Blues on My Mind

What draws men to young women? Why are these relationships frustrating? Are the blues full of misogyny?  Explore these questions in Muddy Waters's "She's Nineteen Years Old."

Why don't blues songs talk about guilt or shame or regret? Why does Robert Cray address these emotions that most blues songs avoid?  Explore themes of the modern blues.

What do you get when you combine blues, R&B, honky-tony country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly?  Fantastic blues out of Washington, DC with The Nighthhawks.

Why is there talk in some blues songs? Where does this tradition come from? Explore these questions in the urban blues of The Mannish Boys' "Call My Job."

What are the different ways that controlled emotion can be expressed? What's more effective for expressing emotions, screaming or speaking calmly? What about the instruments?  Explore these and other question in Muddy Waters's "Nine Below Zero/"

How do you modernize the Delta blues? What are the innovations that can keep the blues alive?  Explore these questions in Keb' Mo's "Perpetual Blues Machine."

What's the relationship between women and cars? What does Tab Benoit have in common with Robert Johnson? Explore these questions in Benoit's "Too Many Drivers at the Wheel."

Where is Avalon, MS? Why does Mississippi John Hurt prefer it to New York? How was he "rediscovered" in 1963 after recording in 1928? Explore these and other questions in this episode of the podcast.

What do the Chicago blues sound like today? How do you put a new twist on an old classic? Discuss these issues in The Cash Box Kings's performance of Muddy Waters's "Country Boy."

Who are the musicians that continued the Chicago sound after Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James and all the other greats? Do they retain that same sound? What do they sing about? Explore these questions in Aron Burton's "Garbage Man."