Story of the Blues
This film catalogued the history of the blues and its transformation over time. No fixed rules existed in the beginning of jazz. The themes of the songs could be varied, and the rhythm could be either 8, 12, or 16 beats. People, mainly African American men, played the music on the road while traveling to cities such as Memphis and St. Louis. Definitive rules regarding the structure of jazz music were not developed until the end of the 19th century. The rhythm had to be 12 beats with 4 stanzas- 12 beat blues and 4 beat rhythm. There were four basic chords, and they were always in major key. Blind Lemon Jefferson was one of the first blues players who was able to record his composition with these rules.
As the blues entered urban centers, the artists learned more styles and the music began to change. Towards the end of the 19th century, African American men began to learn how to use different instruments that were once only available to white men, leading to the birth of the jazz sound. They created different sounds with the same instruments that white men used. Jazz involved the sound of the voice being passed onto the instruments. The words and lyrics became secondary. Artists would build their own instruments because they lacked funds, such as the gaze, jug, and washboard.
Female singers didn’t appear until well into the 20th century, closer to the late 1920’s. Female artists, like Memphis Minnie, sang lyrics about love, loss, and jealousy. Overtime more instruments came into play, and the access to the instruments grew. For example, B.B. King was known for his music with the electric guitar and his expressive force.
Chicago was known to be the city that welcomed jazz players the most. The first jazz and blues recordings were actually made in Chicago. The best jazz piece to this day is said to be by Louis Armstrong. Like the blues, jazz is live music and it is created while it is played. Each interpretation is a unique work.
The rest of the world would come to know about Blues and Jazz, especially, through a later form of the genre called Boogie-Woogie that American soldiers would spread throughout Europe during World War II.
I love the use of imagery throughout most of the film to demonstrate the feelings and emotions that the songs intend to convey. Although the film was not heavily narrated, it was refreshing that the film makers decided to allow the music do most of the talking. The song “Evolution Blues” with “cousin” Joe on the vocals impressed me because it not only exemplifies the Blues genre, but it also engages the listener with genuine humor. Additionally, B.B. King’s use of the electric guitar surprisingly stays true to the roots of Blues music.
Citation:
Film: Story of the Blues: From Blind Lemon to B.B. King (2004)