Ramblin On My Mind

This compilation of essays takes the study of the blues to a welcome new level. Distinguished scholars and well-established writers from such diverse backgrounds as musicology, anthropology, musicianship, and folklore join together to examine blues as literature, music, personal expression, and cultural product. Ramblin' on My Mind contains pieces on Ella Fitzgerald, Son House, and Robert Johnson; on the styles of vaudeville, solo guitar, and zydeco; on a comparison of blues and African music; on blues nicknames; and on lyric themes of disillusionment. Contributors are Lynn Abbott, James Bennighof, Katharine Cartwright, Andrew M. Cohen, David Evans, Bob Groom, Elliott Hurwitt, Gerhard Kubik, John Minton, Luigi Monge, and Doug Seroff.

The tenth-century Old English lament and twentieth-century blues song each speak the language of a distinct poetic tradition, yet the voices are remarkably similar in their emotive expression of loneliness. This innovative study juxtaposes the texts of each corpus to explore the features that characterize their vocal poetics

The tragic story of Robert Johnson, great Blues musician of the American 30's, the mysterious solution to his tragic end, the background and his complete discography. An emotional thriller with a historical research of the short life of Robert Johnson, considered by most as the grandfather of rock, but adored by blues fans. A compelling narration that perhaps offers a solution to a mysterious intrigue, full of esotery and religious fanaticism, that lead to the violent and early death of the one that was labelled the Devil's Son. What of Robert Johnson's art can be defined as evil? Did he really sign a pact with Satan in order to obtain fame and honour in the music world? And what was really the cause of his death? Let's discover it together in this engaging and fluid book that will touch your hearts. PUBLISHER: TEKTIME

The shellac of the 20's, 30's and 40's caught the fleeting moment, the spirit of the times; the raunchy ragtime, barrelhouse boogie and the country blues. Some of those records will never be replaced. Some, never will be heard again. Many of those songs are here in printed form for the first time, as an only monument to a pristine era never to happen again. This is a valued collection of the great country blues — as sung and played by the greatest of the country bluesmen — as collected and annotated by Stefan Grossman, Hal Grossman and Stephen Calt: Aberdeen Mississippi Blues/Booker White'Bout A Spoonful/Mance LipscombAlabama Blues/Robert WilkinsAin't You Sorry?/Mance LipscombAll Night Long/Skip JamesAt Home Blues/Sam "Lightnin' " HopkinsAvalon Blues/Mississippi John HurtAwful Fix Blues/Buddy Boy HawkinsBanty Rooster Blues/Charlie PattonBeer Drinkin' Women/R.K. TurnerBig Chief Blues/Furry LewisBig Leg Blues/Mississippi John HurtBird Nest Bound/Charlie PattonBob McKinney/Henry ThomasBud Russell Blues/Sam "Lightnin'" HopkinsBull Frog Blues/William HarrisCandy Man Blues/Mississippi John HurtCasey Jones/Furry LewisCatfish Blues/Skip JamesCharlie James/Mance LipscombCoffee Blues/Mississippi John HurtCorinne, Corinna/Mississippi John HurtCounty Farm Blues/Son HouseCrossroad Blues/Robert JohnsonCrow Jane/Skip JamesCypress Grove Blues/Skip JamesDepot Blues/Son HouseDevil Got My Woman/Skip JamesDevil in the Lion's Den/Sam CollinsDough Roller Blues/Joe CallicottDown the Dirt Road/Charlie PattonDrunken Spree/Skip JamesDry Well Blues/Charlie PattonFallin' Down Blues/Robert WilkinsFuture Blues/Willie BrownGet Away Blues/Robert WilkinsHambone Blues/Ed BellHammer Blues/Charlie PattonHell Hound On My Trail/Robert JohnsonHot Jelly Roll Blues/George CarterHow Long Buck/Skip JamesI'm Satis fied/Mississippi John HurtJinx Blues/Son HouseKnocking Down Windows/Mance LipscombLong Train Blues/Robert WilkinsMarried Woman Blues/Joe Callicott

Robert Johnson è considerato uno dei più grandi artisti blues di tutti i tempi. Tra i suoi brani più famosi ci sono “I Believe I Dust My Broom” e “Sweet Home Chicago”, quest’ultimo uno dei capisaldi della musica blues. Secondo la leggenda, Johnson acquisì il suo straordinario talento musicale siglando un patto con il diavolo. Morì all’età di 27 anni per sospetto avvelenamento, sebbene la verità sulla sua morte resti tutt’oggi un mistero irrisolto... “La Leggenda di Robert Johnson” racchiude l’intera opera del famoso bluesman nelle versioni originali scritte da Johnson.

Talkin' to Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942 is a compendium of lyrics by the great blues recording artists of the classic blues era. It includes over 2000 songs, transcribed directly from the original recordings, making it by far the most comprehensive and accurate collection of blues lyrics available.

The first full-length authoritative Encyclopedia on the Blues as a musical form. A to Z in format, this work covers not only the performers, but also musical styles, regions, record labels and cultural aspects of the blues.

This comprehensive two-volume set brings together all aspects of the blues from performers and musical styles to record labels and cultural issues, including regional evolution and history. Organized in an accessible A-to-Z format, the Encyclopedia of the Blues is an essential reference resource for information on this unique American music genre. For a full list of entries, contributors, and more, visit the Encyclopedia of the Blues website.