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Delta Blues

The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music

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Delta Blues

By: Ted Gioia
Narrated by: Chris Abernathy
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About this listen

The definitive account of how the rough sounds of the Mississippi Delta changed the course of American popular music.

The blues grew out of the plantations and prisons, the swampy marshes and fertile cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta. With original research and keen insights, Ted Gioia - the author of a landmark study of West Coast jazz and the critically acclaimed The History of Jazz - brings to life the stirring music of the Delta, evoking the legendary figures who shaped its sound and ethos: Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, B. B. King, and others.

Tracing the history of the Delta blues from the field hollers and plantation music of the 19th century to the exploits of modern-day musicians in the Delta tradition, Delta Blues tells the full story of this timeless and unforgettable music. No cultural force boasts such humble origins or such world-conquering reverberations. In this evocative rags-to-riches tale, Gioia shows how the sounds of the Delta altered the course of popular music in America and in the world beyond.

©2008 Ted Gioia (P)2021 Tantor
Entertainment & Celebrities History & Criticism Celebrity Musician

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What listeners say about Delta Blues

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Great!

A review requires 15 words and now I still have 5 to go. 2 now. Great book

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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The Back Story of the Blues.

The historical facts made the development of all the research intriguing. How so many different characters were able to meld the very hard work and life, culminating in a merging music attractive to many generations eons after the blues birth.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An Exceptional Blues History

An exceptionally well-written and engaging history of the blues, with a fantastic narrator.
Exactly what I had been searching for.
A pleasure for all blues fans.

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2 people found this helpful

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If you love blues music, it's a well worth read.

It covers all from the beginning of the delta blues, going through to modern day. Very interesting focus on John Lee hooker muddy waters, howlin wolf, son House

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2 people found this helpful

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Lots of blues history.

I have read several books about blues, so I know a lot about the blues history, nevertheless this was a pleasant run through focussing on different artists through the years. I was able to listen to it over several weeks when I had the time to listen. I'll probably listen to it again in a few years.

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an exhaustive history

a long well researched history of the blues. a bit bland interminable in parts, little humour or spice. dry

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