Blues and gospel

Subject: Blues and gospel
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:57 AM

These days I am reminded of how closely blues and gospel are linked. Especially the older black gospel. I'm getting quite a bit of initial interest in our Gospel Messengers CD from blues people in Europe... first Poland, and now the UK. They want to give air time to the CD, and do magazine reviews. But, this thread is not about our CD... it's just a reflection on the common roots of blues and black gospel. Most blues guitarists did at least some gospel and many black gospel singers did some blues. My friend Frankie described the difference once by saying Saturday night you dancedto the blues and wagged your tail feathers, and Sunday you danced to gospel in church and jumped up and down. I liked that definition.. the primary difference between blues and gospel lays in the hips. :-)
When I learned finger-picked blues guitar from Dave Van Ronk, it never occurred to me that I'd use it to drive black gospel. I can think of many blues guitarists who also did gospel... even B.B. King.

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this subject..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Blues and gospel
From: Janie
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 12:23 PM

I sort of see them as two sides of the same coin. They both arose out of the the experience of the African enslaved in the Americas, and address pain, loss, anger and hope. Your blues guitar style works wonderfully with the selection of songs you guys put on the CD.

I would guess the gospel singing came first and the blues 2nd--but a lot of black gospel is very bluesy IMO. --And if you listen to the music and songs of west Africa, the voices--the roots of both are unmistakable. Seems like many, if not most, blues songs are basically call and response, with the singer doing both the call and the answer.

Janie

Subject: RE: Blues and gospel
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 01:30 PM

My thoughts are that it would be a good idea to look at these existing threads, which are included in the links in the Spirituals permathread:

Did the blues spring from spirituals?

CLICK HERE for Blues Related to Spirituals.

CLICK HERE for Gary Davis Songs.

CLICK HERE for Your Favorite Gospel Blues.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Blues and gospel
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 02:20 PM

Thanks for the links, Susan.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Blues and gospel
From: Kaleea
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 02:25 PM

It's ever amazing to me how American Music evolved through peoples from all over the world who found themselves in America (& some were already here), combining their deepest emotions into Music which wove itself into one great tree. I believe that is why the various branches of this musical tree are loved by peoples all the world over.

Subject: RE: Blues and gospel
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 02:50 PM

I share your feelings, Kaleea. When my wife and I were in Europe last fall traveling on a tour bus, as we visited each country they played music from the area. It was a wonderful way to travel, and it really struck home that all of the music sounded familiar to me because I heard it all of my life living in America.

Jerry