Full Description
Follow British Blues musician and researcher, Derek Bright, as he travels along the famed Highway 61 route from Chicago to New Orleans. This thoroughly researched book delves deeply into African American culture, history and music both past and present associated with the highway. For anyone considering travelling Highway 61, or just wanting to learn more about this historic route and the origins of the blues, this book is essential reading. 2020 Edition with additional photography and updated information.
'Bright is an old master at following old and ancient trails, and you couldn't pick a better guide to show you the sights on Highway 61' ( Paul Garon, co-founder of Living Blues)
'Derek tunes the car radio to the very best black music that America has to offer...for those of us yet to make this trip into a still so relevant psycho-geographical culture, he is our eyes, ears, and conscience' (Johnny Green, former road manager of The Clash)
Contents
Acknowledgements. Foreword by Johnny Green. Introduction. Chapter 1 Down on the Killing Floor: Chicago. Chapter 2 Lord, Sixty-One Highway: Joliet to Rock Island. Chapter 3 Down to St Louis: St Louis. Chapter 4 Big Train Goes to Memphis: Memphis. Chapter 5 Casinos and Cotton: Walls to Robinsonville. Chapter 6 Pass the Biscuits - It's King Biscuit Time: Helena. Chapter 7 Juke Joints, Shacks and BBQ: Clarksdale. Chapter 8 The Ghosts of Emmett Till: Tutwiler to Greenville. Chapter 9 Beyond Catfish Row: Vicksburg to Natchez. Chapter 10 Carry Me Down on Rampart Street: New Orleans. Afterword. Bibliography. Index.
