Evolution of Blues: Revival, Present State and Future Potentialities

This study investigates the revival of blues and discusses the present state and future potentialities of blues. It also explores the evolution of American blues and its fusion with other musical elements. The study highlights the contribution of British intervention in the revival of blues and the emergence of contemporary blues singers who are experimenting with the genre. The study also draws a comparison between blues and rap music.

Running Head: EVOLUTION OF BLUES
EVOLUTION OF BLUES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1
EVOLUTION OF BLUES
American folk music was revived and recreated during the period- 1940 to 1960. This
can be attributed to Josh White, Woody Guthrie, Big Bill Broonzy, John Jacob, Paul Robson
and so on (Palmer). During the 1950s the blues and rock music of America faced a bad time.
This study aims to investigate how blues is revived and discuss the present state and future
potentialities of blues.
In my opinion, blues genre got a new life due to the British intervention. Young British
bands which were inspired by Chuck Berry emerged gradually. Hence, holding the hands of
British bands like Beatles, the Animals, the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds the blues started
regaining its popularity (Palmer). During 1960s, the acoustic country blues were rediscovered
by British audience. Rolling stones, Animals took the venture of exporting the electric sounds
of the 1950s Chicago music and reintroduced it in America. During ‘blues-rock explosion’
the bands- Cream, Doors, renovated the music of the old blues. The path of success for
American blues was paved by British record collectors and radio programs.
Thus, British intervention was proved beneficial for blues. The evolution of American
blues started with the assimilation of Traditional Delta and Chicago styles with the funk
music, rock, soul and other musical elements. Blind Boys, Alabama, Irma Thomas made
lifetime contribution to blues music (Palmer). After its reanimation, blues never stopped
experimenting and renewing itself.
“Red House” by Jimi Hendrix1 and “I’ll Play the blues for You” by Albert King2 can be
considered as authentic songs of the blues. Albert king was one of the ground-breaking
guitarists of late 1960s as well as 1970s who casted upon deep influence on the eminent
guitarists of 1980s like Stevie Ray Vaughan hailed King. Jimi Hendrix introduced new
1 YouTube, "Jimi Hendrix - Red House", YouTube, 2019, online, Internet, 6 Mar. 2019. , Available:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUiGuQKrRE&feature=share.
2 YouTube, "Albert King Live - I'll Play The BLues For You", YouTube, 2019, online, Internet, 6 Mar. 2019. ,
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDRCIEEZ3w.

2
EVOLUTION OF BLUES
psychedelic and hard rock territory into blues and encouraged experimentation in this genre
of music. B.B. King attempted to follow a funkier and rock-edged sound but keeping the core
structure, soul of the blues intact (Palmer).
Blues genre possess the potentialities required to have a soulful and colourful future.
The emerging blues singers are popping up over multiple medium like YouTube channels,
talent hunt shows on television. They are attempting to do experiments with blues genre and
assimilating different themes, humour, music, culture and style with blues genre.
Some consider that renovation of blues gives birth to rap music. Rap music has some
similarities with blues-rock music. Both are rhythmic. Both create provision for “protest
music”. Both emphasize on usage of drumbeats, but they can be distinguished in terms of
style, tone, expression and use of language (Palmer). It can be stated that, rap music has
borrowed some of the features of blues and invented a new form of music. Both the rap and
blues music aim to focus on social issues like racial social injustice, aggression of the
deceived people, discrimination, corruption, but rap cannot be called “an extension of blues
music”
In my opinion, the contemporary singers-Eric Gales, Larkin Poe, Danielle Nicole,
Mike Zito. Joe Bonamassa, Joanne Shaw Taylor have enriched modern blues with several
features. This is the reason why the present state of blues music can be defined as a form of
fusion that merge multi-instrumental and rhythmic funk music with rock.
Finally it can be concluded that, the flavour of country, jazz, ragtime and
contemporary pop have been added to blues by Corey Harris, Carolina Chocolate Drops,
Blind Boy. All these have made blues more vibrant and soulful.

3
EVOLUTION OF BLUES
References
Palmer, Robert. Deep blues. Penguin Group USA, 1981.
Palmer, Robert. Deep Blues: Epilogue, pp. 255-277
YouTube. "Jimi Hendrix - Red House". YouTube, 2019. Online. Internet. 6 Mar. 2019. .
Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUiGuQKrRE&feature=share.
YouTube. "Albert King Live - I'll Play The BLues For You". YouTube, 2019. Online.
Internet. 6 Mar. 2019. . Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDRCIEEZ3w.