The Poetry of The Blues

Samuel Charters

• Publisher: Bonhopai Books
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781779792761
• Topic: Medios de comunicación y artes escénicas
• Subtopic: Música clásica

The Poetry of the Blues is Samuel Charters' groundbreaking exploration of the blues as a literary and cultural form, revealing the depth, beauty, and complexity of a musical tradition rooted in African American experience. First published in the mid-20th century, the book treats blues lyrics not merely as accompaniments to music but as a form of oral poetry—expressions of love, loss, humor, endurance, and social commentary.

Charters draws on years of field research, listening to and transcribing performances from rural juke joints, city clubs, and archival recordings. He examines recurring themes—broken relationships, wanderlust, economic hardship, and resilience—and shows how they connect to the larger African American oral tradition. The book situates the blues within its historical context, tracing its evolution from work songs and spirituals to the urban blues styles that shaped American popular music.

With a blend of scholarly insight and deep personal appreciation, Charters illuminates the artistry of legendary performers such as Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Robert Johnson. His work is as much a celebration as it is an analysis, offering readers a way to hear the blues not just with their ears, but with an understanding of the cultural and emotional truths it carries. The Poetry of the Blues remains an essential resource for anyone interested in music, folklore, or African American cultural history.

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• DEDICATION
• INTRODUCTION
• A NOTE ON SOURCES
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.
• 4.
• 5.
• 6.
• 7.
• 8.
• A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY