically inclined and carried with them the participative nature of african music.
- Compares palmer's description of the blues and country music, stating that the music was ragtime and closer in character to the chants used by the backs in the south.
- Compares barlow's description of the blues' origin to that of black folk music that involved the collective expression of african-american experiences over time.
- Analyzes how barlow associates the blues' origin with african-american folk ballads.
- Explains that unlike palmer, who associated the blues with country music, barlow points out that african-american folk ballad had a telling influence on the formation or the origin of the blues.
- Analyzes how the two authors agree that the blues originated from west africa and that slaves from these regions carried with them their culture and started singing a genre that did not exist in the united states.
- Concludes that the blues' origin and influence cannot be traced to a particular period. it is clear that african-american culture had much to do with it.
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Charles Carroll: A History of a Blues
explanatory essay
Since most of the earlier blues artists were illiterate, few could read music either. This made improvisation of both lyrics and music a fundamental part and a hallmark of the blues. But from this improvisation evolved patterns, one of the most important and influential being the twelve bar blues, which is still widely recognized today. This pattern took form in the first decade of the twentieth century and consisted of three chords. The one chord, the four chord, and the five chord, with the seventh note flatted. This pattern is as...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the blues originated as an artistic expression of african americans in the south and reflected the attitudes and emotions of southern africans dating back to the early 1900's.
- Explains that improvisation was a hallmark of the blues, and that the twelve bar pattern is still widely recognized today. the beatles, the rolling stones and jack white all use this pattern.
- Explains that new orleans blues was developed in the 1940s and 50s from the cities own rich history of the blues.
- Explains that the blues originated as an artistic expression of african americans in the south and reflected the attitudes and emotions of southern africans dating back to the early 1900's.
- Explains that improvisation was a hallmark of the blues, and that the twelve bar pattern is still widely recognized today. the beatles, the rolling stones and jack white all use this pattern.
- Explains that new orleans blues was developed in the 1940s and 50s from the cities own rich history of the blues.
- Explains that new orleans blues uses a lot of piano and horn and was inspired by the caribbean beat which gives it an upbeat and bright feel.
- Explains that swing blues was a precursor to rhythm and blues and rock & roll. it used fewer string instruments and improvised arrangements.
- Explains the genre of country blues, which originated in the early sixties and was driven by acoustic guitars. many musicians, like sonny boy williamson, reinvented their musical styles.
- Explains that boogie woogie blues became popular in the late 1930's in marshall, texas, home to the texas & pacific railway.
- Opines that blues music is a true american art form and an important lesson to the history of african americans from the time of slavery.
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The Blues
explanatory essay
Then these artists moved on from the shows in the South to the permanent Vaudeville theatres of New york, where their songs were written specifically for a broader audience by professional black song writers such as William Handy who was based in Memphis who composed and simply published several of the early classics such as Memphis Blues which was originally written in 1909 for a political campaign but was only published in 1912, St Louis Blues (1914), Loveless love (1921), Harlem blues (1923). The twelve-bar structure that eventually became the standard was an invention of these urban songwriters: the original blues music was largely free
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the second line would be a repeat of the same words to emphasise the emotion being experienced.
- Explains how blues chord progressions are based on the first i, fourth iv, and fifth v notes of the eight note scale.
- Explains the origins of the blues, which originated in the mississippi delta region and spread to memphis, chicago, and new orleans.
- Explains that the second line would be a repeat of the same words to emphasise the emotion being experienced.
- Explains how blues chord progressions are based on the first i, fourth iv, and fifth v notes of the eight note scale.
- Explains the origins of the blues, which originated in the mississippi delta region and spread to memphis, chicago, and new orleans.
- Explains that blues stars like bessie smith, ida cox prather, and ma rainey started out in minstrel shows, then moved on to the permanent vaudeville theatres of new york where their songs were written specifically for a broader audience.
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Research
analytical essay
Elvis Presley is not known as the King of Rock and Roll for any old reason. He revolutionized the music of his time and greatly affected the music that would come after him. The development of the music style known as Rock and Roll stemmed from many different types of music that were already in existence. Elvis’ musical style was generated from three main genres. He fused African American blues, southern country western and Christian gospel music together to form his unique sound (Jeansonne). His early music fell under a genre known as “rockabilly” which then evolved into his own style of Rock and Roll. Rockabilly is known as one of the earliest, rawest forms of rock and roll. It is the blending of bluegrass and rhythm and blues which led to an upbeat lighthearted musical style and lyrics.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that elvis presley is not known as the king of rock and roll for any old reason. he revolutionized the music of his time and greatly affected music that would follow him.
