The Zombies - Maybe After He's Gone

So, taking all those changes and disagreements into account, what can we say about the state of blues today? There are many answers, but I can only give the ones that seem particularly relevant to me. One is that the great music of the past is more available than ever before, thanks to the Internet, modern fans can hear recordings and watch videos by the finest performers of previous eras, and some young artists have used those tools to learn classic styles and connect with peers who share their tastes. These new artists have included a wave of young African American musicians... who are connecting blues to country, ragtime, jazz, and contemporary pop and alternative styles.

The other answer I’d give is that the same communities and traditions that produced blues a century ago are still producing a wealth of new music. From small neighborhood clubs to stadium stages, and the virtual stages of the Internet... there is a lot of exciting music being made, and if I want to make a case for the continuing power and importance of blues, that’s a good place to start.

Source: The State Of The Blues by Elijah Wald

The Zombies - Maybe After He's Gone

• Written by: Chris White
• Released on: Odessey and Oracle album
• Released in: April 1968

"The Zombies induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, after receiving their 4th nomination in 5 years, among the public and their peers was undeniable. The Zombies joined the 2019 Class Rock & Roll Hall of Famers."

See previous Song of the Day 

Mildred Bailey - Snowball

Many parents believed that this music was simply noise that had a negative influence on impressionable teens. Either way, it became clear that rock and roll was here to stay, bringing with it important changes... the impact of rock and roll, and... how the birth of this new music influenced and was influenced by technology, teen culture, race, and geography.

Students will examine and evaluate conflicting opinions about the music that has appealed to teens over the past fifty years... identify whether they think each quote refers to music in the early days when rock and roll first emerged or in later years when heavy metal and hip hop became popular.

 

As rock and roll became a national phenomenon, many cities across the country became key to its development and expansion... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Landmark Series designates certain sites around the United States as historic rock and roll landmarks. These include King Records in Cincinnati, OH, the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA, and Brooklyn High School and WJW, both in Cleveland, OH.

Source: The Big Bang! The Birth of Rock and Roll

by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Mildred Bailey - Snowball

• Composed by: Hoagy Carmichael
• Genre: Vocal Jazz
• Duration: 03:10

"Mildred Bailey recorded with many of the top jazz musicians of the era, was heard by national audiences on radio programs, and appeared at many popular nightclubs around the country. She had her own CBS radio series in 1944, and continued to make recordings of high quality."

See previous Song of the Day 

Yanni - Within Attraction Live

For nearly 50 years, rock 'n roll was the most popular music in America and in many other parts of the world. There are some common stories about where rock 'n roll came from, but a new book argues that many of those stories are myths.

On songs like Little Red Rooster... this version of the blues didn’t become part of rock music until the 1960s, when the Rolling Stones embraced Delta Blues. And what about the other origin story for rock, that it came from rhythm and blues, or R&B?

Every artist builds on the previous generation’s work... exploring not only the music that came before rock 'n roll, but the music that came before that. There are many examples and some of them go way back.

It may seem like a quantum leap from the suave orchestrations of the Big Band Era to the rowdy sounds of rock 'n roll, but it was really just a hop, skip and jump.

Source: Where Did Rock 'n' Roll Come From? By Richard Paul

Yanni - Within Attraction Live

• Released on:March 1, 1994
• Recorded on: September 25, 1993
• Recorded in: Athens, Greece

"Yanni continues to use the musical shorthand that he developed as a child, blending jazz, classical, soft rock, and world music to create predominantly instrumental works."

See previous Song of the Day 

Stanley Clarke - Undercover Brother On The Run

During World War II, soldiers brought records over to Europe by artists like Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, Lead Belly, and others. Many of those vinyl LPs stuck around after combat in little poor towns, like Liverpool, where the Beatles are from. These albums provided the foundation for the British Invasion rock bands.

We’ve all heard of the British Invasion, right? That period in the 1960s when America was flooded with excellent rock bands... And how that movement lasted well into the ’70s with other bands like Led Zeppelin.

While the music is certainly the result of talent, skill, and hard work, it is also the result of these bands listening to American blues records.

As such, we wanted to showcase a list of old blues songs that would end up providing either the inspiration, foundation, or outright material for covers of tracks now made famous by the British Invasion bands and other now well loved groups.

Source: Classic Rock Songs Inspired by Blues Artists by Jacob Uitti

Stanley Clarke - Undercover Brother On The Run

• Release on: October 25, 2019
• Genre: Jazz, Jazz Fusion
• Released on: Undercover Brother 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album

"Stanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass as well as for his numerous film and television scores."

