A Guide to the Blues

This ambitious work is the only book about the blues that embraces a complete history, over 300 biographical entries on the musicians, and an extensive filmography, discography, and bibliography. Sonnier traces almost 1,000 years of cultural history and connects the birth of the blues to its roots in African history and musical forms and to the history of slavery. He visits some highly musical places where the blues flourished in America and explores the influence of voodoo on the blues and, in turn, the influence of the blues on rock and roll. An alphabetically organized biographical dictionary includes up-to-date discographies on blues men and women. Nicknames by which the musicians are known are cross-referenced. The work contains photos of many blues greats, some from the author's personal collection. Sonnier has been involved with the blues all his life and brings to this work both professional expertise and an intimate knowledge and love of the music and its interpreters. Part I offers a history of the blues: The African Influence, The New World, Some Highly Musical Places, Blues Women, Hoodoo (Voodoo) and the Blues, and the Blues Influence. Each chapter is followed by a bibliography. Twelve tables and charts help to explain the musical history. Part II includes a biographical dictionary of 300 blues greats; most entries contain discographies. Appendices include a selected filmography, bibliography, and discography. There are many photos of the musicians. This work will be of interest to novices and aficionados alike. The market is public, high school, 2-year and 4-year academic institutions.