The Empress Of The Blues, Bessie Smith, got her start busking with her brother in Chattanooga as a young girl. Still a child when she auditioned for the Stokes troupe, she won the gig as a dancer, not a singer, because that chair was already filled by none other than Ma Rainey, The Mother Of The Blues! Both singers became major stars, enjoying long and prolific performing and recording careers. Bessie Smith’s “Thinking Blues” is a great intro to this magnificent and hugely influential American music legend. I found a very good sonic version at YouTube.com
Probably the most imitated music form in the 20th century was the American Blues. From its roots in the “deep south” of the United States, the Blues has since been kept alive by countless musicians and music lovers worldwide. Public Domain 4U has put together this page of music and facts for your enjoyment and edification. Here are some of the great Blues pioneers and their music. Play the playlist and read on for a little background on each classic song and artist. Enjoy!
[hmp_player playlist=’Beginnings_Of_The_Blues’]
Charley Patton – “High Water Everywhere Parts 1 & 2”
The “Father Of The Delta Blues,” Charley Patton lived from around 1887 to April 28, 1934. His performances and recorded works became blueprints for the greats who followed in his footsteps, from Robert Johnson to Howlin’ Wolf to well, everybody. High Water Everywhere, Parts 1 & 2, are songs penned by Mr. Patton about the Great Mississippi Flood he witnessed and survived in 1927. While the two distinct parts work as individual pieces, together they tell a complete, epic story.
Here’s a great recording by the Mother Of The Blues, Ma Rainey, expertly accompanied by Thomas A. Dorsey on upright piano. The lyrics to this song are pure blues poetry, and Rainey delivers them with unrivaled sincerity, ease and power. Here is a clean digital transfer from 78RPM Shellac for all to enjoy.
This scratchy copy of “Mississippi Country Farm Blues” is a Son House classic. A master at creating unusual chord structures, he uses his vocal and guitar to create moving double harmonies. Jack White of White Stripes fame dedicated the White Stripe’s first album to Son House.
In his long career, Big Bill Broonzy wrote and copyrighted over 300 songs. Many were original, some were adaptations of folk songs in the oral tradition. You can hear in this early Broonzy recording of “How You Want It Done,” the seeds of rock and roll guitar playing which would later sprout in the hands of Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and many others in the 1950’s. We’re fortunate to have a nice clean digital copy to enjoy today.
W.C. Handy is widely considered the “Father of the Blues.” He wrote the iconic “Memphis Blues” sheet music in 1912, and it became the backbone for the 12 bar blues. Although he was basically a songwriter, you can hear Handy’s own voice on his original song “Loveless Love.” This 78 RPM recording is part of the Open Source Audio collection at archive.org.
With so many great mp3s in our collection, we understand you might have a problem figuring out where to start. That’s why we created “Classics,” a list of our favorite public domain mp3. Scroll down for the player to enjoy this playlist!
Big Bill Broonzy – “How You Want It Done”
In his long career, Big Bill Broonzy wrote and copyrighted over 300 songs. Many were original, some were adaptations of folk songs in the oral tradition. You can hear in this early Broonzy recording of “How You Want It Done,” the seeds of rock and roll guitar playing which would later sprout in the hands of Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and many others in the 1950’s. We’re fortunate to have a nice clean digital copy to enjoy today.
Ma Rainey – “Slave To The Blues”
When you read the words “slave to the blues,” it doesn’t compare to how it sounds and feels when Ma Rainey sings this song. You can imagine her holding her heart in chains during this dreary memory. It’s another way to say endless heart ache.
New, Old Music by Blind Blake, “Diddie Wa Diddie“
This early classic of ragtime blues guitar continues to inspire musicians and entertain music lovers to today.
We enhanced the sound @ East Bay Recording with Michael Rosen on the board and Eric Din playing guitar along with Blind Blake.
This song is still significant some 75 plus years later.
Originally written and recorded by Luke Jordan in 1927, Justice re-made his own version of the song blending a little folk with some blues and speeding up the tempo.
We enhanced the sound @ East Bay Recording with Michael Rosen on the board and Eric Din played keyboard and guitar along with Dick Justice.
The World Series always makes me think of Ed Meeker and his classic song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” on Edison recordings. What a chorus! Next year is this songs 100th anniversary. People everywhere still sing it. Now that’s popular music! This version is ripped from a 78rpm recording, but the quality and gusto of Ed’s voice resonates magnificently. Remember, it’s “1, 2, 3, strikes you’re out at the old ball game!”
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The Empress Of The Blues, Bessie Smith, got her start busking with her brother in Chattanooga as a young girl. Still a child when she auditioned for the Stokes troupe, she won the gig as a dancer, not a singer, because that chair was already filled by none other than Ma Rainey, The Mother Of The Blues! Both singers became major stars, enjoying long and prolific performing and recording careers. Bessie Smith’s “Thinking Blues” is a great intro to this magnificent and hugely influential American music legend. I found a very good sonic version at YouTube.com
In his long career, Big Bill Broonzy wrote and copyrighted over 300 songs. Many were original, some were adaptations of folk songs in the oral tradition. You can hear in this early Broonzy recording of “How You Want It Done,” the seeds of rock and roll guitar playing which would later sprout in the hands of Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and many others in the 1950’s. We’re fortunate to have a nice clean digital copy to enjoy today.
When you read the words “slave to the blues,” it doesn’t compare to how it sounds and feels when Ma Rainey sings this song. You can imagine her holding her heart in chains during this dreary memory. It’s another way to say endless heart ache.
This early classic of ragtime blues guitar continues to inspire musicians and entertain music lovers to today.
This song is still significant some 75 plus years later.
The World Series always makes me think of Ed Meeker and his classic song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” on Edison recordings. What a chorus! Next year is this songs 100th anniversary. People everywhere still sing it. Now that’s popular music! This version is ripped from a 78rpm recording, but the quality and gusto of Ed’s voice resonates magnificently. Remember, it’s “1, 2, 3, strikes you’re out at the old ball game!”