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Blues on My Mind

Blues on My Mind

Julia B Simon

Discussion of blues music. Each episode analyzes one or two blues songs. Topics cover lyrics, musical structure, history and meaning of songs.
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Top 10 Blues on My Mind Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Blues on My Mind episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Blues on My Mind for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Blues on My Mind episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Blues on My Mind - Tab Benoit: Women and/as Cars
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11/01/19 • 22 min

What's the relationship between women and cars? What does Tab Benoit have in common with Robert Johnson? Explore these questions in Benoit's "Too Many Drivers at the Wheel."

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Blues on My Mind - Music Preserves Stage Doheny Blues Festival Interview
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08/01/19 • 29 min

Interview of Julia Simon about her book, Time in the Blues, on the Music Preserves Foundation Stage at the Doheny Blues Festival in May 2019. The interview covers sharecropping, Parchman Farm, convict labor and how they shape time in the blues.

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Explore the west coast harmonica sound of singer, songwriter, harmonica player, James Harman in his song "It's All Right Now."

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Blues on My Mind - Texas Blues: Lightnin' Hopkins' "Abilene"
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06/27/19 • 20 min

What does Texas style sound like? Where is Abilene? What does it represent? Explore these questions in Lightnin' Hopkins' "Abilene."

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Explore the lyric expressions and slang of Big Bill Broonzy's "I Feel So Good."  Although it appears joyful, there is a touch of tension underneath the happiness.

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How do people respond to abandonment?  Does gender matter in songs about abandonment?  Is someone's leaving always negative?  Explore these questions in Ma Rainey's "Memphis Bound Blues."

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Blues on My Mind - Blues as Anger in Muddy Waters's "Southbound Train"
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09/26/18 • 23 min

When do the blues signal anger and frustration more than sadness and hurt? How do anger and frustration get expressed in the blues? Explore these topics in Muddy Waters's "Southbound Train."
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What do blues and zydeco have in common? What does it sound like when a zydeco artist covers a blues song? Explore these and other questions with Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Roller's version of "Baby, Please Don't Go." 

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Blues on My Mind - Toronzo Cannon: "Bad Contract"
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02/14/20 • 18 min

What's new about the Chicago sound of Toronzo Cannon? What kind of a contract is he talking about? What does it have to do with the history of the blues? Explore these and other questions.

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Blues on My Mind - Natural Disaster: Bessie Smith's "Back Water Blues"
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03/30/20 • 20 min

What is stride piano? What does it sound like? What does James P. Johnson contribute to Bessie Smith's rendition of "Back Water Blues"?  Explore these and other questions.

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FAQ

What is the most popular episode on Blues on My Mind?

The episode title 'Blues as Inheritance: Kenny Neal's "Bloodline"' is the most popular.

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