Stretching from Memphis South to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and bordered by the Mississippi River to the West and the Yazoo River to the East, the Mississippi Delta has been commonly known as the birthplace of the blues following the civil war. Although blessed with fertile soil, the Mississippi Delta was a region of extreme poverty and the blues were a tribute to the area and time in history. The blues were primarily played on guitars and harmonicas and were only recorded by memory and relayed live.
Influenced by African roots, field hollers, ballads, church music and dance tunes called jump-ups, the music evolved into call-and-response songs where the guitar would answer to a sung line.
The Mississippi Delta has produced more blues singer/musicians than all the other southern states combined. Mississippi counts among it's celebrated blues artists such great names as Son House, Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Bukka White,Muddy Waters, Skip James, John Lee Hooker and B.B. King to name only a few.
The blues have strongly influenced almost all popular music including jazz, country, and rock and roll and still influences the shape of today's music worldwide.
Delta Blues Contents
- I Went Down to the Crossroads
- Robert Johnson--Crossroad
- A Brief History of the Blues
- Mississippi Delta Blues
- You Won't Need Your Dress Blues To Play The Blues
- Beauty of The Mississippi Delta
- Products Featuring Photography of Mississippi Delta
- You'll Be Playing The Blues
- Tupelo By John Lee Hooker
- Can You Play The Blues?
- It's The Blues, Man!
- Take A Trip to The Land Where It All Began
- Cream = Crossroads
- Playing The Blues
- Who's The Best Blues Singer?
- Buddy Guy Sweet Home Chicago
- Mississippi Links
- Don't Give Me The Blues . . .
- Blues Blog
I Went Down to the Crossroads
The legendary CROSSROADS is where highways U.S. 61 and U.S. 49 intersect in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It is here where many believe that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical genius. Other historians claim it was in Rosedale, Mississippi. Still others believe it was where Dockery Road crossed old highway 8 between Cleveland and Ruleville, Mississippi.Robert Johnson, the blues singer who died in 1938 after drinking poisoned whiskey,was considered by the God-fearing, church-going folk of rural Mississippi as Lucifer's right-hand man. Even a young Muddy Waters, growing up in the Delta in the 1930's, believed the stories after hearing Johnson wailing "Hellhound on My Trail" on a phonograph record. One day when Muddy Waters was a teenager, he spotted the legendary Robert Johnson playing and singing on a small town street corner but because people said that the devil had taught Johnson to play the blues, he was afraid to get too close. Nevertheless, Johnson was one of Muddy Waters' biggest influences.
Robert Johnson--Crossroad
A Brief History of the Blues
Somewhere around 1911 through 1914 the blues was first made popular by composer, W.C. Handy. However, the poetic and musical form of the blues materialized around 1910. Handy's "Instrumental Blues," "Memphis Blues," (originally known as "Boss Crump's Blues," and "St. Louis Blues" helped to increase its popularity.By the 1920's, the blues had become a national craze. The first vocal blues song recorded was "Crazy Blues," by Mamie Smith in 1920. The influence that blues had on jazz inspired blues singers like Essie Smith, and later Billie Holliday.
The Great Depression forced many businesses along Beale Street to close, never to be opened again. As more and more businesses closed, the blues migrated North to Chicago, where the blues became electrified.
In Chicago and Detroit during the late 1940's and early 1950's artists such as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, and Elmore James played what was typically Mississippi Delta blues backed by base, drums, piano, and harmonica. These artists began scoring national hits with blues songs.
During this same time, T-Bone Walker and B.B. King were pioneering a new style of guitar playing, combining jazz techniques with blues. It was B.B. King back in Memphis who in invented the concept of lead guitar now used by rock bands today. At the same time Son House, Leadbelly, and Bukka White were creating sounds of traditional unamplified blues.
It wasn't until the 1960's that the urban blues man was discovered by young white American and European musicians. Many blues based bands such as The Rolling Stones, Cream, Canned Heat, The Yardbirds, and Fleetwood Mac brought the blues to young white audiences.