See previous Song of the Day 

The Flamingos - A Kiss from Your Lips

Musically, rhythm and blues artists, translation,  African American artists, were making tremendous, groundbreaking music, but sales were a tiny fraction compared to lilywhite Pop music, which still made the bulk of the profits for all record companies. Rhythm and Blues was sold as race records through the distributors, a blatant classification based on skin color. Much the same could be said of country music, translation, whites who played rough sounding folk music, sold through the record stores as hillbilly records, it sold well enough for labels to produce these records, but compared to mainstream pop records, hillbilly records were a small blip in sales. There was no disguising the fact that hillbilly was a record company’s classification of poorer, less educated rural Americans.

Just look at the biggest selling artists of the late 1940s and early 1950s... These were the big sellers, the industry leaders, the big stars. It’s hard to visualize today, because now the industry is exactly the opposite, but during this era, really white music for really white people sold lots and lots of records. Even when truly hip African American artists like Nat King Cole scored a mainstream hit, it was always the whitest sounding thing they had ever made, a pander to the suburbanites who bought pleasant sounding recordings.

To come up with an answer for when Rock & Roll began, I believe it depends on several factors. I think to determine the beginning of Rock & Roll, you’ve got to have all three of the factors listed below.

First, I believe there must be a co mingling of black and white cultures, especially when music moved from the back alley blues clubs and the country music barns into the mainstream.

Source: Everything You Know Is Wrong: Rock And Roll Was Invented In Wildwood New Jersey by Deke Dickerson

The Flamingos - A Kiss from Your Lips

• Released in: December 1956
• Recorded in: 1955–1956
• Genre: Rock

"The Flamingos are an American doo wop group formed in Chicago in 1953. The band became popular in mid to late 1950s and are have since been hailed as one of the finest and most influential vocal groups in pop and doo wop music history."

See previous Song of the Day 

Harold Land - Chocolate Mess

During the decade, the types of parentally approved and appropriate dress for teen boys consisted of loose fitting slacks, an ironed shirt and tie, a sports jacket, and polished black or brown loafers. Haircuts were short and neat. Clean cut preppy boys donned tan chinos, a type of pants, that ended just below the ankles, V neck sweaters, and white buck shoes or Top Siders, deck shoes. Their female equivalents wore saddle shoes, bobby socks, blouses with pleated skirts, or dirndl dresses, which featured lots of petticoats, and came sleeveless or with puffed sleeves. Favored hairstyles included the ponytail and bouffant, hair that was teased and combed up to stand high on a woman's head.

Teens who embraced rock 'n roll began looking and dressing in ways that veered from the accepted norm. Teenage boys wore tight fitting blue jeans and white T shirts, an outfit that represented the essence of rock 'n roll rebellion. Or they adapted the greaser look favoring tight T shirts and dungarees, a type of jean, along with black leather jackets. Their hair was grown long, greased with Vaseline, and combed on both sides to extend beyond the back of the head, a style known as the ducktail, or D.A. White bucks were replaced by blue suede shoes, the name of a mid 1950s smash hit by early rock 'n roll icon Carl Perkins, 1932–1998. Their girlfriends expressed themselves by wearing felt poodle skirts, which often featured such images as record players and musical notes attached to their fronts, or they wore short, tight skirts, stockings, tight blouses and sweaters, and an over abundance of eye shadow and lipstick. While a preppy couple who was going steady, or seriously dating, exchanged class rings or identification bracelets, a greaser girl instead put on her boyfriend's leather jacket.

Source: Rock 'N' Roll Style by encyclopedia.com

Harold Land - Chocolate Mess

• Released in: 1972
• Genre: Jazz, Funk, and Soul
• Composed by: Leon Chancler

"In the early 1980s through to the early 1990s Harold Land worked regularly with the Timeless All Stars, a group sponsored by the Timeless jazz record label."

See previous Song of the Day 

Marillion - Somewhere Else

This split, he adds, does have some roots in the social structure of the United States. People were segregated, both through law and through practice, and it was perhaps a natural step for the white decision makers of the recording industry to develop a system of segregating records according to the race of the performers.

As musical styles like urban blues and bop began to appear in the 1940s, it felt ridiculous to put all of those under the umbrella of race music simply because the artists were all Black. Although the term may have gone away, in the ’40s, the idea of segregating the music of Black performers had become well ingrained within the American psyche, Redd writes.

