What are Some Books on the History of Chicago Blues?


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“Chicago Blues: Portraits and Stories” “Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude ‘Ma Rainey Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday”, “Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters”, “Urban Blues”. “Sweet Home Chicago: The Real City of the Blues”, “The Blues Come to Chicago” “I Geel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy”, The World Don’t Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Houneyboy Edwards”, Chicago Blues” The City and the Music”, and “Exploring Chicago Blues: Inside the Scene Past and Present” are all books on the history of Chicago Blues.

You can order this book from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3T8XU2K

“Chicago Blues: Portraits and Stories” by David White is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: This book presents intimate portraits of legendary Chicago blues musicians, combining personal stories with historical insights.

It’s filled with interviews and anecdotes offering a lively and personal look at the Chicago blues scene

You can order this book from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3TCFPdn

“Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Billie Holiday” by Angela Y. Davis is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: Angela Davis explores the careers of these three legendary singers and their impact on the blues and jazz genres.

The book focuses on how their work reflected and influenced the social and political struggles of African American women.

You can order this book from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3TCsxxw

“Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Time of Muddy Waters” by Robert Gordon is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: This is a comprehensive biography of Muddy Waters, a towering figure in Chicago blues.

It details his journey from Mississippi to Chicago, his influence on the electric blues style, and his impact on rock n’ roll.

You can order this book from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4cjhzV5

“Urban Blues” by Charles Keil is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: Keil examines how the blues evolved as African Americans migrated from the rural South to urban centers. especially Chicago.

The book is an academic, yet accessible study of the transformation and the urbanization of the blues.

You can order this book from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4abS6uX

“Sweet Home Chicago: The Real City of the Blues” by Mark Hertsgaard is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content; This book explores the intertwining of Chicago’s history with the development of the blues.

It looks at various artists and how the city’s cultural and industrial landscape shaped the music.

This book does not appear to be available on Amazon at this time.

“The Blues Come to Chicago” by Paul Garon and Beth Garon: is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: Focusing on the post-WWII Chicago blues scene. this book discusses how the Great Migration influenced the genre.

It offers insights into the lives and music of several key artists during this era.

This book does not appear to be available at this time.

“I Feel So Good: The Life and Times of Big Bill Broonzy” by Bob Riesman is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: This biography of Big Bill Broonsy, a major figure in the early Chicago blues scene, covers his influential career and contributions to the genre.

It offers a detailed look at his life, music, and legacy.

You can buy this book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3IAxIrL

“The World Don’t Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards” by David Honeyboy Edwards is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: An autobiography of Honeyboy Edwards, this book gives a personal account of his life as a Delta bluesman and his experiences in the Chicago blues scene., offering an authentic perspective on the evolution of blues music. –

can buy this book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/43h7zaV

“Chicago Blues: The City and the Music” by Mike Rowe is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

Content: Mike Rowe’s book provides an in-depth history of Chicago blues, covering its African American origins and its rise to global prominence.

It includes profiles of many prominent artists and analyses of influential recordings.

You can buy this book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4aasrmi

“Exploring Chicago Blues: Inside the Scene, Past and Present” by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates is a Book on the History of Chicago Blues.

You can buy this book on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3x3Dhw2

Content: This book blends a historical overview with a guide to significant Chicago blues locations.

It’s perfect for readers interested in both the history and the current state of the blues scene in Chicago

Conclusion

Each book offers a unique lens on the Chicago blues, from, detailed biographies to broader cultural analyses, providing a well-rounded understanding of its influential music genre.

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