Blues on My Mind

What characterizes the style of the West Side of Chicago? What distinguishes West Side and South Side styles? Explore these and other questions in Otis Rush's "I Can't Quit You Baby."

What is Parchman Farm? How did the state of Mississippi get into the business of sharecropping? Explore these questions in Bukka White's "Parchman Farm Blues."

What does Memphis blues sound like? What is signifying? Explore these and other questions in Albert King's "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong."

What distinguishes the sound of the South side of Chicago? How does Koko Taylor embody that sound? What is she asking, really, about this man? Explore these and other questions.

What happens when you combine soul singing with blues artistry? How does a soul singer interpret the blues?  Explore these questions and the meaning of B. B. King and Gladys Knight's cover of "Please Send Me Someone to Love."

What are the elements that make-up Piedmont Style blues? Explore the mastery of Blind Blake's performance style in "Georgia Bound."

Where is the Piedmont? What distinguishes this style of blues? Explore these questions in 
Blind Boy Fuller's "Cat Man Blues."

Explore the cool west coast sound of Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers do "Talk to Your Daughter."

Interview of Julia Simon about her book, Time in the Blues, on the Music Preserves Foundation Stage at the Doheny Blues Festival in May 2019. The interview covers sharecropping, Parchman Farm, convict labor and how they shape time in the blues.

Explore the west coast harmonica sound of singer, songwriter, harmonica player, James Harman in his song "It's All Right Now."