Though radio made it easier for all listeners to hear all kinds of music, by the 1950s, many of these same stations were again using the terms R&B and rock interchangeably. DJ Alan Freed’s Rock and Roll Show played R&B. And though Freed is credited with popularizing the term as a genre, the lyrics of rhythm and blues songs are replete with references to roll and rock or rocking and rolling, Redd writes. Some of these date back as far as the 1920s. Freed himself even saw the genres as the same, frequently using both terms because, he believed they represented the same music.

Source: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me by Ashawnta Jackson

Marillion - Somewhere Else

• Producer by: Michael Hunter
• Released in: 2012
• Genre: Rock

"Marillion are a rock band formed in Aylesbury, England . Their 30 year career is marked by two distinctive phases, the early years fronted by Fish which saw their greatest commercial success, and since 1988 when the band have constantly reinvented themselves."

See previous Song of the Day 

The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony

There was never a time when women weren't a driving force in rock 'n roll, but the 1980s and 1990s witnessed the emergence of a crop of female rock talent that would be the envy of any decade. Among the iconic women rock stars to leave their marks on the era, many of whom were independently produced.

In 1993, ground was finally broken on the long awaited Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum and hall in Cleveland. The moment was accompanied by a concert that drew legendary talent from rock 'n roll years gone by.

Around the time that nu metal began to wane, the post punk revival movement was on the rise. Bands like the White Stripes, the Killers, and the Strokes defined the stripped down, genre blending sound that brought rock 'n roll into the 21st century.

Source: Music History of rock 'n roll by Andrew Lisa

The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony

• Genre: Rock
• Released in: 1997
• Vocals by: Richard Ashcroft

The Verve · Bitter Swe

"In 1998, The Verve won two Brit Awards, winning Best British Group, appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in March, and in February 1999, was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song."

See previous Song of the Day 

Rick Wakeman - The Jig

Rock music has continued to evolve, giving rise to subgenres like punk, alternative rock, grunge, and more. Each of these subgenres has its own unique approach to guitar playing.

Advancements in guitar technology, including solid state amplifiers, effects pedals, and digital modeling, have expanded the possibilities for guitarists in the modern era.

Rock has crossed paths with various genres, including blues rock, jazz rock fusion, and progressive rock, resulting in innovative guitar playing techniques and styles.

The guitar’s journey from the soulful blues of the Mississippi Delta to the electrifying sounds of rock ‘n roll and its many subgenres is a testament to its adaptability and power as an instrument. It has been a vehicle for self expression, rebellion, and creative innovation throughout the decades. Whether in the hands of a blues legend, a rock icon, or a contemporary artist, the guitar continues to shape the musical landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.

Source: From Blues To Rock: Tracing The Evolution Of A Genre Through Guitar by Goncalo Crespo

Rick Wakeman - The Jig

• Release on: August 29, 1995
• Genre: Art Rock, Prog Rock
• Recording in: Bajonor Studios and The Isle Of Man

"Rick Wakeman recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1974 with the resulting record appearing in the top ten of virtually every country in the world"

See previous Song of the Day 

The Disadvantages Of Vinyl

All the Faults and Disadvantages of Vinyl 

Images by Dane Deaner

Non Fill

Non fill refers to a pressing defect that occurs when the molten vinyl does not flow fully to produce a well formed groove. It occurs most often on a 180g record's outer edge and is caused by the vinyl's beginning to harden prematurely.

The sound produced is noise, a sound that we've all heard too often. This was the problem that plagued Classic's early 200g Quiex SV-P flat profile pressings.

Crackle on Vinyl Records

Simply put, the crackle you hear through your speaker is the amplification in sound of an impurity or obstruction on the record surface. When the stylus encounters one of this issue the result will be either a crackle or a pop.

A dirty record is one of the most common reasons for crackle. Dust and dirt lodged in the record grooves act as an obstacle for your turntable’s stylus, and when the stylus hits one of these microscopic particles it will jump and create that popping sound associated with crackle.

Damage to the surface and grooves of the record is another causal factor in record crackle. Even the best cared for vinyl records are susceptible to some form of damage, such is the vulnerable nature of a disc, and scratches, groove malformations and other defects caused by wear and tear all contribute to a record surface that produces crackle when it comes into contact with a stylus.

Impure, poor quality or recycled vinyl is also another reason, as the amount of impurities included in the finished disc result in a defective record surface, which in turn leads to reduced sound quality. Some records are just made to a better finished quality than others. It really can be that simple.

Image by Daniel Mensah Boafo

Warped Records

Warped vinyl is an issue that can significantly impact playback quality. Warping can occur during the manufacturing process or due to improper storage conditions. When inspecting a vinyl record, place it on a flat surface and check to see if it lays flat. If you notice any unevenness or if the record wobbles when spinning, it most likely has a warp.

