In Search of the Blues

Hamilton, Marybeth

ISBN 10: 0465028586 / ISBN 13: 9780465028580

Published by Basic Books, 2008

About this Item

Seller Inventory # WFBV.0465028586.G

Bibliographic Details

• Title: In Search of the Blues
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication Date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0465028586
• ISBN 13: 9780465028580
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: good

About this title

Synopsis

Leadbelly, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton-we are all familiar with the story of the Delta blues. Fierce, raw voices; tormented drifters; deals with the devil at the crossroads at midnight.

In this extraordinary reconstruction of the origins of the Delta blues, historian Marybeth Hamilton demonstrates that the story as we know it is largely a myth. The idea of something called Delta blues only emerged in the mid-twentieth century, the culmination of a longstanding white fascination with the exotic mysteries of black music.

Hamilton shows that the Delta blues was effectively invented by white pilgrims, seekers, and propagandists who headed deep into America’s south in search of an authentic black voice of rage and redemption. In their quest, and in the immense popularity of the music they championed, we confront America’s ongoing love affair with racial difference.

About the Author

Marybeth Hamilton teaches American history at Birkbeck College, University of London. She is the author of When I'm Bad, I'm Better: Mae West, Sex, and American Entertainment and the writer and presenter of documentary features for BBC radio. She lives in London, England.