- Explains that rockabilly was formed in the southern united states with its pioneers being the likes of elvis, bill haley, carl perkins, jerry lee lewis and many more.
- Explains that rock and roll resembles blues and country western, and that elvis strayed to many different ends of the rock-and-roll spectrum as a catalyst for his music.
- Explains that elvis presley is not known as the king of rock and roll for any old reason. he revolutionized the music of his time and greatly affected music that would follow him.
- Explains that rockabilly was formed in the southern united states with its pioneers being the likes of elvis, bill haley, carl perkins, jerry lee lewis and many more.
- Explains that rock and roll resembles blues and country western, and that elvis strayed to many different ends of the rock-and-roll spectrum as a catalyst for his music.
- Argues that elvis was a cultural pioneer as well as musical pioneer. his ability to connect with audiences gave him an image that was larger than life.
674 words
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Music of the South
explanatory essay
The blues was very popular during the 1920s to the 1930s with the blacks and was starting to grow for whites. Classic city blues was dominated by female singers. Usually they performed with jazz musicians with a call-and-response between the music and the singer. The blues was very closely distinguished with jazz because both included each other in their music and the blues had an influence towards the beginnings of jazz. The boogie-woogie, which is like ragtime, is closely related to the blues. The blues became popular about the same time as country...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the south has two types of music, country music of the whites and blues of blacks, due to the isolation and conservatism of south.
- Analyzes the blues and how grief can become a form of popular music. they also look at the origins of country music, including dolly parton, johnny cash, loretta lynn, and randy travis.
- Explains that the first music of the south is the blues, which is about an individual's grief while facing the world by your own self.
- Explains that the south has two types of music, country music of the whites and blues of blacks, due to the isolation and conservatism of south.
- Analyzes the blues and how grief can become a form of popular music. they also look at the origins of country music, including dolly parton, johnny cash, loretta lynn, and randy travis.
- Explains that the first music of the south is the blues, which is about an individual's grief while facing the world by your own self.
- Explains that the blues was very popular during the 1920s to the 1930s with the blacks and was starting to grow for whites.
- Describes ma rainey as the first woman mainstream singer to bring blues to the country. she joined the rabbit foot minstrels at the age of 14 where she mentored bessie smith.
- Describes bessie smith as a blues icon who was born in 1895 in chattanooga, tennessee. after her mother's death, she began performing to support her family. she auditioned for the moses stokes' travelling show in 1912 and met ma rainey.
- Explains that bessie smith faced many racial discriminations throughout her professional singing career and was even removed from some acts because her skin was considered too black. she recorded with columbia under a separate division for "race" records.
- Explains that muddy waters was one of the great male blues singers. he was born in rolling fork, mississippi, and was raised by his grandmother in clarksdale.
- Describes how he moved to chicago during the middle of the war and performed at house parties or small taverns. he recorded with aristocrat-later chess-records and formed a country group.
- Explains that b.b. king was born on september 16, 1925 in mississippi. he performed on the streets for money and traveled to memphis, tennessee to pursue his musical career in 1947.
- Explains that country music, also known as "hillbilly music," is identified with a certain style of singing, distinctive melodies and harmonies, and usually played on stringed instruments.
- Explains that country music is a mix of realism and sentimentality which touches one's emotions. the themes usually consist of love, death, religion, or homesickness.
- Describes dolly parton as a great country singer who came from having nothing. she was born on january 19, 1946 in tennessee.
- Describes dolly's hits, including "something fishy" and "dumb blond". she later married carl dean and recorded as a solo artist.
- Describes johnny cash as one of the great country singers of 20th century. he was born on february 26, 1932 in kingsland arkansas and lived a country farm life.
- Explains that johnny cash was under sam phillips' sun records with his band the tennessee three. some of his hits from the 1050s include "ring of fire", "understand your man", and "i got strips."
- Explains that cash's addiction to narcotics made a bad impact on his career in the mid-1960s. cash won many awards during this era of his life.
- Describes how johnny cash formed the highwaymen with waylon jennings, willie nelson, and kris kristofferson. their single "highwayman" was a no. 1 hit.
- Explains that loretta lynn was born in butcher holler, kentucky, of eight children, married at the age of 14 to oliver lynn, and was spotted by norm burley on a television talent contest.
- Analyzes how loretta's music was heavily influenced by kitty wells. she had a strong female view and wronged her own songs such as "you ain't woman enough (to take my man)" and "fist city".
