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"If you read only one book about blues...read this one."--Starred Booklist on Escaping the Delta
Product Description
A close-up look at the life and music of Robert Johnson and his contributions to the evolution of blues music describes his obscurity during his own life, his innovative influence on American popular music, and how the history of blues music was shaped and transformed by white fans with different tastes and standards, in a biography complemented by
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First Sentence
THERE HAS PROBABLY BEEN MORE ROMANTIC FOOLISHNESS written about blues in general, and Robert Johnson in particular, than about any other genre or performer of the twentieth century. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
THERE HAS PROBABLY BEEN MORE ROMANTIC FOOLISHNESS written about blues in general, and Robert Johnson in particular, than about any other genre or performer of the twentieth century. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book looked interesting to me. It turned out to be compelling.
Like many others, I have always thought of the blues as a traditional, black musical style rooted in rural poverty, slavery, violence and dark bargains with the devil.
Escaping the Delta gently debunks these myths, and replaces them with an explanation that is both more interesting and more convincing. The book is intelligently structured, with an introductory section, a song-by-song treatment of Johnson's recordings (listen as you read!) and a rather understated wrap-up.
This is not a biography, and it leaves much of Johnson's life, relationships and death untouched. But Wald's point is that Johnson has been hijacked and turned into a modern phenomenon that would be unrecognizable to him and his peers, so he rightly focuses on the legend rather than the life.
If you are new to the blues, buy a copy of Escaping the Delta and a CD of the complete recordings of Robert Johnson, settle down with your favourite beverage and enjoy this book. If you are already into the blues, do all of the above, dig deeper into your record collection....and be ready for some surprises.
I have nothing but praise for this book, which is immaculately researched, fresh in its thinking, and always entertaining. I recommend it unreservedly.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The American reviews inside the cover make it clear that this caused quite a stir in the States. This is a terrific book - and one which, for once, challenges the blues fan a little, rather than providing familiar stereotypes of lonesome Delta bluesmen developing their genius in rural isolation. For anyone who loves Robert Johnson, Son House, Skip James et al, this will be a treat - but a treat which will possibly change the way you regard their music. (It even comes with a CD!)
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Chuck away your romantic notions (if you had any). The blues wasn't the heart-aching voice of the opressed, but the down-home pop music of its time. The 'names' were professionally slick, and lived a good(-ish) life.
One could probably quibble with some of the interpretations of the music's history, but this is fascinating and valuable re-consideration of the story of the blues as we thought we knew it.
It's a shame in a way, because I always rather liked the more traditional take, but it's probably about time I grew up anyway.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Blues lovers
This is an interesting and well written book for anyone who loves and is interested in Robert Johnson and the blues generally.
Published 13 months ago by Mr. J. W. Cox
Debunking the Myths About the Blues
If you love the blues and haven't read this book, then you should read it right away. If you're already familiar with the myths about the blues propagated by the likes of Lomax and... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. P. Sturdee
Very good, but...
I would concur with many of the reviews that have went before. This is a well-researched book written in an accessible way. Read more
Published 22 months ago by hunger
A novel take on a legend of the Blues
For a lifelong Blues fan, and lover of the of the Delta Blues, this book was a revelation and helped me to re-evaluate my opinion not only of Robert Johnson but also of many other... Read more
Published on 29 May 2010 by J. Ratcliff
Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the invention of the blues
A really great book, which has certainly changed by view of the origins of the Blues, and who were the famous originators of this great music. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2009 by G. Wraith
an alternative but laborious take on the blues
A great concept for a book - take a subject which we all take for granted and turn it on its head then support it by a myriad soundbites and anecdotes. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2006 by bigflat
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