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John Cale - Like A Hurricane

Before discussing these regional and stylistic aspects of Louisiana blues, a few basic premises should be established. To begin, much of the musical terminology found here, and in similar articles elsewhere, is rarely used by blues musicians themselves, who might well find it irrelevant. Such jargon has evolved, rather, as a useful way to categorize material and standardize research, as well as for marketing. When superimposed on active music traditions, it does not always fit neatly. In addition, meanings and inferences change continually with time. Such limits should be recognized.

Next, the on going folkloric debate over authenticity is certainly relevant here. At this point in time it seems safe to state that no living blues artists have learned through oral tradition only, with absolutely no exposure to mass media. Except in rare cases, such as the pre War blues genre known as work songs, for instance, the influence of recordings, radio, and the internet on Louisiana blues is an inevitable, important factor. One musician whom I interviewed in the field in 1989 illustrated this point in a particularly striking way... he learned solely by listening to records. Dorsey mimics Hopkins' records perfectly in a very soulful and convincing manner. Although then in his late fifties, and still performing today, with his longtime partner Wayne Tookie Collum, Dorsey claimed to have never traveled outside of this isolated rural area, nor ever heard, let alone been taught by, any other guitarists.


John Cale - Like A Hurricane
  • Released on: January 16, 2016
  • Released on: Rockin' In The Free World album 
  • Genre: Rock

"Since leaving The Velvet Underground in 1968, John Cale has released seventeen solo studio albums, including the widely acclaimed Paris 1919 and Music for a New Society."

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