Chapter 2 Listening Assignment

As you listen to the blues song "Black Snake Moan," a country blues song by Blind Lemon Jefferson, identify the correct wording of the lyrics to each of the following statements.

*Check

Robert Johnson was considered a genius of the blues guitar combining strumming, slide work, and solo lines all at the same time. In this example, Ramblin' on my Mind, Robert Johnson sings in one verse that "I got the blues about..."

miss so-and-so and the child got the blues about me

The song "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" is performed in the work song, call and response, style where the call is usually made by the leader and responded in answer by the rest of the group of workers. This form of call and response gradually evolved into areas of gospel and spiritual music. Listen to the original version recorded by the Fisk Jubilee Singers and identify the words that the group sings to support the lead singer.

Coming for to carry me home

Memphis Blues (written in 1909 and published in 1912) is credited as the first published blues song and makes use of the stride piano style where the pianists' left hand plays big interval leaps in the bass range. Although this style of piano playing was commonly found in brothels and saloons, it was composed in this case as an election campaign song for Mr. Edward H. Crump when he ran for Mayor of Memphis. W.C. Handy changed the lyrics after the campaign from supporting Mr. Crump to the words you hear in this version in protest of Mr. Crump closing the brothels (where piano players frequently worked) in an effort to clean up the city. According to the lyrics what is it that Mr. Crump won't allow?

Easy Riders

In the song "I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole," by Blind Willie Johnson, the droning deep south slide guitar playing is introduced and is particularly evident. These days we play slide guitar by using a manufactured apparatus that fits over one of your fingers specifically designed to create this sound as it moves over the neck of the guitar; in Johnson's day this was done with a pocketknife or a bottle neck. Johnson also used a great deal of religious content in his music and was known to preach on the street with songs like this one. Notice that he sings lines from a bible parable (Matthew 9:20) as the theme of the song and at the end of every verse refers to the deadly sins (from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales) to warn the listener of temptation. Listen carefully and identify the line from the biblical parable that Johnson repeatedly sings.

I have touched the hem of his garment

Listen to both the Blind Willie McTell and Allman Brothers versions of the song "Statesboro Blues." This is an excellent example of the the blues standing the test of time. The original (McTell) and alternate version (Allman Bros) were recorded more than 30 years apart. And modern versions of this song are still being recorded well into the 21st century. As you listen to the two versions of "Statesboro Blues" determine which of the following is most similar in both versions.

Lyrics (the words being sung)

Drinking and womanizing are popular themes for many blues singers because their audience can relate to the stories portrayed in these types of songs. As you listen to Big Bill Broonzy sing "Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me Down," he makes reference to several people that tell him he needs to stop drinking. Identify who gives him this advice in each verse:

Verse 1 - His 16-year-old girlfriend Verse 2 - His woman (wife) Verse 3 - His doctor

The story of Stagger Lee is based on a real person and event and has evolved into a legendary story depicted in many blues songs. The story also changes, or becomes more elaborate, depending on the interpretation of the singer. Here is the original newspaper article that inspired the song: "SHOT IN CURTIS'S PLACE" St Louis Globe-Democrat, December 26, 1895... "William Lyons, 25, coloured, a levee hand, living at 1410 Morgan Street, was shot in the abdomen yesterday evening at 10 o'clock in the saloon of Bill Curtis, at Eleventh and Morgan streets, by Lee Sheldon, also coloured. "Both parties, it seems, had been drinking, and were feeling in exuberant spirits. Lyons and Sheldon were friends and were talking together. The discussion drifted to politics, and an argument was started, the conclusion of which was that Lyons snatched Sheldon's hat from his head. "The latter indignantly demanded its return. Lyons refused, and Sheldon drew his revolver and shot Lyons in the abdomen [...] When his victim fell to the floor, Sheldon took his hat from the hand of the wounded man and coolly walked away." In the version by Champion Jack Dupree follow the story and match the correct lyrics to the following questions:

What instrument leads the song until the vocals enter? - Saxophone What instrument keeps the rhythm in the song? - Drums Who is Stagger Lee's gambling partner? - Billy Lyon Stagger Lee says he is going to kill his friend who pleads he has... - Two children and a wife Who does the singer want by his grave at his funeral? - 10,000 women Who does the singer want to play the blues at his funeral? - Louis Armstrong

The lyrics to "Down the Dirt Road Blues" by Charlie Patton may be difficult to interpret at times due to the slurred and mumbled approach to singing the lyrics. However, in this recording, does Charlie Patton keep to the call and response style of blues throughout the song?

Yes