When it comes to vinyl record warping, there are two primary types that we see: dish-warp and edge-warp. Each type of warp affects the vinyl record differently and can have varying degrees of impact on the sound quality and playback experience.

Dish Warp

Dish warp, also known as bowl warp or centre warp, refers to a type of warping where the centre of the record is raised or elevated compared to the outer edges. This creates a concave shape, resembling a dish or a bowl. Dish warp is typically caused by uneven cooling during the manufacturing process or exposure to excessive heat or direct sunlight. It can also occur due to poor storage conditions where records are stacked improperly. When playing a record with a dish warp, the tonearm and stylus may have difficulty tracking the groove accurately, resulting in skipping or mistracking. The sound quality may also be compromised, with fluctuations in pitch and an overall distorted playback. Moreover, repeated playback on a dish warped record can put additional strain on the turntable’s stylus and motor, potentially causing damage over time.

Edge Warp

Edge warp, also known as rim warp or edge curl, is characterised by the record’s outer edge being raised or bent upwards compared to the centre. This creates an uneven or wavy surface, and the record may not sit flat when placed on a turntable. Edge warp occurs for a variety of reasons, including improper storage, exposure to temperature fluctuations, or mishandling during shipping.

Its impact on sound quality tends to be less severe. Depending on the degree of edge warp, the stylus may encounter uneven grooves, leading to minor fluctuations in pitch or a slightly distorted sound.

Some turntables equipped with adjustable tonearms can compensate to a certain extent.

Image by Mick Haupt

Maintaining Vinyl

Vinyl is harder to maintain than CDs, and should ideally be stored in temperature and humidity controlled environments. Mold can grow on vinyl and may permanently damage it and its sleeve, and can spread from record to record.

Vinyl is very easy to damage during playback. Any scraping of the surface can permanently compromise the sound quality.

More information on damaged vinyl:

This is What "Non-Fill" Looks Like

Why Do Vinyl Records Crackle, And How Can You Stop It?

Common Faults To Watch Out For When Buying New Vinyl Records

Disadvantages

See previous Post

Ronnie Wood - Ghost of a Man

Many claim that the defining moment that makes Cleveland the birthplace of rock started back in the early 1950s, with help from radio disc jockey Alan Freed. His radio show on WJW in Cleveland was gaining popularity because of the kind of music he was playing for his mostly white audience.

The music experience in the United States was split in half, by race. White audiences were listening to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, while African American audiences were listening to rhythm and blues, which was referred to as race music at that time.

Freed became great friends with Leo Mintz, owner of Record Rendezvous record store. Mintz’s store was making waves as one of few places where white people could listen to and purchase race music. Mintz convinced Freed to start playing this music on his radio show, but they changed the genre’s name to a borrowed term from old blues tunes, rock and roll, which was actually a term for fornication.

The results were positively astounding. The audience, particularly white teenagers, were being exposed to a new sound their parents and grandparents often didn’t approve of.

Source: Defining “Rock and Roll” by Lexi Robinson

Ronnie Wood - Ghost of a Man

• Released on: The Ronnie Wood Band & Ron Wood album
• Genre: Blues
• Released in: 2021

"Ron Wood, a founding member of the Birds, has been a member of several classic British rock outfits, but the one that he's undoubtedly most associated with is the Rolling Stones, who he's played with since 1976."

See previous Song of the Day 

Lester Young - Ghost of a Chance (Take 1)

Philadelphia was well positioned to play a leading role in popular music. The city had long been one of the nation’s most important musical centers, with strong traditions in both European derived and African American music dating back to the eighteenth century. In the early twentieth century Philadelphia saw a dramatic increase in its Black population as a result of the Great Migration. By the 1940s, Philadelphia’s large and diverse Black population had created thriving scenes in jazz and gospel music. From these traditions a new kind of music emerged in the 1940s, in Philadelphia and across the nation. Usually played in small combos called jump bands, the music featured rollicking dance rhythms coupled with fairly simple blues based harmonies and melodies. The adaptation of this style, known as rhythm and blues or R&B, by white musicians essentially created rock and roll.

In Philadelphia in the late 1940s and early 1950s, jump bands played dance halls, nightclubs, and corner bars in Black neighborhoods throughout the city. The better groups also toured and got record deals... In 1949 both the Preston and Powell groups recorded a song called Rock The Joint, a spirited tune that rock historians consider a seminal recording in the emergence of rock and roll. Like most R&B music of the time, the records were targeted to a primarily African American audience. It was not until a white Philadelphia area country and western group adapted Rock The Joint, along with other R&B numbers, that Americans at large took notice.

