How Britain Got the Blues: The Transmission and Reception of American Blues Style in the United Kingdom

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music
Cover of the book How Britain Got the Blues: The Transmission and Reception of American Blues Style in the United Kingdom by Roberta Freund Schwartz, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Roberta Freund Schwartz ISBN: 9781317120933
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 29, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Roberta Freund Schwartz
ISBN: 9781317120933
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 29, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book explores how, and why, the blues became a central component of English popular music in the 1960s. It is commonly known that many 'British invasion' rock bands were heavily influenced by Chicago and Delta blues styles. But how, exactly, did Britain get the blues? Blues records by African American artists were released in the United States in substantial numbers between 1920 and the late 1930s, but were sold primarily to black consumers in large urban centres and the rural south. How, then, in an era before globalization, when multinational record releases were rare, did English teenagers in the early 1960s encounter the music of Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Memphis Minnie, and Barbecue Bob? Roberta Schwartz analyses the transmission of blues records to England, from the first recordings to hit English shores to the end of the sixties. How did the blues, largely banned from the BBC until the mid 1960s, become popular enough to create a demand for re-released material by American artists? When did the British blues subculture begin, and how did it develop? Most significantly, how did the music become a part of the popular consciousness, and how did it change music and expectations? The way that the blues, and various blues styles, were received by critics is a central concern of the book, as their writings greatly affected which artists and recordings were distributed and reified, particularly in the early years of the revival. 'Hot' cultural issues such as authenticity, assimilation, appropriation, and cultural transgression were also part of the revival; these topics and more were interrogated in music periodicals by critics and fans alike, even as English musicians began incorporating elements of the blues into their common musical language. The vinyl record itself, under-represented in previous studies, plays a major part in the story of the blues in Britain. Not only did recordings shape perceptions and listening habits, but which artists were available at any given time also had an enormous impact on the British blues. Schwartz maps the influences on British blues and blues-rock performers and thereby illuminates the stylistic evolution of many genres of British popular music.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book explores how, and why, the blues became a central component of English popular music in the 1960s. It is commonly known that many 'British invasion' rock bands were heavily influenced by Chicago and Delta blues styles. But how, exactly, did Britain get the blues? Blues records by African American artists were released in the United States in substantial numbers between 1920 and the late 1930s, but were sold primarily to black consumers in large urban centres and the rural south. How, then, in an era before globalization, when multinational record releases were rare, did English teenagers in the early 1960s encounter the music of Robert Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller, Memphis Minnie, and Barbecue Bob? Roberta Schwartz analyses the transmission of blues records to England, from the first recordings to hit English shores to the end of the sixties. How did the blues, largely banned from the BBC until the mid 1960s, become popular enough to create a demand for re-released material by American artists? When did the British blues subculture begin, and how did it develop? Most significantly, how did the music become a part of the popular consciousness, and how did it change music and expectations? The way that the blues, and various blues styles, were received by critics is a central concern of the book, as their writings greatly affected which artists and recordings were distributed and reified, particularly in the early years of the revival. 'Hot' cultural issues such as authenticity, assimilation, appropriation, and cultural transgression were also part of the revival; these topics and more were interrogated in music periodicals by critics and fans alike, even as English musicians began incorporating elements of the blues into their common musical language. The vinyl record itself, under-represented in previous studies, plays a major part in the story of the blues in Britain. Not only did recordings shape perceptions and listening habits, but which artists were available at any given time also had an enormous impact on the British blues. Schwartz maps the influences on British blues and blues-rock performers and thereby illuminates the stylistic evolution of many genres of British popular music.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Multicultural Education of Children and Adolescents by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Macroeconomic Systems by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Pan-African History by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Social Capital and Associations in European Democracies by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book History of Art by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Gladstone by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Revival: The Junius Manuscript (1931) by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Hybrid Public Policy Innovations by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Leadership by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Cold Science by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book The Legal Regime of Offshore Oil Rigs in International Law by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book The Vietnam War by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Thomism in John Owen by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Case Studies in Curriculum Change by Roberta Freund Schwartz
Cover of the book Religion and Cyberspace by Roberta Freund Schwartz
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy