Obit:Sam Charters, scholar of the blues 1929-2015

Subject: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: voyager
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 03:50 PM

NY Times obit for Sam Charters 'foundational scholar of the blues'

Sam Charters was a trailblazer for the blues and his influence on folk and blues artists is vast.

RIP
voyager

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 04:57 PM

folk music - the entire concept of the tradition - is almost unthinkable without this great man's contribution.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 05:02 PM

In the early 60s, I came across Sam's "Country Blues" book in my local library here in the UK.
It was the first time that I'd heard of Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon and Blind Willie Johnson.
I loved the book as it transported me to the dusty streets of 1920s Wortham, Texas...and beyond.

As I write this message, I can turn my heard, and see a copy of that same book on my bookshelf.

Thanks Sam.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: voyager
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 06:07 PM

The Sam and Ann Charters Collection and Vernacular African American Musical Culture is housed here at the Dodd Research Center (University of Connecticut)

Sam and Ann Charters Archives at University of Connecticut

Like 'Big Al' sez.....folk music, folk lore, blues lore....it's all here

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: BanjoRay
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 09:12 PM

Sam Charters opened my ears to country blues and changed my life. Thanks, Sam!

Ray

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 09:45 PM

I still have a tattered copy of Country Blues.Introducing Joseph Spence was such a great gift to the world but he did so much more.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 02:44 AM

His book "Country Blues" was the first that I ever read on the subject. If one book can change a person's life (in this case mine) then this was the one. Unlike some other writers on the blues, Charters wrote with the ear of a poet and, as Robert Frost said, "that made all the difference". His recordings from West Africa also opened up a new world for me and, again, I cannot thank him enough.

Subject: RE: Obit: Sam Charters - 'scholar of the blues'
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 11:30 AM

All of the above. I hadn't realized how many of his books (and his wife's Kerouac bio) I had read. If only for "The Country Blues" thank you , Sir. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit:Sam Charters, scholar of the blues(1929-2015)
From: GUEST,bernieandred
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 04:44 PM

As everyone else has said ..... my life was also changed after reading The Country Blues. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit:Sam Charters, scholar of the blues(1929-2015)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 05:10 PM

A great loss. I think I've read everything Mr Charters has written, an d learned so much from it. R.I.P Mr Charters, your work is your legacy.

Subject: RE: Obit:Sam Charters, scholar of the blues 1929-2015
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 30 Mar 15 - 11:47 AM

Another sad loss. That session in the sky must be getting pretty high-powered by now. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. My thoughts are with his friends and family.

RIP

Peter