Hi Richie

Good question -- I'll follow this thread with interest.

I wonder if you or someone else with some expertise wouldn't mind defining what is to be considered "blues." I don't mean to start a debate about how to define blues, I mean just for the purpose of this particular historical investigation. Is it a style of singing, or a verse form, or chord progression or a labeled category or lyrical content, or what?

When is it generally (or when do you) consider Blues to exist as a fairly distinct genre from other stuff from which it came. Please forgive me and, if necessary, ignore me if the question is just to hackneyed to require response. However, it would help me to understand and "fit" the references you have made to as far back as 1880.

I for one would be interested in some more historical context of the songs you are naming, for example who WC Handy was writing and performing for in 1880 and how "Careless Love" was appreciably different from styles of music that preceded it. Thanks

Gibb