After being in church and learning musical form, blacks began to develop their own style of music: Country/Texas Blues. This was the first time blacks had a music that was characteristic and unique to them.
There was almost always some sort of instrumentation, and the majority of the time the instrumentation was just guitar and voice.
The 12 bar blues form that we're familiar with today didn't really develop until years after Texas Blues became popular. Instead, Texas Blues forms were more free form because the melodies were more like solos and so the performer could take many liberties with the song, including length.
Perhaps the most popular Texas Blues guitarist was Robert Johnson (the man in the video). The reason he claimed to be so good at the Blues was because he had sold his soul to the devil in exchange to play the music well. Most importantly about Robert Johnson is that he's been credited for the invention of the turnaround. A turnaround consists of the chords in the last 2-4 measures of a song that lead the listener back to the first chord of the song. Sure, there were probably people who had done it before Robert Johnson, but he was the one to bring popularity to it. Fun fact: One of Eric Clapton's influences is Robert Johnson.
(I feel like I need a cool send-off phrase, like in Anchorman when they say "Stay Classy San Diego." I'm open for suggestions).
Note: I believe if "white" is politically correct, as is "black." I actually think "African American" is more offensive because it assumes the person is from Africa. If anyone can shed some knowledge I'm now aware of on this topic, please share.
Here's my two cents. End each piece with a quote. Could be a different one each time, or one you like. Here's one I like:
"Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." - Charles Mingus
Check out this website for jazz quotationsI feel like I need a cool send-off phrase, like in Anchorman when they say "Stay Classy San Diego." I'm open for suggestions).
lil, you never cease to impress. Not only a good site, but good start to the quotes with good ol' MIngus. He's one of my favorite bassists.
Another interesting musical genre that shares roots with Texas jazz if it isn't directly influenced by it is zydeco. If you know more about the connection could you please expand on my knowledge? Zydeco is a combination of blues and creole. We have a local music nightclub that features zydeco on a regular basis. It developed in louisiana and has found popularity all across the south. Edit: Leroy Thomas, one of the performers that plays at the local bar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K7l_E8KXL4&feature=yout...
Yeah I should get to that within a week. Zydeco came about when Creole's were losing they're ability to relate or connect as a white person and so created they're own genre. Leroy's music almost has hints of Ska in it, which is really awesome. Does he have any albums?
This is his web site http://www.zydecoroadrunners.com/cds.html He's been releasing albums since 98. I need to go back and listen for that ska influence on that song. I'm mobile right now so I just made sure audio quality wasn't shit. What part are you hearing that ska influence in? I have to admit I haven't listened to him as much as I should so its quite possible I have missed some of the nuance in many of his songs.
I'll check out his site. From the accent on the upbeats. I say ska because the tempo if higher than reggae.