Country of origin: USA

Description: A type of folk song from the Southern United States. It was developed by black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century. It has a passionate feel, with elements of melancholy and pain, and a repeated use of blue notes.

Blues originally developed in the American South (Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee). This original form of blues is known as Delta blues. The name comes from the Mississippi River Delta region.

Blues music gradually migrated north, up the Mississippi River, to cities like Memphis and eventually to Chicago.

In Chicago, blues music exploded and evolved into electric forms, reaching international notoriety in the 1950s and 60s. The blues lounges in the heart of the South and West sides of Chicago created venues for new and old talent. Legendary Blues labels Alligator Records and Earwig Records were started in Chicago, as well as the influential Living Blues magazine.

Delta, Piedmont blues, Chicago blues.

• The Blues Foundation

• The Definitive Charley Patton: 70th Anniversary Edition
• The Definitive Leadbelly: 60th Anniversary Edition
• The Roots of Led Zeppelin
• The Anthology: 1947-1972 - Muddy Waters
• The Chess Box: Muddy Waters
• John Lee Hooker: The Ultimate Collection 1948-1990
• Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton - John Mayall
• Blues Summit - BB King

Other World Music Genres