Blind Lemon Jefferson

Most of us first experience blues music as a recording. It's fitting, then, that we should start thinking about the blues in terms of not only the artists, but the record companies and the recordings themselves.

The "Classic" Period

The very first blues recording was the "Crazy Blues," released on the Okeh record label in 1921. This song, written by Perry Bradford and sung by Mamie Smith, contains the couplet: "I'm gonna do like a Chinaman Go and get some hop Get myself a gun and shoot myself a cop."

This recording struck a chord in the collective consciousness of African Americans and it sold an astronomical number of copies. Its success heralded in the "Classic" period of blues which spanned the years 1923 to 1926.

The blues recordings of this period were performed exclusively by women, usually backed by small ensembles which would include a chording instrument: piano, a banjo or guitar, and a few horns or a violin.

The unexpected success of the Crazy Blues was not lost on the other record companies. Emerson, Pathe, Perfect and Star all issued blues recording in the same year. In January 1922 Metronome declared that "Every phonograph company has a colored girl recording blues." Talking Machine World of 13th October 1920 bore an advertisement for Mamie Smith, now an exclusive Okeh artist, describing her as a "Singer of 'Blues'- the music of so new a flavor."

The search for the perfect blues chanteuse ended with the discovery of the incredible Bessie Smith by Columbia in 1923. Perhaps it was Smith's cornering of the "Classic" market that gave Paramount the idea to try something different.

End of the "Classic" period - Beginning of the Country Blues

In 1924, Paramount issued the first blues recording by a man. "Papa" Charlie Jackson was a singer / banjoist whose "Papa's Lawdy Lawdy Blues" b/w "Airy Man Blues" sold well and they continued to record and distribute his records until 1930. In the meantime, Paramount began to look for other male artists.

They found Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Everything about Lemon Jefferson's music paints the picture of a restless, brilliant mind. His artistry, while setting the standard for all who followed, was virtually impossible to copy. Jefferson's interpretation of the 12-bar structure is unusual. By accenting the beat at odd places or floating the time and playing behind or ahead of the beat, he is able to he is somehow able to weave two musically incongruous lines together into a seamless vehicle for his high clear voice. It is a sound unimaginable to one who has not heard it.

The 鼎lassic� Period

The very first blues recording was the 鼎razy Blues�, released on the Okeh record label in 1921. This song, written by Perry Bradford and sung by Mamie Smith, contains the couplet: I知 gonna do like a Chinaman Go and get some hop Get myself a gun and shoot myself a cop

This recording struck a chord in the collective consciousness of African Americans and it sold an astronomical number of copies. Its success heralded in the 鼎lassic� period of blues which spanned the years 1923 to 1926.

The blues recordings of this period were performed exclusively by women, usually backed by small ensembles which would include a chording instrument: piano, a banjo or guitar, and a few horns or a violin.

The unexpected success of the Crazy Blues was not lost on the other record companies. Emerson, Pathe, Perfect and Star all issued blues recording in the same year. In January 1922 Metronome declared that 兎very phonograph company has a colored girl recording blues.� Talking Machine World of 13th October 1920 bore an advertisement for Mamie Smith, now an exclusive Okeh artist, describing her as a 都inger of 釘lues�- the music of so new a flavor�

The search for the perfect blues chanteuse ended with the discovery of the incredible Bessie Smith by Columbia in 1923. Perhaps it was Smith痴 cornering of the 鼎lassic� market that gave Paramount the idea to try something different.

End of the 鼎lassic� period � Beginning of the Country Blues

In 1924, Paramount issued the first blues recording by a man. 撤apa� Charlie Jackson was a singer / banjoist whose 撤apa痴 Lawdy Lawdy Blues b/w 鄭iry Man Blues� sold well and they continued to record and distribute his records until 1930. In the meantime, Paramount began to look for other male artists.

They found Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Everything about lemon Jefferson痴 music paints the picture of a restless, brilliant mind. His artistry, while setting the standard for all who followed, was virtually impossible to copy. Jefferson痴 interpretation of the 12-bar structure is unusual. By accenting the beat at odd places or floating the time and playing behind or ahead of the beat, he is able to he is somehow able to weave two musically incongruous lines together into a seamless vehicle for his high clear voice. It is a sound unimaginable to one who has not heard it.

Posted by Paul at January 20, 2005 3:34 AM