- Explains that randy travis created a movement with country music. he was born randy bruce traywick on may 4, 1959.
- Narrates how randy ray moved to nashville, where he worked as a cook, dishwasher, and singer. he recorded his first album himself and signed with warner brothers in 1985.
- Explains that travis signed with dreamworks records in 1997 and had his first hit "you and you alone" in 1998.
- Describes the two greatest music of the south: country music and the blues. both were made up of american music's origins, from ma rainey to randy travis.
- Describes the works of bessie smith, dolly parton, and johnny cash.
- Explains loretta lynn, b.b. king, randy travis, ma rainey, and the rock and roll hall of fame.
2002 words
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Comparing Rural Blues And Jazz
analytical essay
Rural blues, being simple and unorganized, and rhythm and blues, being more complex and beat oriented, both portray the same song in virtually opposite ways. Both were entertaining in their own ways, and both of the artists were able grasp and hold the audience’s attention. Johnson’s rural blues version of “Crossroad” was heartfelt and story like with his little instrumental influence and his simple organization. When listening, the audience is able to hear his pure emotion and connection to the lyrics through his raw vocals. Clapton’s rhythm and blues version of “Crossroad” felt rehearsed and preformed; his use of strong beats, strict musical structure, and improvisation made the experience entertaining but very instrumentally focused. By comparing the two types of jazz, the listener is able to comprehend how much jazz has evolved throughout the years. Although one might prefer a specific style over the other, both are intriguing in their own ways and emphasize the strong influence jazz has in our
In this essay, the author
- Explains that jazz, a form of music descending from african roots, has evolved throughout the years and has been reconfigured many times resulting in various types of "jazz."
- Analyzes how robert johnson's version of "crossroad" conveyed a personal account of daily life in the south without complicated musical additions.
- Analyzes how clapton's rhythm and blues style was opposite of the rural blues characteristics. the band consisted of two types of guitars, tambourines, maracas, and an electric keyboard.
- Explains that jazz, a form of music descending from african roots, has evolved throughout the years and has been reconfigured many times resulting in various types of "jazz."
- Analyzes how robert johnson's version of "crossroad" conveyed a personal account of daily life in the south without complicated musical additions.
- Analyzes how clapton's rhythm and blues style was opposite of the rural blues characteristics. the band consisted of two types of guitars, tambourines, maracas, and an electric keyboard.
- Compares the two types of jazz: rural blues, unorganized, and rhythm, which portray the same song in virtually opposite ways. both were entertaining in their own ways and emphasize the strong influence jazz has in our culture.
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William Christopher Handy
explanatory essay
the blues were a type of black folk song little known beyond the southern United
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the blues were a type of black folk song little known beyond the southern united states.
- Narrates how the son of former slaves left home as a 15-year-old to work in traveling.
- Explains that his own work consisted of elements of all these in addition to folk ballads.
- Explains that the blues were a type of black folk song little known beyond the southern united states.
- Narrates how the son of former slaves left home as a 15-year-old to work in traveling.
- Explains that his own work consisted of elements of all these in addition to folk ballads.
- Narrates how he moved to new york city in 1918 and continued to work as a journalist.
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Blues Song Analysis
analytical essay
Blues, a genre of music originated by African Americans around the end of the 19th century. This genre used many musical aspects from African-American work songs, African musical traditions and folk music. In order to determine what characteristically is deemed a ‘blues song’, stylistic components of blues as well as mood or emotion are the main corresponding influential factors to illustrate the blues musical genre. Blues form is also characterised by call-and response, meaningful lyrics of hurt or sorrow and a specific chord progression known as the 12-bar blues. Solomon Burke’s live performance of “If you need me”, a song originally written by Wilson Pickett and popularised by Solomon Burke, has definitively captivated the blues musical
In this essay, the author
- Explains the genre of blues music originated by african americans around the end of the 19th century. it used many musical aspects from african-american work songs, african musical traditions and folk music.
- Analyzes how solomon burke's use of repetition for the harmonising layers allows the listener to clearly identify the structure and draw more focus to the lyrics describing pain and anguish.
- Analyzes how solomon burke creates a blues musical performance in the first verse.
- Explains the genre of blues music originated by african americans around the end of the 19th century. it used many musical aspects from african-american work songs, african musical traditions and folk music.
- Analyzes how solomon burke's use of repetition for the harmonising layers allows the listener to clearly identify the structure and draw more focus to the lyrics describing pain and anguish.
- Analyzes how solomon burke creates a blues musical performance in the first verse.
- Analyzes how solomon burke's 12 bar blues creates a lax atmosphere by using supporting layers to create fills in response to the gaps left by the melodic layer.
- Analyzes how solomon burke's live performance at one of his 21st century concerts has captivated the blues musical form.
848 words
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Contributions Of Jazz And The Age Of Blues And Ragtime
analytical essay
Both genres were shown to have rhythmic syncopation in their music and both showed the improvisation. Blues improvised in the sense of the vocalist and ragtime did not improvise and composed their music to b accenting certain notes. Earlier we saw the main difference between the ragtime and blues because blues is known to completely miss a strong or weak note and ragtime is known to accent midway between notes. This main difference made ragtime have the uplifting swing feel versus the sorrow blues
In this essay, the author
- Argues that jazz, being art itself, cannot be defined culturally or stylistically by one or two characteristics. blues and ragtime both show characteristics that contrast each other as well as conjoin to form the art of jazz.
- Explains that blues are sorrow songs created by slave workers from the south (new orleans) to ease their suffering and release their anger, frustration, pain, sorrow, and hatred through the art of music.
- Explains that william christopher hardy, the "father of the blues," noticed all the characteristics that contributed to blues and formed his own band.
- Argues that jazz, being art itself, cannot be defined culturally or stylistically by one or two characteristics. blues and ragtime both show characteristics that contrast each other as well as conjoin to form the art of jazz.
- Explains that blues are sorrow songs created by slave workers from the south (new orleans) to ease their suffering and release their anger, frustration, pain, sorrow, and hatred through the art of music.
- Explains that william christopher hardy, the "father of the blues," noticed all the characteristics that contributed to blues and formed his own band.
- Explains that blues songs were created with a guitar and vocals that usually included words with double meanings. blues musicians syncopated by missing strong and weak pulses or accents in their songs.
- Compares ragtime to blues, but it was composed and written down unlike it. the rhythmic syncopation that ragtime had was essential to creating the uplifting swing feel for jazz.
- Explains that the piano allowed musicians to compose and accent their notes midway to create a faster and happier sound. the pianola was more accessible and caused the high intensity of musical activity in jazz.
- Explains that scott joplin's ragtime was popular because it moved out of saloons and into middle-class drawing rooms.
- Analyzes the similarities between scott joplin and william christopher hardy, who populated two completely different genres and contributed different characteristics to jazz.
- Explains that both genres contributed to the creation of jazz and influenced black nationalism in america. blues was created to express the hardships and emotions of the oppressed working slaves, while blues used the call-and-response method.
- Explains that blues encouraged slaves to express themselves, while ragtime was created to uplift the slave's emotional state as well as culture. both genres had rhythmic syncopation and improvisation.
- Explains that jazz relies solely on improvisation and is not composed at all, so the genre of jazz received the characteristic of the "swing feel" from ragtime and blues, in different ways.
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investigation into jazz
explanatory essay
Blues lyrics are simple rhyming couplets. The first line is repeated followed by a second to complete the three lines of poetry. The story is always about a subject upon which the performer has strong feelings.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that they were given a seminar by the hnd students on ‘the development of jazz music and dance’. their aim is to summarise the information given to them.
- Explains that the earliest form of jazz, began in african music. while most west african culture was erased when people were transported into slavery, core possessions and spirit based beliefs remained.
- Explains that blues lyrics are simple rhyming couplets. the first line is repeated followed by a second to complete the three lines of poetry.
- Explains that they were given a seminar by the hnd students on ‘the development of jazz music and dance’. their aim is to summarise the information given to them.
- Explains that the earliest form of jazz, began in african music. while most west african culture was erased when people were transported into slavery, core possessions and spirit based beliefs remained.
- Explains that blues lyrics are simple rhyming couplets. the first line is repeated followed by a second to complete the three lines of poetry.
- Opines that poor workin' man's wife is stravin' — a woman who livs is queen-like.
- Explains that ragtime was piano based music with a bouncy and jerky strict two or four time beat. scott joplin is said to be the ‘king of ragtime’ music.
- Explains that minstrel shows emerged around the 1830's, where white men dressed up as black performers. they were popular with jim crow, mr. tambo, and zip coon.
- Explains that the original dixieland jazz band billed themselves as ‘the creators of jazz’. they were essentially white musicians who copied african-american music and called it their own.
- Explains that after world war one ended, a social revolution was under way. the 20's was the era of the ‘lost generation’ and ‘flapper’ with her rolled stockings, short skirts and straight in and down look.
