[Harp-L] Evolving Blues (Long) (No, Very long)



My 2 cents.

I would disagree with the premise that the Blues is
evolving simply because it is music. There are many
music forms that have remained static.
However, the Blues IS evolving, just not along a fluid
path.
The problem lies, I think, in the cyclic popularity of
the genre, there is no continuous line. At least not
in popular consciousness. In the lean times there were
fewer players and the diminished fan base seemed more
interested in hearing what they knew. This seems to
have solidified what many people consider the Blues to
be. Even when Blues is enjoying a renewed popularity,
people tend to gravitate to musicians who do not push
the boundaries too far. To be fair, this is somewhat
true of all genres.
That said, there are innovators out there, there
always have been. They do not always get the
recognition or audience.
Evolution is a difficult matter, regardless.
For instance, Rap can be traced back fairly easily and
with solid connections to the Blues. Rap is not,
however, still the Blues. Once the connection can no
longer be heard, it is now something different, no
matter the path that took it there.
There will ever be arguments as to what constitutes
any given subject.
There should always be room for those who play
"traditional" styles and those who take a different
path.

Chris

BTW speculation can be fun. We need not take ourselves
too seriously.


		
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