Topic: need help with a genre description

[arlotone]

Hi folks,

One of my bands is becoming focused on the more pop-oriented blues of Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, and Washboard Sam, which blues musicians would probably refer to as the Bluebird sound. I'm trying to figure out how I would label the band for a more general audience.

Although they were in Chicago and the music is fairly urban-sounding, I wouldn't call it "Chicago blues" -- that brings to mind distorted amplification. These guys had maybe a clean electric guitar but most often a resonator and other acoustic instruments. But I wouldn't call it country blues, either.

I could say "pre-war blues" which is vague enough to cover everything ... although technically we do some post-war music, too. Or "acoustic blues" which is even more vague but at least gets away from the Muddy Waters image. Maybe hokum, which covers the early Tampa Red stuff, but not the later songs. Lately I've just been saying it's a "blues band" and leaving it at that.

I assume that to a -really- general audience, none of these terms means anything, but I'd like to come up with a descriptor that would at least give a general idea to someone who knows something about roots music.

Any thoughts?

-Arlo

[Stumblin]

How about "Early Chicago Blues?"

[natterjack]

Urban acoustic blues?

[Mr.OMuck]

How's about "Big Washboard Tampa Sam"? Or just Bluebird Blues, or "Ensemble for the performance of late early twentieth century African American Rural music recently relocated to an urban environment"? Or better yet why not just call the band "Chitown'36"?....Don't thank me.....

[Stuart]

I actually like "the Bluebird sound," or perhaps "That Bluebird Sound." Whatever you come up with or decide on, it's going to require some explanation and will ultimately be defined by the music and the musicians that/who fall into the category or classification. If it's good enough for Blues musicians and aficionados, then why not for a general audience?

[cih]

big town blues (as opposed to little village blues)

[arlotone]

Hey, thanks -- I didn't expect so many replies so quickly!

Many of these suggestions would work, so I'll mull them over.

BTW the band already has a name (The Spodee-o's, because we started as a duo playing a few Sonny and Brownie tunes) so I'm just looking for what to call the genre when I describe it to people. We'll record some new videos soon and I'll post them on the Back Porch.

[GhostRider]

How 'bout Depression Pop-Blues. I associate these artists with the depression era.

Alex

[-]

Pre-War Chicago Blues

[dj]

Hamfat music.  Nobody will know what it means, but it sure is catchy.

[Slack]

Which is not such a bad idea.  When they ask you what Hamfat music is... just tell them they'll have to come hear you play to find out. 

[Gumbo]

+1 for Hamfat Music.

Yeah. We play that too

[Parlor Picker]

Hamfat gets my vote, as well. 

[Bald Melon Jefferson]

Sure, Hamfat is nice.... but I really like how effortlessly Muck's 
EFTPOLETCAARMRRTAUE rolls of the tongue. 

As an aside; for years I told friends that I was tryin to teach myself to play blues guitar...and for years I received scores of Chicago Blues compilation cds and mp3s. Now that I tell-up I play pre-blues, hokum and raggy-time I don't get anymore music samplers...just blank stares.

[ScottN]

From Les R Forgue on a different post "down home blues" is what the people in Chicago called it when he was a kid.