Gospel blues

Gospel blues
Gospel blues
Stylistic origins	Spirituals; blues; hymns;
Cultural origins	Late 19th century, African Americans

Gospel blues (or holy blues^[1]) is a form of blues-based gospel music that has been around since the inception of blues music. It combines evangelistic lyrics with blues instrumentation, often blues guitar accompaniment.^[1]

According to musician and historian Stefan Grossman, "holy blues" was coined to originally describe Reverend Gary Davis's style of traditional blues playing with lyrics conveying a religious message.^[2] Davis and Blind Willie Johnson are considered the genre's two dominant performers, according to Dick Weissman.^[1] Other notable gospel-blues performers include Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Washington Phillips.

Blues musicians who became devout, or even practicing clergy, include Reverend Robert Wilkins and Ishman Bracey.^[3] Bluesmen such as Boyd Rivers, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, Sam Collins, Josh White, Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Willie Mctell, Bukka White, Sleepy John Estes and Skip James also recorded gospel and religious songs, although these were sometimes released under a pseudonym.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Weissman, Dick; Weissman, Richard (2005). Blues: The Basics. Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 9780415970686.
^ Grossman, Stefan (1974). Rev. Gary Davis Blues Guitar. Oak Publications. p. 108. ISBN 9781783234592.
^ Wardlow, G., and Komara, E. M. (1998). Chasin' That Devil Music: Searching for the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. pp. 43, 45. ISBN 0-87930-552-5.

External links

The Gospel Blues Society

[blues-1] Weissman, Dick; Weissman, Richard (2005). Blues: The Basics. Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 9780415970686.

[2] Grossman, Stefan (1974). Rev. Gary Davis Blues Guitar. Oak Publications. p. 108. ISBN 9781783234592.

[3] Wardlow, G., and Komara, E. M. (1998). Chasin' That Devil Music: Searching for the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. pp. 43, 45. ISBN 0-87930-552-5.

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v t e Blues
Musical form	Blue note Blues ballad Blues scale Call and response Eight-bar blues Musical improvisation Shuffles Traditional blues verses Twelve-bar blues Walking bass
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Fusion genres	Rhythm and blues Blues rock Biker metal Boogie rock Punk Southern rock Gospel Jump Soul
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See also

References

External links