Customer Reviews

Beale Street and Other Classic Blues

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No matter if you thought the wonderful artists of the 1920s like Bessie Smith and Robert Johnson exemplified early blues; they actually refined it into a passionate form of musical art. The Blues in this collection constitute the earliest published blues songs and instrumentals, and will offer many clues into the difficulties both writers and publishers had of settling into the common 12 bar form. Plenty of W.C. Handy as well, who while he did not exactly write the melodies in most of his pieces, he certainly knew how to assemble and promote them. One notable omission is Baby Seal's Blues, which for many years was considered the first publication of blues with 'Blues' in the title, or the mention of Oh You Beautiful Doll, in which the verse is also an early blues. Aside from that, just playing through this collection is an instant education that will leave you well versed in the form - and many of the pieces are available for a listen on my web site (better enhanced with book in hand).

This is an excellent set of classical Blues sheet music. The tunes by W.C Handy are especially welcome, e.g. The St Louis Blues. The printing is clear, although some of the sheet music is somewhat small, but still very readable. All in all, a very good collection for the price.