Under the production of Bill Szymczyk, B.B. King updated his blues in both style and subject matter on his March 5, 1969, rendering of “Why I Sing the Blues.”  In the pulsating performance, propelled by [...]

Blind Lemon Jefferson recorded  “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean”  for Paramount in Chicago in 1928, following up an earlier version that was issued under a religious pseudonym, Deacon L.J. Bates, 1927’s “See That [...]

Blues empress Bessie Smith delivered one of her finest, most expressive performances on “Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out,” a classic hard times blues recorded for Columbia in New York on May 15, [...]

Sylvester Weaver was the Louisville musician who introduced the guitar to blues recording in 1923, first accompanying singer Sara Martin and then on his own solo sides, promoted with a flurry of fanfare about his [...]

“Don't Mess With Man,” Irma Thomas’ first record, hit the “Billboard” R&B charts in 1960 and not only established her but also provided plenty of women singers with a song to spice up their repertoire [...]