Delta Blues case study

The Delta blues is one of the earliest styles of blues music, dating back to the early 20th century. It originated in the Mississippi Delta, a region of the United States stretching from Memphis, Tennessee, in the north to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the south and from Helen, Arkansas, in the west to the Yazoo River in the east.

 

Steel Guitar

Guitar and harmonica are its dominant instruments; slide guitar (usually played on a steel guitar) is a distinguishing characteristic of the style. The harmonica is also a common instrument used in Delta blues. Vocal styles in Delta blues range from introspective and soulful to passionate and fiery.

 

Delta Blues was first recorded in the late 1920s, when record companies realized the potential African-American market for "race records". It is believed that Freddie Spruell is the first Delta blues artist to have been recorded; his Milk Cow Blues was recorded in Chicago in June 1926. Other Delta blues artists include Robert Wilkins, Big Joe Williams, Charley Patton, and of course Robert Johnson.

 

Robert Johnson: one of only three verified photographs

Robert Johnson is well known because not only is he a part of the 27 Club, he allegedly sold his soul to the devil (Faustian myth) at a crossroads to achieve success. As a nomad performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime. Johnson is now, however, recognized as a master of the Delta blues style and was thus inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence in its first induction ceremony, in 1986.

Delta blues songs are typically expressed in the first person narrative and often concern love, sex, the traveling lifestyle and its misfortunes: sin, salvation and death. Several blues musicians were imprisoned in the Mississippi State Penitentiary - also known as Parchman farm. It is the oldest prison and the only maximum security prison for men in the state of Mississippi, and it  is referred to in songs such as Booker 'Bukka' White's Parchman Farm Blues and the folk song Midnight Special which has been recorded by Paul McCartney.

Still from the episode Crossroad Blues in Supernatural

The Delta blues mythology has become very common within popular culture and appears as the main storyline in many songs, movies and TV shows. For example, things that I have watched include the movie Crossroads (1986) and  an episode from the fantasy horror television series Supernatural.

Delta blues was also an inspiration for the creation of British skiffle music, from which eventually came the British invasion bands, while simultaneously influencing British blues, which led to the birth of early hard rock and heavy metal. Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode stated that the group's album Delta Machine was inspired by Delta blues.