Hill Country Blues – Discover the Hidden Gem Of An Authentic American Sound
Introduction
Hill Country Blues has roots that go back many decades. It includes many musical traditions and cultural influences. . This genre has developed through important milestones. Let’s explore them.
West African origins
The blues from North Mississippi hills began with a way of playing drums that African slaves brought to the US. After the Civil War, people started playing these types of music again. The rhythm still reflects those old traditions.
Recordings highlight individual artists
In 1959, Mississippi Fred McDowell became famous for playing as a solo artist. Musicologists Alan Lomax and Shirley Collins recorded one of his performances. This caught the music industry’s attention and encouraged a new generation of musicians in the genre. Artists like R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Robert Belfour, Sid Hemphill, and Napoleon Strickland added to Hill Country Blues with their unique talents. The genre had many gifted women, such as Rosa Lee Hill and Jessie Mae Hemphill. Both were related to Sid Hemphill.
Fat Possum Records
Fat Possum Records was started in Oxford, Mississippi in 1992. It helped save and spread Hill Country Blues. The label released music by esteemed artists such as R.L. Burnside, Furry Lewis, Mississippi Joe Callicott, Junior Kimbrough, Robert Belfour, and T-Model Ford. It also ventured beyond blues, signing indie rock artists like Andrew Bird, Wavves, and Soccer Mommy, further diversifying its roster..
A Living Genre
It still remains popular. A new generation of artists keeps it alive. Figures like Cedric Burnside (grandson of R.L. Burnside), Kenny Brown, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, and the North Mississippi Allstars ensure that the genre remains vibrant and relevant. Hill Country Blues has influenced many genres, even indie rock. The Black Keys released a 2021 record of Hill Country Blues covers called Delta Kream.
Five Characteristics of Hill Country Blues Music
Hill Country Blues possesses a distinct sound characterized by its unique musical elements. Let’s explore five key characteristics that define this genre:
- Grooving guitar riffs: The foundation of many songs lies in fingerpicked guitar grooves that can persist for extended periods. These mesmerizing riffs, some of which are played on slide guitar, create a captivating and hypnotic atmosphere.
- Strong percussive elements: The drumming comes from West African traditions. The music’s lively beat comes from its repeated patterns and unique style.
- Occasional use of fifes and drums: Occasionally incorporates the use of fifes and drums. This fusion of African polyrhythms and American military drumming traditions adds a unique texture to the music. In many cases, fife players constructed their own instruments using reeds from the Mississippi River, displaying the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the artists.
- A mixture of singing and talking: Leading Hill Country Blues artists, such as Mississippi Fred McDowell and R.L. Burnside, employ a conversational vocal style. They can sing powerfully, but they also talk when they sing. This brings out the story and feelings in the music..
- Open-ended song structures: Hill Country Blues doesn’t follow the traditional blues structures like Delta blues. Instead, it has a more open-ended approach to song structures. Musicians can play one chord for a long time, which lets them be creative and feel the emotions in the music.
Five Influential Hill Country Blues Artists
Numerous talented artists have shaped and defined the Hill Country Blues genre. Here are five influential figures who have left an indelible mark on this captivating style of music:
- Mississippi Fred McDowell: Mississippi Fred McDowell helped create Hill Country Blues through his early recordings. He showed off his skill with rhythms, long songs, and impressive guitar playing in the 1960s. McDowell’s notable albums include “You Gotta Move” and “Mama Says I’m Crazy.”
- R.L. Burnside: R.L. Burnside was a student of Mississippi Fred McDowell. He became famous on Fat Possum Records because people loved his music. He was good at playing guitar and singing, and this made him famous.
- Junior Kimbrough: Junior Kimbrough had a special singing voice that you can hear on “All Night Long” and “Sad Days, Lonely Nights.” His guitar playing had a long-lasting effect on the genre. It was unique because of the syncopated pattern he used between the strings. He played an open bottom string and the upper strings that were fretted.
- Jessie Mae Hemphill Jessie Mae Hemphill’s musical journey began with a 1967 field recording by George Mitchell, but her formal debut album, “She-Wolf,” was released in 1981 and only in France. Her American full-length debut, “Feelin’ Good,” earned critical acclaim and won the W.C. Handy Award for Best Acoustic Album in 1990.
- Othar Turner: While not a guitarist, Othar Turner made significant contributions as a fife player. He led the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band until his passing in 2003. Turner’s appearances on shows like “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” alongside Jessie Mae Hemphill and Abe Young helped introduce Hill Country Blues to a broader audience.
Conclusion
Hill Country Blues stands as a testament to the rich musical heritage of North Mississippi. The music’s captivating sound comes from West African traditions and talented musicians. It’s loved by people all over the world. To make it easier to understand this type of music, listen to famous musicians like Mississippi Fred McDowell and R.L. This will help you appreciate the genre better. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Jessie Mae Hemphill, and Othar Turner. Experience Hill Country Blues, a genre of blues music that has a distinct sound created by the guitar, percussion, and stories it tells.
FAQ’s
Q1: What is the history of Hill Country Blues?
The history traces back to the musical traditions brought by African slaves to the US, which were revived after the Civil War. The genre has evolved over time, incorporating various cultural influences and developing through significant milestones.
Q2: Who are some of the influential artists in Hill Country Blues?
Some of the influential artists include Mississippi Fred McDowell, who became famous for his solo performances in the 1960s, R.L. Burnside, a student of McDowell who gained fame on Fat Possum Records, and Junior Kimbrough, known for his unique guitar playing and singing voice.
Q3: How does Hill Country Blues differ from other blues genres?
Is characterized by its unique musical elements and structures. Unlike other blues genres that follow traditional structures, Hill Country Blues has a more open-ended approach to song structures. It is known for its captivating guitar riffs, strong percussive elements, and a mixture of singing and talking.
Q4: What role does the guitar play in Hill Country Blues?
The guitar plays a crucial role. Many songs in this genre are built on fingerpicked guitar grooves that persist for extended periods, creating a captivating and hypnotic atmosphere. The use of slide guitar also adds to the distinctive sound of Hill Country Blues.
Q5: How is Hill Country Blues relevant in today’s music scene?
The subgenre remains relevant in today’s music scene, with a new generation of artists keeping the genre alive. It has also influenced many other music genres, including indie rock. Artists like Cedric Burnside, Kenny Brown, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, and the North Mississippi Allstars continue to contribute to the genre’s vibrancy and relevance.
