Hill Country Blues is a style of blues music that originated in the North Mississippi Hill Country region. It is characterized by its raw, stripped-down sound and repetitive rhythms, often played on homemade instruments such as the diddley bow and cigar box guitar.
The style is characterized by its raw, hypnotic rhythms and repetitive guitar riffs, often played on a single chord. Hill Country Blues is also known for its use of unconventional instruments, such as the diddley bow and the washboard.
History Of Hill Country Blues
The origins of Hill Country Blues can be traced back to the early 20th century when African American sharecroppers and laborers in the hill country region began to develop their own unique style of blues music. This music was heavily influenced by the traditional African rhythms and melodies that were brought over to the United States during the slave trade.
One of the earliest and most influential Hill Country Blues musicians was Mississippi Fred McDowell, who was born in Rossville, Tennessee in 1904. McDowell’s music was characterized by his use of the slide guitar and his distinctive voice, which was often compared to the sound of a field holler. McDowell’s music was recorded by folklorist Alan Lomax in the 1950s, which helped to popularize the Hill Country Blues style.
Another important figure in the development of the genre was R. L. Burnside, who was born in Harmontown, Mississippi in 1926. Burnside’s music was characterized by its raw energy and its use of unconventional instruments, such as the electric guitar and the drum machine. Burnside’s music was also heavily influenced by the Delta Blues style, which he learned from his neighbor, Mississippi Fred McDowell.
In the 1990s, the genre experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the efforts of musicians like Junior Kimbrough and the Fat Possum record label. Kimbrough, who was born in Hudsonville, Mississippi in 1930, was known for his hypnotic guitar riffs and his use of the diddley bow. The Fat Possum label, which was founded in Oxford, Mississippi in 1991, helped to promote the Hill Country Blues style to a wider audience, with releases by artists like R. L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, and T-Model Ford.
The Best Hill Country Blues Artists
Hill Country Blues is a genre of blues music that originated in the hill country region of Mississippi. It is characterized by its rhythmic style, often played with a one-chord drone and a driving beat. Here are some of the best of the genre’s artists:
1. R.L. Burnside – Burnside was a Mississippi blues guitarist who played in the Hill Country Blues style. He was known for his raw, gritty sound and his use of the electric guitar. Some of his most popular songs include “It’s Bad You Know” and “Goin’ Down South”.
2. Junior Kimbrough – Kimbrough was a blues guitarist and singer from Mississippi who was a major influence on the genre sound. He played a style of blues that was characterized by its hypnotic rhythms and repetitive guitar riffs. Some of his most popular songs include “All Night Long” and “Do the Rump!”.
3. Cedric Burnside – Cedric Burnside is the grandson of R.L. Burnside and has carried on the family tradition of playing Hill Country Blues. He is a drummer and guitarist who has released several albums, including “Benton County Relic” and “The Way I Am”.
4. T-Model Ford – Ford was a Mississippi blues guitarist who played in the genre style. He was known for his rough, unpolished sound and his use of unconventional instruments, such as a washboard or a hubcap. Some of his most popular songs include “Chicken Head Man”.
5. Mississippi Fred McDowell – McDowell was a blues guitarist and singer from Mississippi who played in the Hill Country Blues style. He was known for his slide guitar playing and his powerful voice. Some of his most popular songs include “You Gotta Move” and “Shake ‘Em On Down”.
The Genre Today
One of the defining features of this genre is its focus on the individual musician. Unlike many other genres of music, Hill Country Blues is not about complex arrangements or intricate instrumentation. Instead, it is all about the raw emotion and passion that a single musician can bring to a song. This emphasis on individuality has helped to make the genre a deeply personal and intimate genre of music.
Another key aspect of this genre is its connection to the history and culture of the North Mississippi hill country. Many of the songs in this genre deal with the struggles and hardships of life in this region, from poverty and racism to the harsh realities of rural life. This connection to the land and the people who live there has helped to give Hill Country Blues a sense of authenticity and depth that is hard to find in other genres of music.
Despite its relatively small size and limited commercial success, the genre has had a profound impact on the world of music. Many of the most influential musicians of the past century, from Robert Johnson to Jimi Hendrix, have been deeply influenced by the raw emotion and passion of this genre. Today, Hill Country Blues continues to inspire new generations of musicians, who are drawn to its simple yet powerful sound and its connection to the history and culture of the North Mississippi hill country.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, Hill Country Blues is a genre of music that remains as relevant and important today as it was when it first emerged in the early 1900s. Its focus on individuality, emotion, and authenticity has helped to make it a deeply personal and intimate genre of music, while its connection to the history and culture of the North Mississippi hill country has given it a sense of significance and depth that is hard to find in other genres. Whether you are a lifelong fan of Hill Country Blues or are just discovering it for the first time, there is no denying the power and influence of this remarkable genre of music.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
