Rhythm, the Blues and the African American Experience
Musical Resources for Black History Month
Welcome
The following resources were collected as part of a course I teach: "Rhythm and The Blues," It is a college course offered at Stockton University that combines the History of African American Music and the History of Civil Rights.
A bit about the title: Rhythm and the blues. While it does indeed apply to Blues and Rhythm and Blues it is not restricted to those categories. For the purposes of this site, it simply refers to all music rooted in an African rhythmic approach and combined with soul and reflection of the environment it was created in. This includes Blues, Jazz, Rock, Sou,l Funk, Hip Hop, and many other sub-genres. For example: Rhythm could be a hip hop beat, the Blues could be the MC rapping about the hardships of life in the South Bronx in the late 70s and 80s. It could also mea a jazz rhythm section with a sax or trumpet testifying life experience instrumentally.
On This site, I share some of my favorite musical examples that tie directly into historical events and paint musical pictures that document this history. I share these resources for teachers of Social Sciences, Music OR anybody interested in this history.
Music, Language Arts and Social Studies teachers can use these examples to build lessons, start projects, as discussion prompts, writing prompts, or just for enjoyment.
I also invite visitors to share any additional resources they would like to include by clicking here.
Thank you and Enjoy!
Let's Start Here
Since American Music is based largely on African traditions, I thought this video would be a great place to start our resources. This clip shows how the music in Africa is woven into everyday routines and ceremonies. This concept becomes obvious in early examples of work songs on the American Continent, which are covered in the first section of this site.
Overview of the Pages and Styles
Go back to the origins to music and traditions from West Africa and how the nuances of this music blended with European traditions on the American continent to form the foundations of Ragtime, Blues and Jazz.
It is nearly impossible to discuss the evolution of American Music without including "The Great Migration." Here you will find music who's lyrics are about the Migration as well as some musical styles that evolved in key cities like Chicago and Kansas City as a result of this historical phenomenon.
Do-Wop music was seen as a more "urban" departure from the Blues, a coming of age as a result of the Great Migration. Soul music was a further assertion of African American pride. It borrowed heavily from Gospel Music and was a big step toward the less congenial and less apologetic style of Do-wop.
Funk represented a giant step away from the mainstream with a huge return to incorporating raw elements of African music as part of the style. It mirrored the Civil Rights movement from the late 60's through the 70's. Hip-Hop took this idea even further.
Resources and Links
Books
One of the most concise, well written and entertaining books on the topic.
This digs deeply into the Mississippi Delta, Sharecropping and the Great Migration.
Brian Ward - Just My Soul Responding: Rhythm and Blues, Black Consciousness, and Race Relations
A book that outlines, in great detail, the social and political relationships between Do-wop, Soul, R&B and Funk. This is as much a history book as it is a music book.
Rickey Vincent - Funk: The Music, The People, and The Rhythm of The One
Rickey Vincent is considered to be one of the top authorities on Funk music. He outlines his knowledge here. There are numerous historical and social connections as well. This is great for relating the music to any post 50's Civil Rights topics. Plus, you get an in-depth explanation of "The Mothership."
Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield Todd Mayfield and Travis Atria
Curtis Mayfield's son lovingly and honestly relays the life of his father and includes all of the relevant historical and social events that relate to his father's music.
Documentaries
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story
Beautiful documentary on the Stax sound with great footage of performances from the top Stax artists like Ottis Redding, Sam & Dave and isaac Hayes. This emphasizes the integration that took place at this Memphis based label in Memphis when the rest of the South was still segregated.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Nice glimpse into Motown Records, Detroit and the rhythm section that played on all of these records. Made by Stockton University professor Alan Slutzky
Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built
Atlantic records was a New York based indie label that released some of the greatest Jazz, Soul and R&B music. Follow the careers of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin in this one.
The Night James Brown Saved Boston
Following Dr. Martin Luther Kings Death, there were a number of riots in many American cities. James brown was scheduled to play Boston that night. The original plan was to cancel the concert however, James had a better idea. "Let me do my concert from 'The Boston Garden' and put it on the local PBS affiliate. My fans will stay home to watch me." The plan was executed and Boston had no riots that night. This video not only chronicles this event but also covers all of the surrounding culture that was part of it including great insight into the final days of Dr. King.
Wattstax took place in 1972. It was a benefit concert organized by Stax Records in order to sustain awareness of the climate that created the 1965 riots in the Watts district of Los Angeles. This film documents the whole thing.
This documents the three-night Zaire ’74 music festival that coincide with the historical “Rumble in the Jungle” between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
PBS documentary on Sharecropping and Peonage
The Two Killings of Sam Cooke (Netflix)
While focusing on the controversial death of Sam Cooke, this doc chronicles key points and figures of the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s
Hip-Hop Evolution (Netflix)
In depth multi-part series on all aspects of Hip-Hop