Since the 1960's rock has undergone several blues revivals. Guitarists Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix spin-off styles were strongly influenced by the blues.
Continuing a great blues tradition today, are Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and Eric Clapton among others.
Mississippi Delta Blues
Mississippi Delta Blues
Lamar Thomas - "Mississippi Delta Blues" The Songwriter Series
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You Won't Need Your Dress Blues To Play The Blues
Blues Women's Dark T-Shirt
On a musical note, you'll find this musical rendition of "Blues" on blues t shirts, blues jerseys, blues hoodies, blues tank tops, blues sweatshirts, blues tote bags, and more.
Price: 22.99
Blues Organic Cotton Tee
Go organic in style with our "blues" t shirt designed with musical notes. Express your musical soul with Soulshine Expressions.
Price: 18.99
Blues Infant Bodysuit
Your baby will be batting his baby blues in our blues one-piece infant suit designed with him in mind.
Price: 11.99
Singing The Blues Tote Bag
You'll be Singing The Blues with this catfish rockin out to the sound of the blues with his electric guitar on t shirts, jerseys, hoodies, tank tops, sweatshirts, kids and infant wear and more.
Price: 15.98
Singing The Blues Ringer T
This catfish is singing the blues in style with this cool ringer t shirt. Guitar in hand, he's ready to perform and you will be too with our design on a variety of t shirts and apparel items for men, women, kids, infants and dogs.
Price: 17.98
Beauty of The Mississippi Delta
With its history both rich and tragic, the beauty of the Mississippi Delta is evident in these pictures. Click on any picture to see more of my work on Flickr or visit my full gallery of stock photography.
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for more visit my lens at
for more visit my lens at
for more visit my lens at
Products Featuring Photography of Mississippi Delta
Autumn Lake Framed Panel Print
"Autumn Lake" provides a peaceful retreat from the everyday hustle bustle. Pack a picnic lunch and settle in for an afternoon of serenity and beauty.
Price: 37.98
Creepy Full Moon Mousepad
This creepy moon shot will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Find this unusual mousepad only at Soulshine Expressions.
Price: 13.98
Delta Solemn Sunset Tile Coaster
This solemn Delta sunset brings deep thought and reflections of peace and serenity.
Price: 6.50
Delta Fiery Sunrise Small Poster
Perhaps this fiery sunrise photo of the Mississippi Delta is reminiscent of the day the devil came to claim Robert Johnson's soul. Find this poster and other great items at Soulshine Expressions where you can always express your soul.
Price: 16.98
Delta Blues Sunset Small Framed Print
You'll find it hard not to sing the blues with this bluesy sunset from the Mississippi Delta.
Price: 32.98
You'll Be Playing The Blues
You'll be playing the blues in no time at all with a new acoustic guitar.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Tupelo By John Lee Hooker
Tupelo by John Lee Hooker
Great Blues Man, Great Blues Music. "John Lee Hooker was an influential American post-war blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter born in Coahoma County near Clarksdale, Mississippi. From a musical family, he was a cousin of Earl Hooker. John was also influenced by his stepfather, a local blues guitarist, who learned in Shreveport, Louisiana to play a droning, one-chord blues that was strikingly different from the Delta blues of the time. John developed a half-spoken style that was his trademark. Though, similar to the early Delta blues, his music was rhythmically free. His best known songs include "Boogie Chillen" (1948) and "Boom Boom" (1962)"
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Can You Play The Blues?
Muddy Waters (DVD)
Hosted by Bob Margolin, by Muddy Waters. Instructional video: DVD for electric guitar. DVD only - no sheet music. Series: Hal Leonard Guitar Signature Licks DVD. Published by Hal Leonard.
Robert Johnson - Signature Licks
(A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Legendary Guitarist's Style and Technique) By Robert Johnson, edited by Dave Rubin. Instructional book (song excerpts only) and examples CD for guitar. Series: Hal Leonard Guitar Signature Licks. 63 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.
