Solo Guitar Blues

History

Much of Delta blues, especially in recorded form, survives as solo guitar performance. Robert Johnson, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Bukka White, Johnny Shines, and David Honeyboy Edwards each demonstrate different solo solutions—some rhythmically dense, some spacious, some technically sly, some emotionally brutal.

Defining artists

• Robert JohnsonSpotifyYouTube
• Son HouseSpotifyYouTube
• Mississippi John HurtSpotifyYouTube
• Bukka WhiteSpotifyYouTube
• Johnny ShinesSpotifyYouTube
• David Honeyboy EdwardsSpotifyYouTube

Essential listening

• Cross Road Blues — Robert JohnsonSpotifyYouTube
• Death Letter Blues — Son HouseSpotifyYouTube
• Avalon Blues — Mississippi John HurtSpotifyYouTube
• Parchman Farm Blues — Bukka WhiteSpotifyYouTube
• Too Wet to Plow — Johnny ShinesSpotifyYouTube
• Drop Down Mama — David Honeyboy EdwardsSpotifyYouTube

Sources

• Britannica and the Library of Congress on Mississippi Delta blues
• Britannica on slide guitar
• Smithsonian on Bentonia’s minor-key continuity.