The History of the Blues (The Music Library)

This popular Lucent Books series has been updated to make music of all genres even more accessible, popular and culturally relevant in the 21st century; the set focuses on the history, music, musicians, and instruments behind specific musical styles.; This volume in The Music Library offers a brand new volume on The Blues. The author describes this quintessentially American music, charting its evolution out of African American field hollers, slave songs, and spirituals in the late nineteenth century, its emergence from the South and spreading through the U.S. in the early twentieth century, and its influence on later forms of music, including R&B, and Rock&Roll. The author offers much discussion about how this form of music was born out of the African American experience in the U.S. but also talks about its universal appeal to people of all cultures.; This new edition of the popular Lucent Books series has been updated to make music of all genres even more accessible, popular and culturally relevant in the 21st century. The set focuses on the history, music, musicians, and instruments behind specific musical styles -- from blues to indie rock to rap and more. It also addresses music videos, the advent of digital music stores and new portable digital delivery systems. Each title provides a historical overview of the development of a specific music genre; explores the roots and influences of the genre and the key components that are definitive of the style; discusses the pioneers of the music; and considers the changes the genre has undergone from its inception to its present status on the world scene. Informative sidebars, a glossary of music terms, a selective discography, an annotated bibliography, and a subject index provide readers with additional tools for discussion and research. Read more