Source: Rock and Roll (Early Years) by Jack McCarthy

Lester Young - Ghost of a Chance (Take 1)

• Released in: 1960
• Genre: Jazz
• Written by: Bing Crosby and Lester Young

"Lester Young was one of the true jazz giants, a tenor saxophonist who came up with a completely different conception in which to play his horn, floating over bar lines with a light tone."

See previous Song of the Day 

Roberta Flack - Angelitos Negros

That link between writing music and the physical outcome of it is one of the problems I have with the modern blues musician. They make records. They are not recorded. It's not their fault, you understand, we live in a time where music as product is inescapable, so everyone channels their art into this product even if they don't mean to. Their art is made with format in mind. Therefore the modern version of the blues, the type you find under the Blues & Jazz section in HMV, is the performer communicating their version of the blues to other people from original idea through to CD in jewel case. They are artists. My over simplistic view of the blues is that it has a purpose, and that purpose is to sing away your troubles or sooth them somehow. That's where the roots of the music lie. In theory, if you do a perfect job you won't be playing the blues anymore, as you'll have cheered your ass up. When you're on a 10 album contract you're probably less likely to work towards that goal, if you know what I mean.

Now, I know, a real or natural recording is impossible. I'm not naïve enough to think that the early race recordings I'm talking about were made in wonderful, uncorrupted surroundings and that their strength is in their purity, or some such nonsense. Like the late blues scholar, guitar legend and fat drunken antagonist John Fahey pointed out in his thesis on the aforementioned Charley Patton, any recorded environment is unnatural, even that of the folklorist who went from town to town making natural field recordings of black musicians.

But the early, late 1920s/early 1930s, race records are the closest we can come to natural, to hearing someone articulate their feelings in a piece of music conceived with no mind to commerce, even if the act of recording that music is commercial to the core. Don't underestimate how powerful that is.

Source: diskant gets the blues

Roberta Flack - Angelitos Negros

• Released in: 1969
• Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
• Vocals by: Roberta Flack

"Roberta Flack performs in the areas of jazz, soul, and folk, and began her professional career recording for Atlantic Records without much success, until one of her earliest recordings which won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year."

See previous Song of the Day 

Cage The Elephant - Trouble

Great Britain in the late 1950s did not enjoy the variety of radio and television available in the United States. The BBC controlled virtually all broadcast entertainment in the United Kingdom. Popular music was heard only on a portion of broadcasting known as the Light Programme, which ceased broadcasting at midnight every day, and in any case, carried other presentations besides music. When the Beatles first arrived in America in 1964, they all expressed astonishment at the wide selection of radio stations and the programs they offered, which were still not available in Britain.

The ports were how American music gained a foothold in Great Britain, through the records which were brought in, both legally and illegally, from overseas. Listening to the music from the records, rather than occasional play on the radio, allowed the listeners to parse them carefully. British musicians learned to play the sounds from America, often modifying them to allow use of available instruments. Different sounds developed in Great Britain, sourced from the same American records. In London, Manchester, Tottenham, Liverpool, and other cities, distinctly different styles of British music were derived from the works of... other American performers.

British record producers and music entrepreneurs, aware of the record sales of American rock and roll acts, made several attempts to create home grown British competition. For the most part, they were unsuccessful... their success was not repeated in the United States, and they received little regard in Europe, including Germany, where American rock and roll was well received. They were pale limitations of their American counterparts. There were of course some exceptions, but they were relatively few.

Billy Fury was one, who mimicked the rockabilly style on Sound and Fury in 1960 with some success... A true British rock and roll star was Johnny Kidd, who with his group the Pirates recorded Shakin’ all Over, which continued to be covered by American and British bands for decades. Beginning in the early 1960s, British rock and roll ebbed, replaced by development of beat music in the north, and rhythm and blues in London and Manchester.

Source: How America Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to the World by Larry Holzwarth

Cage The Elephant - Trouble

• Released on: April 26, 2016
• Genre: Dream folk, psychedelic pop
• Written by: Dan Auerbach

"Cage The Elephant currently consists of Matt Shultz, vocals, his older brother Brad Shultz, rhythm guitar, Nick Bockrath, lead guitar, Matthan Minster, guitar, keyboards, Daniel Tichenor, bass, and Jared Champion, drums."

