The Evolution of a Blues Song

[toomanycats]

BUKKA WHITE

From Wikipedia:

"'Parchman Farm' or 'Parchman Farm Blues' is a blues song first recorded by American Delta blues musician Bukka White in 1940. It is an autobiographical piece, in which White sings of his experience at the infamous Mississippi State Penitentiary, known as Parchman Farm. Jazz pianist-vocalist Mose Allison adapted it for his own "Parchman Farm" and "New Parchman", which are among his most popular songs. Numerous artists have recorded their own renditions, usually based on Allison's songs. The song has the elements of Delta blues, including a one-chord modal arrangement."

MOSE ALLISON

In 1957, Mose Allison recorded "Parchman Farm" for his album Local Color.




CACTUS

From Wikipedia:

"Cactus is the debut studio album by American hard rock band Cactus, released in 1970 through Atco Records. It includes original songs as well as two covers: Mose Allison's version of a blues standard, 'Parchman Farm."






VAN HALEN


Van Halen recorded their song "Hot for Teacher" in 1983. Carmine Appice has said in interviews that Eddie Van Halen told him Cactus' version of "Parchment Farm" was their inspiration for "Hot for Teacher". Wikipedia states that, "The song is a mixture of glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock, and speed metal." Sadly, there is no mention of Bukka White, Mose Allison, Cactus, or the connection with the blues.

[Partscaster]

Similar to how staring at a blue square for a few minutes, and then looking at a white surface can make one think they see a yellow square,......temporal repetition can fatigue the mind and so a prolonged beat can help one loose sense of time, and tedium, and seem to be carried away.
Beat, chanting, music, while natural, often evolved in temples and religious institutions as it was recognized as a vehicle to the heavens.
Single voices joining as one, was an experiential metaphor for the wholeness and everlasting. Becoming "amused" and carried away by music has been a Holy experience.
And so the blues sprang up, often led from the edges of the fields where old and crippled slaves might hold a beat with voice and instruments to contribute to the enduring of the work at hand. Day after day, life after life. Work and hard living was/is better tolerated if the mind can be distracted, or reminded of the underlying wholeness. Singing, song, a beat, has been a holy outlet probably for hundreds of thousands of years. (ramble over)

[Chocol8]