This book is the first rigourous and detailed exploration of exactly how blues singers used formulas to create songs, and it more than amply fills the gap in the the study of the blues, where the structure and content of the lyrics have been less fully explored than the musical form.

Focusing on the songs recorded by African-American singers for pre-World War Two commercial recording companies, this is an excellent structural analysis of the formulaic composistion of blues lyrics.

This book gives a step-by-step description of the rules implicit in this formulaic structure and inspires new discussion of lyric structures.

A wide array of readers will find this insightful and informative: from students of African-American music, cultural studies, history and linguistics, to Blues fans fascinated by exactly how the lyrics of this influential music style are written.

This book is the first rigourous and detailed exploration of exactly how blues singers used formulas to create songs, and it more than amply fills the gap in the the study of the blues, where the structure and content of the lyrics have been less fully explored than the musical form.

Focusing on the songs recorded by African-American singers for pre-World War Two commercial recording companies, this is an excellent structural analysis of the formulaic composistion of blues lyrics.

This book gives a step-by-step description of the rules implicit in this formulaic structure and inspires new discussion of lyric structures.

A wide array of readers will find this insightful and informative: from students of African-American music, cultural studies, history and linguistics, to Blues fans fascinated by exactly how the lyrics of this influential music style are written.

This book is the first rigourous and detailed exploration of exactly how blues singers used formulas to create songs, and it more than amply fills the gap in the the study of the blues, where the structure and content of the lyrics have been less fully explored than the musical form. Focusing on the songs recorded by African-American singers for pre-World War Two commercial recording companies, this is an excellent structural analysis of the formulaic composistion of blues lyrics. This book gives a step-by-step description of the rules implicit in this formulaic structure and inspires new discussion of lyric structures. A wide array of readers will find this insightful and informative: from students of African-American music, cultural studies, history and linguistics, to Blues fans fascinated by exactly how the lyrics of this influential music style are written.

Talkin' to Myself, Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942 is a compendium of lyrics by the great blues recording artists of the classic blues era. It includes over 2000 songs, transcribed directly from the original recordings, making it by far the most comprehensive and accurate collection of blues lyrics available. Blues lyrics are recognized as a unique form of African-American poetry. They reflect myriad issues, well beyond the cliches of love gone wrong. The blues was a means of communicating a wide range of feelings on topics as varied as love, illness, politics, work and employment, recreation - the entire range of the African-American experience. Artists covered include many major blues performers, as well as the obscure. Some of the better known names include Kokomo Arnold, Blind Willie McTell, Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Lead Belly, Son House, Skip James, Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and dozens more. Today, the blues is enjoying a period of popularity and study that is unparalleled in their century-plus tradition. Talkin' to Myself. African-American culture, and folk poetry - as well as the myriad blues fans around the globe. It will stand as the standard collection for decades to come.

Talkin' to Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942 is a compendium of lyrics by the great blues recording artists of the classic blues era. It includes over 2000 songs, transcribed directly from the original recordings, making it by far the most comprehensive and accurate collection of blues lyrics available. Blues lyrics are recognized as a unique form of African-American poetry. They reflect myriad issues, well beyond the cliches of love gone wrong. The blues was a means of communicating a wide range of feelings on topics as varied as love, illness, politics, work and employment, recreation--the entire range of the African-American experience. Artists covered include many major blues performers, as well as the obscure. Some of the better known names include Kokomo Arnold; Blind Willie McTell; Robert Johnson; Charlie Patton; Lead Belly; Son House; Skip James; Blind Blake; Blind Lemon Jefferson; and dozens more. Today, the blues is enjoying a period of popularity and study that is unparalleled in their century-plus tradition. Talkin' to Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921-1942 will appeal to students of American music, African-American culture, and folk poetry--as well as the myriad blues fans around the globe. It will stand as the standard collection for decades to come.