I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame quite a few years ago when I was a lot younger and didn't really know all that much about music. I remember going into the basement exhibition that had the "roots" of Rock and Roll and I just recall being completely overwhelmed with all of the different eras, genres, and artists; but completely intrigued and excited! So, I was really excited to visit it a second time this past May because I know a bit more about music now and I think I appreciate it all tons more! The first thing I did was race down to the basement and literally spend the rest of my time down there....It was perfect because lately I've been really into all of that sort of music: '20s and '30s old-timey-southern-blusey music. Not to sound corny,(I've come to the terms with the fact that I just really am!), but as I looked at the different exhibits with original sheet music, records, ads, posters, letters, costumes, and all I actually started tearing up. I know. But as I was going through it I just got even more inspired and excited about this genre of music I've been listening to lately! I wrote down a bunch of names and spent over an hour in their music store buying all sorts of CDs I couldn't imagine ever finding at the bookstores/CD stores around here. There's something so wonderful about the raw sound of it all...really nostalgic and perfect for those lazy summer days. Oh gosh, and between the jugs, banjos, washboards, harmonicas and all it really couldn't get any better!
Photo found via Google Images.
I first learned about this lady when I went to the museum, and goodness am I glad I did! Memphis Minnie is one of my very favorites now and I can't get enough of her bluesey southern songs....there's even a song where she imitates a rooster and it gets me every time!
Photo found via Google Images.
Bessie Smith is one of the first ladies I discovered that I think really got me into this genre! I was introduced to her by Kat's man, and I think I just fell in love with how old-timey it all sounded. I especially love the recordings because they sound sort of fuzzy and wonderfully old!
Photo from here
This here is a certain Mr. Robert Johnson, who I was introduced to by my near and dear pal, Francesca (who also shares a love for this music)! He really is wonderful, and I'm sort of embarrassed I didn't know about him sooner!
Photo found via Google Images.
This is Ma Rainey , who is known to have had an influence on Bessie Smith and according to Wikipedia, she claimed to have coined the term 'blues!'
Photo by me!
This is the newest edition to my record collection: Blind Blake ! I discovered him searchin' through the zillions of records at my favorite record store. I knew I was looking for this type of music, but I wasn't sure who to look for, so I was really excited when I saw this record sitting on top of a pile of a few other records! Oh gosh, and the record sounds perfect....it's all scratchy in the best possible way!
Photos found via Google Images
And finally, the jug bands!! These always make me giggle, especially when I hear them playin' their jugs really loud...I tried it once with this green iced-tea jug, but it just wasn't the same. Oh dear. The group on the left is one of the more prominent groups known as the Memphis Jug Band, and the photo on the right is the front man of Cannon's Jug Stompers!
Oh gosh, and there's so much more I have to discover and learn about, but I think these are a pretty swell start.
xx
11 comments:
awwww all of these are soooo good and so perfect for summer! theyre all on my iPod (even though my ipod is dead, since the big soup incident of 08)...and they are all perfect for summer and barbecues in the backyard involving fresh cut watermelon and sweaty dance parties beneath strings of chinese lanterns!
I love all that old blues music! Memphis Minnie was especially great, I think. She could play the guitar so well and always made an effort to look glamorous. There's something extremely haunting about the music of Robert Johnson too.
You are so cute! I just love your genuine love of this early music; so many people I know think it's rather silly, but I love it! Now I have loads of new-to-me music to peruse! I've got a few recordings from a handful of these artists (mostly Bessie Smith), but now I can really start doing some snooping! Thank you so much for this post! :)
Girl, this is right up my alley!!!! When I have a chance to go on a vacation I go to Memphis...hehe!!! I think I said that before, but oh well...lol! I love this music so much!! In fact I'm moving to Nashville in the next couple of years. Just 2 hrs from Memphis! Oh yes my love for Memphis started when I had to go visit Graceland to see the love of my life....haha ;o)
I also love old-timey Blues! My momma has a record store and I've learned most of what I know by picking up random old records from the blues section. I also recently bought this book by R. Crumb, "Heroes of Blues, Jazz and Country", which comes with a CD: http://www.amazon.com/Crumbs-Heroes-Blues-Jazz-Country/dp/0810930862/sr=1-1/qid=1168147600/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6190198-9733645?ie=UTF8&s=books. The illustrations are from trading card sets he made in the early to mid 80s. You can also see all the "Heroes of Blues" cards on this site: http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/crumb.htm. When I get home I will look at my old-timey records and share some of my favorite ones! YAY! :)
This is a really wonderful post, thanks for sharing all of your new found knowledge! Just about all of the music I listen to is older, but not this old (40s-early 60s)! I'd love to start listening to even earlier music, so thanks again for the starting point!
If you love this music, check out
http://www.AllMemphisMusic.com
Great station!
Meaghan- Ah, thanks!! I'm so glad you like 'em!!! Aren't they all just perfect?!
Andrea- Ah, awesome! Oh and definitly! Memphis Minnie is the tops! :)
Casey- Haha, aww, thanks!! You're the nicest :) Oh goshh, and my friends think so too haha, but I think they think it's silly in a good sort of way ahah oh dear. But, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! I really appreciate hearing that!
Q's Daydream- Ah, awesome!!! Haha, I'm so glad you love all of this stuff too!! Ooh, and move: that's incredible! Blueess heaven! ;)
Sarah- Aw, wow, that's amazing!!! I would looovee for a family member to own a record store! Sounds like a dream!! Oh! And that book! Thank you so, so much for sending me the link! I just added it to my wishlist--it looks perfect! Oh! And I can't wait to hear about some of your favorite records!
Reilly- Aw, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!! Ooh, and the even earlier stuff is especially nice because you can even hear how much older it is! Just the recordings and all... :)
All Memphis Music- Haha, awesome, thanks!!
xx
Jessica -
I just dug through my records this morning. Two I think you would LOVE:
New Orleans' Sweet Emma and her Preservation Hall Jazz Band
recorded in '64 when some of the musicians were in their 70s!
A little later, but still something you also LOVE:
Your Father's Moustache, "Where the time of your life is right under your nose", Joel Schiavone and his Mustache Stompers
(Your Father's Mustache was a chain bar/restaurant with an old-timey theme. This record was recorded in '65 in NY. They play american faves, lots of banjos, sweet harmonies, crowd sing-a-longs and, you guessed it, mustaches!!! :)
If you email me your address, I will burn you a copy of the R. Crumb CD! I'm at sarah.lou.hunt@gmail.com
Later!
I love Bessie Smith's "Backwater Blues." It's one of my favorite blues songs, definitely on the top five.
i adore your knowledge and appreciation for such wonderful old music. thank you for this post, i really enjoyed watching all the videos.
I don't know if your just into blues (i may just be assuming but you seem to have a well rounded appreciation for music as a whole...), but you should check out "Local Customs: Downriver Revival"
It's the coolest collection of songs which chronicle the story of a Michigan studio in the 60's and 70's. It's full of soul, funk, R&B and gospel....really inspiring songs like "Wade in the Water" and "There's A Light."
I have fallen in love with the entire album!
http://agitreader.com/perfect/downriver_revival.html
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