Overview

The history of South Carolina blues is a long, deep--and sometimes painful--story. However, it is a narrative with aspects as compelling as the music itself. Geographical differences in America led to variations in the styles of music that developed from African rhythms. The wet, marshy landscape and hot, muggy weather of the Carolina Lowcountry combined to cultivate not only rice, but a Gullah-based style of South Carolina blues. In drier climates, toward the Midlands and the Upstate, the combination of European influences led to the emergence of Piedmont blues, which in turn spawned country music as well as bluegrass. Those same Gullah roots resulted in four major dance crazes, starting with the Charleston.

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9781467114721

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Reviews

Clair DeLune's photographic research has unearthed some priceless gems, tracing the evolution of blues from its roots in African music and slave life on Southern plantations to the biracial blues festivals, concerts and jams held all over South Carolina these days. Incisive and detailed annotations bring the story to life. A lot of unsung heroes are given their due, and the SC roots of various figures I'd never realized were from the state - including Rev. Gary Davis, Clara Smith, Josh White, Eartha Kitt, J.B. Hutto, and two legendary Browns (Nappy and James) - are brought to light. Even Chubby Checker was born in the Palmetto State! (Who knew?) A wonderful book to browse at your leisure or read intently from cover to cover. Parke Puterbaugh, writer/historian at the R&R Hall of Fame, author, Rolling Stone editor and History of Rock & Roll professor at Guilford College

"""Clair DeLune's photographic research has unearthed some priceless gems, tracing the evolution of blues from its roots in African music and slave life on Southern plantations to the biracial blues festivals, concerts and jams held all over South Carolina"

Clair DeLune's photographic research has unearthed some priceless gems, tracing the evolution of blues from its roots in African music and slave life on Southern plantations to the biracial blues festivals, concerts and jams held all over South Carolina

Author Information

In this book, music history professor and blues radio host Clair DeLune dusts off neglected nuggets of history, drawing on archival photographs and rarely seen memorabilia from a generation of musicians' personal collections. Readers will learn not only new information about some famous players who left their musical mark on history, but even more about the not-so-famous ones, as well as modern masters who carry on the rhythms of their predecessors and are truly keeping South Carolina blues alive.

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