| Buy This Book | A Guide to the Blues: History, Who's Who, Research Sources |
Book overview
The only book about the blues that embraces a complete history, this ambitious work traces almost 1,000 years of cultural history and connects the blues to its roots in African history and musical forms and to the history of slavery. This comprehensive reference contains an up-to-date biographical dictionary which includes discographies of over 300 blues men and women. Nicknames by which the musicians are known are cross-referenced; photos of many blues greats, some from the author's personal collection; an extensive filmography, discography, and bibliography; visits to highly musical places where the blues flourished in America; and a study of the influence of voodoo on the blues and, in turn, the influence of the blues on rock and roll. Sonnier has been involved with the blues all his life, and brings to this work both professional expertise and an intimate knowledge of the music and its interpreters.
From Library Journal
Sonnier's attempt to produce a comprehensive guide to the blues succeeds on most levels. We follow the development of the blues from its roots in Africa through slavery to its influence on modern popular music. The Mississippi Delta, Louisiana, Texas, and Chicago are detailed for their own particular contributions to the blues form, while a discussion of the distinct scale systems, melodic phrases, and harmonic traditions that characterize the blues offers musicians some technical insights. A chapter on the Twenties and Thirties gives the classic women blues singers their due. The longest section of the book, a series of some 300 biographical sketches, is devoted to performers. Recommended for music libraries.
Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Combining the history of the blues and information about those who created that history into one volume is the aim of this latest blues entry.
The first six chapters outline the history of the blues. Of particular interest is the explanation of the similarities and differences in the musical scales used in European and African music and the blues. Other chapters focus on such issues as the influence of slavery on the blues, the geography of blues evolution, the classic blues belters, voodoo and New Orleans blues, and the blues from the 1950s on.
Almost 400 performers are profiled in the biographical dictionary, which comprises the second section. Entries range from a few sentences to a full page. They include, when possible, a brief discography, filmography, and bibliography. The essays cover the performer's important works, influences, collaborations, style, and importance. Performers represent a variety of time periods and styles. They include Big Maceo, Alberta Hunter, Albert Collins, Clifton Chenier, Johnny Winter, Etta James, and Bonnie Raitt. A section of black-and-white photos closes out the biographies. A select filmography, bibliography, and discography (arranged by record label) append the book. The book has a good index, although there are also see references in both sections.
With so many good blues books published recently, such as Herzhaft's Encyclopedia of the Blues [RBB Ja 1 93], which also includes some historical and geographic entries, or Santelli's Big Book of Blues [RBB Mr 15 94], Sonnier has some strong competition for the library dollar. His is a well-written book that will be an attractive choice, if a library needs additional material on the blues.
Product Details
- Hardcover: 344 pages
- Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group; 1ST edition (June 1994)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0313287244
- ISBN-13: 978-0313287244
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