See previous Song of the Day 

John Prine - Sam Stone

There is something to this magnificent music that draws my ears in a way like no other. People always say that there is that one song that you hear, and when it grabs you, it holds you to your very core. I would say most, if not all blues music I came in contact with had that effect on me. One benefit of growing up in the age of the internet was that I had options to craft my individuality the way I saw fit. In this case, I dived deep into the blues, because it was always at my fingertips. The way I saw it, why would I only listen to what was popular when I could literally explore any genre I wanted? I listened to punk, afrobeat, hip hop, gospel, and classical music. In each of these genres, I found the blues. It was so interesting to me understanding how everyone’s favorite band loved and admired the blues so greatly, yet everyday people didn’t seem to care about blues. 

I quickly learned that people’s perception of the Blues were heavily misguided. Some people thought it was just a black man strumming a guitar down south singing about whiskey and women. Other people reduced its complexity to being just a music that gave birth to Rock n Roll. The Blues in this narrative was an antiquated sonic form, its only purpose being a stepping stone to the development of rock and roll. Very few people were intentional in saying what it actually was though, an African American art form. I see the blues as a folkloric element to the Black experience that is passed down through generations, verbally or nonverbally. When I was a child growing up, my grandfather would sit in the back of his truck and listen to the radio. Oftentimes, I would tag along, and together we would spend afternoons sitting in his car listening to Blues music on the radio. I was much younger then, barely past four or five, however I knew that what I was experiencing was something special. I had no words to describe what that experience felt like until years later, when I came across a well known painting called The Banjo Lesson by Henry Ossawa Tanner. In that image, I saw an aesthetic contextualizing the relationship with my own grandfather, a Black man passing down culture and folklore to a younger generation.

Source: The Blues That Sprung From My Roots by Kyle Thompson

John Prine - Sam Stone

• Written by: John Prine
• Released in: 1971
• Genre: Rock, Folk

"John Prine was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death. He was known for an often humorous style of original music that has elements of protest and social commentary."

See previous Song of the Day 

Caravan - Every Handful of Rice

When the genre gave a voice to their common experiences in a period where the majority of society was indoctrinated to both deny and eliminate their self expression... This was one of the major themes of the blues, the voice of the people, in addition to love, poverty, and betrayal, amongst many others. These themes were one of the elements that would later become essential in many of the multitude of genres that blues music spawned.

The rising popularity of blues throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries spawned two subgenres which we know today as ragtime and jazz.

The two genres formed their own identities and developed in parallel in the 1910s, and eventually led to more subgenres, jump blues, which was then also identified as rhythm and blues, bebop, and electric blues.

The emergence of electric blues was the final push needed to claim the mainstream spotlight for the genre, spreading blues over radio waves around the world.

While bebop grew to become the predominant form of modern jazz, it still had a relatively small audience in the African American community. It was in this community that experimentation led to the fusion of the genres of gospel and rhythm and blues, forming the genre named soul, which in its early forms could be interpreted as an entirely secular form of gospel.

It was during the late 1960s and ‘70s at the height of the Civil Rights era when soul artists began to incorporate themes of protest and political awareness into their music. These themes, along with their parent blues’ motifs, all eventually made their way into later generations of hip hop and rap.

Source: From Blues To Hip Hop: The Pursuit Of Freedom Through Music by Eddy Lim

Caravan - Every Handful of Rice

• Released in: 1978
• Genre: Rock, Folk
• Duration: 3:33

"Caravan, is a Thai folk rock band that formed out of the 1973 democracy movement. It launched the Phleng pheua chiwit, songs for life, genre that has since been popularized by Carabao."

See previous Song of the Day 

Ronald Isley - Lay You Down

Dating as far back as the mid 1950s, people all over the world have been rocking and rolling. There’s no question why rock and roll is one of the most popular and influential styles of music in history. Combining elements from several genres including rhythm and blues, jazz, boogie woogie, as well as gospel and country, rock and roll boasts an undeniable groove and soulful energy that is hard for anyone to ignore. Rock and roll has left its mark on language, lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and many other facets of life. Beyond being fun to listen to, there are many rock and roll benefits that are highly rewarding, no matter who you are. Rock & roll music has a way of uniting cultures and bringing people together.

When you really listen and feel the music, rock and roll often strikes a chord within that resonates with our heart, mind, and spirit. Nothing touches the soul quite like rock and roll music, because it expresses at times what we cannot express ourselves. Music can also provide a major distraction, which helps us forget our trials and tribulations for a moment, and take us to another place. Perhaps it reminds you of a pleasant memory or gives you hope and courage to press on against your daily struggles. It not only carries an infectious groove but rock and roll conveys profound emotion and meaning. Words and lyrics are combined with the instruments and melodies to create something special, something one of a kind. Rock music is beautiful and emotional and has the potential to speak to you if you’re willing to listen.

