Here you will find references to videos about the history of the blues, from its roots in the southern states of America to its influences in British Blues.
Blues America
A BBC Four two-part series Blues America filmed in Mississippi, Chicago and New York as a special season of programming to celebrate the blues. The series retraces the history of the music genre from 1900 to 1945 and explores its place in American culture from the 20th Century and beyond.
The first programme, Woke Up This Morning charts the development of the blues from its roots in minstrel and medicine shows into a commercial industry. Contributors including Keith Richards, Taj Mahal and Chuck D.
The second programme Bright Lights, Big City includes insights from Bonnie Raitt, Seasick Steve and Buddy Guy. It recalls the genre’s movement from post-war Chicago, Detroit and Memphis to forge a style that would give birth to 1950s rock’n’roll.