- ISBN13: 9780393337501
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
“The essential history of this distinctly American genre.”—Atlanta Journal-Constitution In this “expertly researched, elegantly written, dispassionate yet thoughtful history” (Gary Giddins), award-winning author Ted Gioia gives us “the rare combination of a tome that is both deeply informative and enjoyable to read” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). From the field hollers of nineteenth-century plantations to Muddy Waters and B.B. K… More >>
Delta Blues: The Life and Times of the Mississippi Masters Who Revolutionized American Music
Tags: American, american genre, american music, atlanta journal constitution, Blues, delta, delta blues, field hollers, gary giddins, Life, masters, Mississippi, muddy waters, music, nineteenth century, plantations, publishers weekly, publishers weekly starred review, rare combination, remainder mark, Revolutionized, ted gioia, thoughtful history, Times
#1 by fishrock on April 21, 2010 - 10:26 am
I got this book for Christmas and have been looking forward to reading it so much. By the time I got to the second page however, I knew I could only finish it by slogging through it with my eye on the prize. It’s a tough read. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that is “presented” with more pretention book in my life. I am passionate about the blues but I am also passionate about good writing. And this book is excrutiating to read. Here is another book written by a scholar who CANNOT write a SIMPLE sentence without wanting to show you how smart he is. Ted – we know you’ve been to Oxford, ok, but do you have to keep reminding us in every sentence?? For God’s sake, you’re writing about the blues, not Mozart. And what really bothers me more are the glowing reviews by folks who should know better – Jonathan Yardley, Rolling Stone, Shamekia Copeland (!!!!!), and the others who have written here – are you kidding me? – but there is a term for the that stuff on back covers, isn’t there.
Understand, I have no issue with the scholarship here merely the writing. Why-o-why didn’t somebody at Norton suggest an editor for him? It could have been a truly great addition to the field. I really blame them more then anybody and their name is on this pathetic effort. (Maybe I was spoiled by Cecil Brown’s “Stagolee Shot Billy” but then Brown IS a writer, isn’t he?.) Norton – ever heard of Cecil? Do your homework next time!!!!
So if you chose to read this, and there are very good reasons to do so, don’t expect to enjoy the trip.
Rating: 3 / 5
#2 by Midwest Book Review on April 21, 2010 - 11:39 am
Ted thought he understood the blues when he was twenty years old – but he only understood its most basic structure. The rest of his understanding took decades to achieve – and DELTA BLUES met his goal of writing a comprehensive history of the ‘deep blues’ from its birth to its changes. Any interested in the history of the blues will find this a wide-ranging historical survey perfect for any American music history collection – even those holding numerous other surveys of the blues genre.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by J. North on April 21, 2010 - 12:21 pm
First I checked this book out of the public library. I liked it so much I bought my own copy. Now I am taking my time reading each chapter and I really enjoy Gioia’s ability to bring forth the richness of the Delta blues history. His treatment of the subject is a scholarly one, yet it’s a lively read. As I discovered blues artists, via this book, with whom I was not familiar, I sought out their recordings and some films on Youtube (Mississippi John Hurt at the Newport Folk Festival 1964, for example). Highly recommended.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by RSB Harley on April 21, 2010 - 1:27 pm
Gioia’s Delta Blues is a great read, hated to see it end. Great stories and background of the Delta and the musicians that changed America’s music. It brings to light recording sessions, songs, books and people that renew interest in this genre. Be careful… it could cost you (CDs, LPs, other books,etc.)
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Stuart Jefferson on April 21, 2010 - 1:36 pm
Hardcover,400 pages not including notes or index. There are 16 pages of black and white photos. There are also pencil sketches of some of the more important blues artists(Tommy Johnson,Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson,John Lee Hooker,and others)dealt with in the book. There is a list of 100 songs by various artists,which give the listener a very brief look into the various styles of blues mentioned in the text,with a few outside of the “delta” blues area. This is a good starting point for someone new to the blues,however,complete albums or compilations still give greater insight and enjoyment for most anyone who’s interested in this area of music.
The title might give the impression of a dry,intellectual treatise on the subject-”the blues”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Blues music and it’s practitioners,from the country blues singer to the more modern electric city blues artists,is very visceral. In this great book Gioia(author of THE HISTORY OF JAZZ) treats the blues as something alive and moving. His examination covers approximately 100 years of this wonderful music. Using various sources(archival,first-person interviews,etc.) as his starting point Gioia weaves a picture of the growth of blues music(and it’s musicians) which is very readable,informative,and sometimes gives new insight,that’s a bit different from other books of this type.
Gioia not only writes about some of the important blues artists,and relatively unknown people such as Geeshie Wiley(sometimes spelled Geechie,whose music is really good if you can find it) but also the people in the background who,for better or worse,helped define blues music into what we know today. For someone new to this area of music,this is a good place to start. For others more knowledgeable,it’s still a good addition to your library. The author besides being very knowledgeable,has a real feel for what he writes about. This is a good book on the blues-pick it up.
Rating: 4 / 5