Stefan Grossman's Early Masters of American Blues Guitar: Mississippi John Hurt
Music by Mississippi John Hurt, transcribed by Stefan Grossman. Guitar tablature songbook and examples CD for acoustic guitar. Series: Stefan Grossman's Early Masters of American Blues Guitar. 96 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
The Best Of Buddy Guy
By Buddy Guy, written by Dave Rubin. Guitar tablature songbook, accompaniment CD and instructional book for guitar. 48 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.
It's The Blues, Man!
Take A Trip to The Land Where It All Began
The Mississippi Delta
Take a tour through the land that inspired the blues--the high bluffs contrasted by the flat land of the Mississippi Delta. Visit Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Morgan Freeman's bluesy club where all are welcome to come play the blues. The food is dogone good too!!!
Cream = Crossroads
Playing The Blues
All Blues Soloing for Jazz Guitar: Scales, Licks, Concepts & Choruses by Jim Ferguson
The most complete guide to jazz/blues soloing ever written! This comprehensive book details the sounds, elements, and approaches that make the blues such an integral part of the jazz vocabulary. Moving from blues progressions to fingerboard organization to phrasing, essential blues scales, riffs, lick development, and an array of advanced concepts and devices, including substitute scales & extended super arpeggios are covered. Throughout this process 38 solos, over 100 music examples, and hundre...0 points
Who's The Best Blues Singer?
Buddy Guy Sweet Home Chicago
Buddy Guy - Sweet Home Chicago
Sweet Home Chicago live in Houston, Texas
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Mississippi Links
- Delta Magazine
- Premier Mississippi Magazine serving the Mississippi Delta.
- Mississippi Magazine
- Premier Mississippi Magazine
- Delta Blues Museum
- Museum dedicated to the history of the Blues in Mississippi.
- Soulshine Expressions Gallery
- Stock photography site featuring Mississippi scenery such as Battlefield Park in Vicksburg, MS and the Mississippi Delta among other locales and subjects. Royalty free digital images available.
- Ground Zero Blues Club
- Clarksdale, Mississippi is ground zero for the blues. Here, among Clarksdale's rich history, you will find Morgan Freeman's famous Ground Zero Blues Club where all are welcome to come play the blues, and if you're lucky, you might just get a chance to meet Morgan Freeman.
- Soulshine Expressions
- At Soulshine Expressions, you'll find original photographic and graphic designs on a wide variety of products including t shirts and apparel, prints, gift items and more. Express your soul with something for everyone at Soulshine Expressions.
Don't Give Me The Blues . . .
But Let Me Feel Your Pain . . .
I hope you enjoyed reading this lens as much as I did making it. Your comments and feedback are appreciated.
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coastingalong
Enjoyed reading all about Mississippi Blues music. I want to extend an invitation to join the group--Mississippi-The Magnolia State-- where all this information on the blues can be passed on to other Mississippians. Posted June 17, 2008 |
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coastingalong
Great site about Mississippi Blues. I get to listen to the blues locally as well as when New Orleans has the jazz festival. Come and visit my Squidoo--Come visit Mississippi and see how the Gulf Coast is coming back since Katrina. Thanks for all the info. Posted June 16, 2008 |
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serramark71
The Black Americans have contributed greatly to what American music is today and the most noted genre contributed by these black artists is the blues. I love the blues and I love all the artists who play it especially Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Jimi Hendrix and some influenced artists including Elvis Presley, the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Neil Young & even Guns N Roses! I commemorate their great contribution in my own little way with my very own personalized African American checks ! Thanks for this site! I know blues will live forever! Posted June 12, 2008 |
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Evelyn_Saenz
What a great lens! 5 stars and Favored! Posted May 12, 2008 |
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Oosquid
Oh yes, what a superb and informative lens. As a youngster in England I never heard the blues or R B until groups like the Stones made it. This led me into Howling Wolf, Muddy and all. I could hear where rock had come from. 5 Stars and lensrolled. Posted May 08, 2008 |