Sources for Classroom Materials

The following materials are suggested to support classroom activities related to a Blues or Rock & Roll performance and/or workshop.

Books

• Nothing But The Blues/The Music and Musicians by Lawrence Cohn
• The Rhythm and Blues Story by Gene Bussnar (Julian Messer)
• The Land Where Blues Began by Alan Lomax (Pantheon Books)
• Deep Blues by Robert Palmer (Penguin Books)
• Black Music in America by James Haskins
• Down Home Blues Lyrics edited by Jeff Todd Titon
• White Boy Singin' the Blues: The Black Roots of White Rock by Michael Bane (DaCapo Press)

Numerous books are available from DaCapo Press, (800)321-0050.

Audio Recordings

• Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings (Columbia)
• Blues Masters,15 chronological CD's (Rhino)
• The Rural Blues: A Study of the Vocal and Instrumental Sources (RBF Records)
• Bessie Smith: The Empress of the Blues (Columbia)
• Eric Clapton: Unplugged (Reprise)
• Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Collection

The list of Blues recordings is endless. Any examples by Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, KoKo Taylor, and Charles Brown among others are useful in introducing this music. Numerous selections are available in catalogues from: Rhino, Hyena Records or Shanachie Records.

Video

• The Ladies Sing the Blues (V.I.E.W. Video)
• Eric Clapton: The Unplugged Concert
• Messin' With the Blues
• The Blues According to Lightnin' Hopkins
• Blues Masters/The Essential History of the Blues (Rhino Records)
• Out of the Blacks, Into the Blues (Shanachie Home Video)

On-Line

There are many websites offering information; start here Jazz at about.com for a good place to begin.