Going to Cincinnati: A History of the Blues in the Queen City (Great Cincinnati Bicentennial) [Hardcover]

Steven C. Tracy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

When one thinks of locales famous for the blues, Chicago, the Mississippi Delta, and maybe Texas come to mind. Cincinnati, while not possessing the distinctive sounds that make the aforementioned locations so immediately identifiable with a particular style, nonetheless has a history of individual performers and record labels that makes it a notable city for blues scholars. The river and the railroad brought many rural African American musicians to the city as far back as the early 1920s. Mass popularity did not arrive until the late 1940s and early 1950s, when Roy Brown and Wynonie Harris recorded their own brand of music for King Records--a sound that became known as rhythm and blues. King would later usher in soul music with the likes of Hank Ballard and Little Willie John. An interesting look at a little-known blues mecca; recommended where there is interest.
- Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 262 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252019997
• ISBN-13: 978-0252019999
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, especially so for those who live in the area, December 31, 2005

By 

Glenn Becker (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: GOING TO CINCINNATI: A HISTORY OF THE BLUES IN THE QUEEN CITY (Music in American Life) (Paperback)

I met Steven Tracy at a signing for this book in a Cincinnati bookstore. The man is as lively and entertaining as his book.

You might not immediately think of Cincinnati as a "blues region"; however, while it may not be a major one, it's useful to remember that Cincinnati is 1) a river town like many blues capitals and 2) is a real melting pot, a place where conservative and liberal, white and black, urban and Appalachian meet and sometimes even get along. I grew up there, for what it's worth.

Tracy's book tells many fascinating stories of blues artists you may never have heard of, and a few you may have (especially in the chapter on King Records). Many of these artists can be heard on a CD from Document Records, Rare Country Blues, volume 3 (this contains all the tracks from the LP Cincinnati Blues from Document).

I don't have a substantive reason for docking this a star ... it's just that the artists covered are for the most part interesting as opposed to essential, I guess. But your opinion may differ. And Tracy really does brings this little-known material to life. If you are a country blues fan and are looking to go beyond Robert Johnson, Son House and Blind Lemon Jefferson, this is an intriguing book to explore.