Source: Music Education by Noah Robertson

Ronald Isley - Lay You Down

• Released in: 2013
• Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
• Written by: Patrick Hayes, Tremaine Neverson, and Troy Taylor

"As a preteen, Ronald Isley joined siblings Rudolph, O'Kelly, and Vernon to form the earliest incarnation of the group. After Vernon's 1955 death in a bicycling accident, Ronald was tapped as the remaining trio's lead vocalist."

See previous Song of Day

Mansun - Rock 'n' Roll Loser

In a very real sense, rock was implicit in the music of the first Africans brought to North America. It’s an important lineage to acknowledge. Language and culture were the only thing slaves could bring with them from Africa, and their musical rhythms and practices fused with Western religion, giving birth to gospel which begat blues which then begat jazz and rock ‘n roll. That river of song runs so deeply through the collective musical history of the United States and, through its cultural influence, the musical history of the world, it is difficult to map exactly where any of that river’s tributaries begin.

When asked if any amount of evidence can establish a definitive birthplace of rock ‘n roll, Wilder said, I’ve learned the hard way that music and art is subjective, so I guess the answer is no, you can’t really draw a line in the sand. People are going to have opinions, and I’ve always had ‘em!

Whether these are the first rock 'n roll songs, they are definitely rock ‘n roll, a loud collective sound that speaks to the primitive urges in all of us, the you and me against the world that spurred a thousand love affairs, the same rush that makes you rev your engine to the radio, even if it’s just in the Whole Foods parking lot. Rock ‘n roll is Roosevelt Graves hollering Well? after a tumult of rhythm, one person left to be the answer to the world’s clattering question.

Source: Hattiesburg: Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll? by Alex V. Cook

Mansun - Rock 'n' Roll Loser

• Produced by: Richard Rainey and Paul Draper
• Vocals by: Paul Draper
• Genre: Rock

"Mansun were initially called Grey Lantern, after DC Comics influenced, but soon changed their name to Manson, after the cult leader Charles Manson. They were noted and sometimes derided for their constantly changing fashion styles."

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Yusef Lateef - Introlude

Bands like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin were created within the 1960’s. The rise of new emerging artists familiarized the public to the sound of rock ‘n roll. From their iconic stage presence, there were higher levels of energy produced during performances in both the bands and the crowd.

When the 80s hit it was time for stronger, crazier, and overall intensive music to be created... This was not only because of their instrumentals, but because of their messages behind the music. Their reason of being focused on having a good time, which included a lot of partying with a lot women. Of course, there were adults who were against the impressionable youth listening to more vulgar music.

Rock ‘n roll today has taken a back seat in the world of music. The new generation is all about genres including pop, alternative, and rap. I do not see many people my age enjoying the intense sounds of classic rock music from the past. There are many groups that are trying to make a name for themselves in the modern rock scene, but not many people know about them.

Source: The Evolution Of Rock 'N Roll by Brooke Sanches

Yusef Lateef - Introlude

• Recorded on: August 14, 1961
• Recorded in: New York City
• Genre: Hard Bop

"Yusef Lateef remained active as a composer, improviser, and educator, teaching at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, performing and recording as a leader and collaborator on noteworthy recordings."

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Joni Mitchell - River

The blues guitar style has been instrumental in shaping the way rock guitarists approach their instruments, Bluesy Guitar Licks, the blues introduced the world to iconic guitar techniques like bending strings, sliding, and vibrato. These techniques are prevalent in rock music, contributing to its emotive and expressive qualities.

Blues Rock Fusion, the late 1960s and early 1970s saw a surge in blues rock fusion bands like Cream, Led Zeppelin, and The Allman Brothers Band. These bands seamlessly blended blues elements with rock, creating a dynamic and influential subgenre.

The blues tradition of storytelling through music deeply influenced rock lyricism, Emotional Depth, both blues and rock often explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition, delving into deep emotional territories that resonate with audiences.

Protest and Social Commentary, the blues often addressed social issues, and this tradition continued in rock music with artists like Bob Dylan, who used their lyrics to engage with political and cultural issues.

Source: Exploring the Influence of Blues on Rock Music by Gift Adene

Joni Mitchell - River

• Released on: Blue album
• Released in: June 1971
• Produced by: Joni Mitchell

"Joni Mitchell's River, a holiday standard, has become a popular cover by artists across genres, particularly around the holidays. It is the most covered composition by Mitchell with 888 cover versions recorded."