- Explains that the abolition of slavery meant that many black musicians earned their living by playing european tunes. the merging of black and white music traditions began the birth of jazz.
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The Importance Of Music In Sonny's Blues
analytical essay
Perhaps the blues was representation of optimism and faith for the entire city of Harlem and all of African-American descent. Music is portrayed fluently and abundantly throughout the entire story of “Sonny’s Blues”. Despite the fact that Sonny frequently plays the piano, there is always a juke box playing, the “humming an old church song”, a “jangling beat of a tambourine”, a tune being whistled, or a revival meeting with the singing of religious words (Baldwin 293-307). The repetition of music in the short story is a realistic portrayal of how regular the blues, musically and emotionally, was present in an African-American’s life during the era of racial discrimination. Flibbert explains that the rooted, burdensome emotion felt by African Americans is difficult to put to words, other than describing it as the blues. He best defines the blues as “a mental and emotional state arising from recognition of limitation imposed-in the case of African-Americans-by racial barriers to the community” (Flibbert). Though a definite definition exists, the blues cannot simply be construed. To cope with this unexplainable feeling of blue, the African-American folk genre of jazz music was created. Finally, the blues was something African-Americans owned and that the white man could not strip them of. Though music appears to show up at the most troublesome times in “Sonny’s Blues”, it brings along “a glimmer of life within the
In this essay, the author
- Explains that james baldwin, an african-american writer, was born to a minister in 1924 and survived his childhood in new york city.
- Analyzes how jazz music is of great importance to the black heritage. sonny's blues, as an emotional term, relates to his battle with a drug addiction.
- Analyzes how sonny's abstinence from drugs and alcohol led him to learn to play the piano, which kept his blood circulating until his addiction.
- Explains that james baldwin, an african-american writer, was born to a minister in 1924 and survived his childhood in new york city.
- Analyzes how jazz music is of great importance to the black heritage. sonny's blues, as an emotional term, relates to his battle with a drug addiction.
- Analyzes how sonny's abstinence from drugs and alcohol led him to learn to play the piano, which kept his blood circulating until his addiction.
- Analyzes how sonny correlates with charlie parker, while baldwin associates the narrator with louis armstrong.
- Analyzes how jazz music represented optimism and faith for the entire city of harlem and all of african-american descent.
- Analyzes how silence in "sonny's blues" supports the symbolization of jazz music as essential to optimism in an african-american’s life.
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The Blues Revived
explanatory essay
When the blues declined the introduction of the electric guitar re-popularized the blues. The electric guitar amplified the music and gave artists the ability to change change their music, as well as give their it character. In the 1950's. Blues Revived due to the electric guitar. The electric blues popularized attracting new audiences with its distinct sound. Modern blues emerged due to African American musicians incorpirating rock and roll sounds into thier music. white preformers dabeled in the the blues at this time and brought it foward to white and foreign audiences. An artist who popularizedt= this modern blues rock was B.B. King
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the blues emerged during the end of the 19th century in new orleans and influenced many other genres, including country music, jazz, rock and roll, and classical music.
- Explains that many blues artists used the call and response style in their songs. both calls and reponse can be done verbally or instrumentally.
- Explains how the introduction of the electric guitar re-popularized the blues, attracting new audiences with its distinct sound.
- Explains that the blues emerged during the end of the 19th century in new orleans and influenced many other genres, including country music, jazz, rock and roll, and classical music.
- Explains that many blues artists used the call and response style in their songs. both calls and reponse can be done verbally or instrumentally.
- Explains how the introduction of the electric guitar re-popularized the blues, attracting new audiences with its distinct sound.
- Describes riley b. king as one of the most influential blues musicians. he was born on september 16, 1925 in beclair, mississippi, u.s.
- Explains that b.b king was introduced to the blues through his aunt's tape recordings. after his mother passed away, he began playing it professionally.
- Explains that b.b king was first taught how to play the guitar by his church's minister, archie fair. later on in his life, he stayed with his cousin bukka white, who was a famous blues singer.
- Explains that b.b. king was recognized for his simplictic playing and his use of call and reponse. he played using simple licks but utilized the notes in a way that made it seem like
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The Decade Of The 1950's
explanatory essay
Ask any American citizen what they know about the fifties and some part of their answer will include the term “Rock and Roll” or “Elvis”. Although the 50’s were mostly known for rock and roll, country and gospel music actually found their roots first. Country music grew out of the Appalachian Mountains. Appalachian music in the early 1950’s had influences from old English, Irish, and Scottish folk music. Rural roots like these were also a strong contributing factor towards gospel music. Gospel music increased in popularity during the 50’s but began in early African-American slave history. According to Ganzel (2007), “...one of the hallmarks of gospel music--and in turn, soul, R&B and rock-n-roll--is the call-and-response form that has direct roots to the African-American slave history and tradition” (p.15-16). Folk music also found its beginning in agrarian communities. One musician who represented this genre was Bob Dylan; he found his inspiration from life and politics (Ganzel 2007). These very rustic styles of music powerfully expressed the culture of rural America in the 1950’s. In the heart of this rural America, surrounded by cotton country, was Tupelo Mississippi. This was the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Elvis changed the face of music forever by developing and representing a new genre: Rock and Roll. Elvis is often referred to as The King of Rock and
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the decade of the 1950's was the greatest decade in all of american history.
- Explains that the 1950's brought with it the broadest and richest popular culture the country had ever seen.
- Explains that television was the greatest technology of the 50's, while other inventions from the decade included the first diet soft drink, oral contraceptives, bar codes, super glue and the laser.
- Explains that the decade of the 1950's was the greatest decade in all of american history.
- Explains that the 1950's brought with it the broadest and richest popular culture the country had ever seen.
- Explains that television was the greatest technology of the 50's, while other inventions from the decade included the first diet soft drink, oral contraceptives, bar codes, super glue and the laser.
- Explains that country and gospel music grew out of the appalachian mountains and began in early african-american slave history.
- Explains that elvis' contributions to the greatness of music in the 50's are undeniable, but he was not the only artist changing the world.
- Explains that the economy of the 1950's was the strongest it had ever been.
- Explains how the fast food movement began in the 1950's, with brothers dick and maurice selling burgers at mcdonald’s and ray kroc buying out the chain.
- Explains that the 1950's was the greatest decade in american history. the rich culture of dance is seen as the vivid colors throughout the entire masterpiece.
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Jazz: Still Got the Blues?
explanatory essay
Blues had its most brilliant years in America by the end of WWI. The American troops brought the Blues home with them, which they learned from the Southern Whites who had been exposed to the blues. After WWII, Blues had a different experience by the well-known Blues musicians as B.B. King and Buddy Guy by “amplifying guitar” and “emphasized drums”; thus created intensified sounds in Blues, the collection of which later called to be the “Electric Blues”.(Herman) This kind of Blues had a great deal of resemblance to Jazz music due to the increased drum beats.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the interaction between blues and jazz can be discerned when the origins of both music are scrutinized. both use similar sound patterns for instance.
- Explains that blues music evolved from the songs sung by west african griots, the southern black american songs of sadness and despair, and more hopeful christian spirituals.
- Explains that jazz music emerged as a blend of african-american rituals; the features carried from west african black folk music developed in the americas, joined with european music of the late 18th and 19th centuries.
- Explains that the interaction between blues and jazz can be discerned when the origins of both music are scrutinized. both use similar sound patterns for instance.
- Explains that blues music evolved from the songs sung by west african griots, the southern black american songs of sadness and despair, and more hopeful christian spirituals.
- Explains that jazz music emerged as a blend of african-american rituals; the features carried from west african black folk music developed in the americas, joined with european music of the late 18th and 19th centuries.
- Explains that blues had its most brilliant years in america by the end of wwi.
- Explains that unlike blues, jazz music experienced hard times during the 1970's. while it rose owing to the contributions of elvis pressley and bill halley who transformed rhythm & blues into rock’n roll, it remained far away from this frenzy.
- Explains that blues has developed into a major force in contemporary music through the rock-edge style of robert cray, as well as roots-oriented jazz by musicians associated with wynton marsalis, the zydeco sound, and some rap groups.
- Explains that blues music is more national than jazz, which is an international phenomenon. jazz styles evolved with a necessity characteristic of any true art form.
- Explains that jazz emerged after blues was already popular in america and had a "vital influence" on subsequent jazz.
- Explains that the similarity between blues and jazz began to occur in the 1930s, when t-bone walker and b.b. king combined jazz techniques with blues tonality and repertoire.
- Explains that blues is distinguished by jazz with its slow tempo, melancholy lyrics, and use of a guitar or piano. jazz music includes solo and ensemble improvisations on basic tunes and chord patterns.
- Explains that blues and jazz have several points in common. it is interesting to discover that jazz at its height, rendered it possible to be recorded.
- Describes the rolling stone encyclopedia of rock and roll. tanner, paul, and maurice gerow.
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