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Roy Haynes - Satan's Mysterious Feeling

Sun Studio, located at 706 Union Avenue, was started by one of the fathers of rock ‘n roll, Sam Phillips, in 1950. It was the commingling of the Memphis Recording Service and Sun Records that formed Sun Studio, and until 1969... The studio’s claim to fame is that it is where the first rock ‘n roll record was produced, Rocket 88, in April 1951.

Stax Records was born in 1957. The original Stax was named Satellite Records until it changed its name to Stax in 1961. The company brought to the forefront American and Memphis soul, as well as gospel, funk and the Delta blues. Its most famous act was Otis Redding, and after his death in 1967, the studio struggled to stay in competition with Detroit’s Motown.

The music of Memphis has evolved from its long, rich history. The legends of the past have created a legacy that newer artists can only hope to imitate but never really duplicate. A walk along Beale Street should invoke the memory of the great musicians who have come to and played in Memphis. It is also a great place to connect with the city’s musical past, present and future.

Source: A Brief History of Memphis Music

by We Are Memph

Roy Haynes - Satan's Mysterious Feeling

• Release in: 1972
• Genre: Jazz
• Released on: Equipoise album

"Roy Haynes has led bands such as the Hip Ensemble. His albums Fountain of Youth and Whereas were nominated for a Grammy Award."

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The Waterboys - Saints & Angels

Across the pond, the music landscape in Britain changed radically. From the ‘60s onwards, we were graced with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, then Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Smiths, and eventually Oasis in the ‘90s. Manchester and London were bouncing.

The music had a gritty emotional resonance that elevated people from humdrum life, glorifying the struggle against unemployment and rising inequality with reactionary lyrics and illuminating rhythms.

Noel Gallagher claimed that Oasis was the last true rock ’n roll band. They were pre YouTube, he said. He meant that the actual experience is now lost, because everything is available at the touch of a screen. No need to make the effort to be somewhere anymore.

Well, the leading genre in Britain today is processed pop. Maybe that’s because there’s less need for profound lyrics and original musicians, people just want to hear catchy songs. One view is that music plays a supportive role to teenagers now, rather than a liberating one. Everyone has access to everything on their phones, so there’s less need to make the effort.

Some might say technology has made us passive. And music now is less about the art and more about the money making... many recent pop songs have been written behind the scenes, not by the artists themselves, but by talented writer producers.

Source: Rock ‘n roll is still a cornerstone of British culture by Danny

The Waterboys - Saints & Angels

• Released in: 2009
• Genre: Folk, World, & Country
• Released on: Saints & Scoundrels album

"The Waterboys and its members' solo careers have received much praise from both rock and folk music critics, but The Waterboys as a band has never received the commercial success that some of its members have had independently."

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The Strokes - Mercy Mercy Me

Rock 'n roll's rebellious and often provocative nature challenged traditional social norms and values. Its lyrics touched on taboo subjects such as romance, sexuality, and youthful angst, sparking controversies and moral debates among parents, educators, and religious groups.

However, these controversies only fueled the genre's popularity among rebellious youth who saw it as a form of artistic expression and freedom.

Over time, the acceptance and commercial success of rock 'n roll helped pave the way for greater artistic freedom and creative expression in popular music. As the genre continued to evolve, artists embraced social and political themes in their music, contributing to the broader cultural dialogue of their time.

With the advent of the digital age, rock 'n roll faced new challenges and opportunities. Digital music distribution platforms like iTunes and streaming services like Spotify revolutionized the way music was consumed, providing access to an unprecedented library of songs.

Despite the rise of digital music, rock 'n roll's legacy endures, with classic rock stations and retro playlists continuing to be popular among listeners of all ages. Many iconic rock bands from previous decades, such as The Rolling Stones and U2, still enjoy massive global followings and sell out stadium concerts.

The genre's timeless appeal lies in its ability to capture the spirit of rebellion, freedom, and creative expression that resonates with successive generations. Rock 'n roll has left an indelible mark on popular culture, shaping the way we listen to music, express ourselves, and connect with others through a shared love for the power and energy of rock 'n roll.

Source: The Legacy Of Rock 'n Roll - atracing It's Impact On Popular Culture: De Mode Global

The Strokes - Mercy Mercy Me

• Written by: Marvin Gaye
• Released on: You Only Live Once album
• Released in: July 24, 2006

"The Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in New York City in 1998. They were a leading group of the early 2000s post punk revival and garage rock revival movements."

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