was based on R&; B-based, it is an extension of "country and western music" influenced by pop music. R& B is not only an important transitional music between blues and rock music, but also the most important musical branch between blues and soul music.
Of course, Bruce is undoubtedly R&; B is an important part, but jazz elements are equally important. The earliest r&; B artists come from the fields of "Big-Band" and "Swing-Jazz". Before World War II, jazz was far more popular than today. At that time, it was a kind of music played for dancing, but there were usually singers in the band. During World War II, many important jazz artists began to develop "Be Bop" and "Cool Jazz", which had fewer dancing elements. However, influenced and constrained by wartime economic and military factors, "big bands" began to decrease gradually. But listeners, especially those in the rapidly growing African-American community in big cities, still want to hear music that can dance. Therefore, in order to adapt to the audience, musicians made "Boogie" with louder volume, more electro-acoustic instruments and Riff.
R&, which first became popular; B style usually refers to "Jump Blues". It not only absorbs the swing rhythm and sign-based arrangement in jazz, but also absorbs the reply section and harmony structure commonly used in blues. Perhaps the most important pioneer of this style is Cab Calloway. In "jump blues", the singer's voice is harsher, the rhythm is faster, and the performance of musical instruments is different-the piano is played harder, and the saxophone's voice is longer and sharper.
The most important and popular "jump blues" star is Louis Jordan, whose records have been equally successful for both black and white audiences. And he also deeply influenced Chuck Berry. Many early "jump blues" performers came from Los Angeles, where a huge black community was formed during the Great Depression and World War II. In the late 194s, more cities began to have their own "jump blues" stars. The independent L.A. record companies "Specialty" and "Aladdin" not only filled the gap of big record companies in this field, but also made themselves successful by publishing "jump blues". Joe Liggins, Tiny Bradshaw, Amos Milburn, and Camille Howard, artists who have been completely forgotten, all achieved great success in "jump blues" at that time and became the most beautiful black musicians of their time.
"jump blues" was later transformed into several different styles. Singers who are called Shouters add more energetic Gospel music and Soul to the formal singing style of "Big Band". Big Joe Turner started his career as an artist in a jazz band in Kansas. He is R&; B and "Jazz", he not only easily turned from "Jazz" to R&; B, even wrote some early classic rock songs. In addition, Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, Roy Milton and Nappy Brown were also important musicians among the "Loudspeakers" from the late 194s to the early 195s, although they were not as famous as Turner.
at the beginning of 195s, "Race" music was used by Jerry Wexler of Billboard magazine to rename R&: B。 As A& Atlantic record company; R, Jerry popularized "jump blues" to pop music listeners and teenagers. The records of the early "Atlantic" stars [Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, Drifters, Chuck Willis)] maintained this preference for "jump blues", but their rhythms, replies and lyrics began to approach the later rock music. In fact, Baker and Willis also relied on some songs loved by young listeners to achieve different degrees of success in the early rock music field. From the early to the mid-195s, rock music began to emerge. Some and r&; B There are obviously different types of music, which exert great influence on pop music culture by their own strength. Such as "Doo Wop" band, "Electro-acoustic Blues", "New Orleans R&; B "and so on. The influence of these music in the history of rock and roll continued even more than that of the earlier and more jazz R&; B。
A considerable number of artists not only survived in the 195s, but also published R&: B record has been successful and recognized. Ike Turner, Ivory Joe Hunter, Faye Adams, Wynona Carr, Big Mama Thornton and Big Maybelle, these people are not pure blues. While blues singers Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Puckle and Little Milton combine "electro-acoustic blues" with "soul music", they can't be called pure rock singers. Occasionally, singers like Johnny Otis, "Screamin'Jay Hawkins" and Wilbert Harrison can win recognition in the rock music audience, and it is also through their most popular and easy-to-understand songs. Harrison's Kansas City is a popular "jump blues" song.
Some singers in the 195s began to make R&; B more popular than before-adding obvious "gospel music" and church music elements. Today, we can still remember those great names: Ray Charles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Johnny Ace, Jessie Belvin, and Clyde McPhatter. As the godfathers of Soul Music, some of them later became superstars of Soul Music in the 196s, such as Charles and Brown. Others, such as McPhett and John, quit the music stage because of the changes of the times and unsolvable personal problems.
for r&; B, the commemorative significance and the late cheers given today can't change the dilemma it faced at the beginning-the early R&; B records are difficult to be accepted by all new listeners. And R& in the 194s and 195s; B Singers and record companies pay more attention to entertainment than to promoting diversified works of art.. So in R&; In the heyday of B, the songs people heard were all composed of similar harmony, progressive mode and arrangement. However, despite R&; B has changed a lot since its birth, but it still retains an extremely important part of rock music, soul music and rap music, and plays a role behind the music.
recommended records:
1. Various Artists, The Fifth Series of Blues Masters: jump blues Volume 5 (Rhino)
The best selection of jump blues, Including the works of Big Jay McNeely, Wynonie Harris, Tiny Bradshaw and Big Joe Turner. Another album "More Jump Blues Classics" in the "Blues Masters" series has the same high standard.
2. Various Artists "Blues Masters Volume 14: More jump blues" (rhino)
has the same level as the above record. It includes the works of Louis Jordan, Big Maybelle, Faye Adams and others.
3. Big Joe Turner, Big, Bad and Blue: Selected Works of Fat Joe Turner (big, bad&; Blue: Big Joe Turner Anthony) (rhino)
Just like Turner's own experience, this three-piece album contains works from the jazz era of Big Band to the birth of rock music for decades. It witnessed R&; The development history of B.
4. louis jourdan's The Best of louis jourdan (MCA)
Jordan recorded many popular songs during the 194s and 195s. No album can catch all the good songs, but this selection is the best.
5. Various Artists "Atlantic Rhythm 1-4" (Atlantic Rhythm &; Blues Vol.1-4)(Atlantic)
"Atlantic" is a great influence on modern R&; B the record company that made the greatest contribution. This is part of the set of seven albums published until 1974-including R&D from 1947 to 1962; B representative songs before the comprehensive transformation to rock music.
6. Various Artists "Specialty Story"
"Specialty" is also a famous early R&; B and rock music independent records. For "non-professional" people, this set of five-piece records is indeed a bit much, but there is no doubt that there are great artists and works in it. It even featured works by early rock stars little richard and Larry Williams.
7. Ruth Brown's Rockin' in Rhythm: The Best of Ruth Brown (Rhino)
The early reputation of "Atlantic" was largely established by this singer, and this record included all her good songs in the 195s.
8. LaVern Baker's Soul on Fire: The Best of Lavern Baker (rhino)
One in R&; A singer who played an important role in the evolution of rock music.
9. "The Drifters" "Let Buji Wooji Rock: The Best Collection (1953-1958)" [Let Boogie-Woogie Roll: Great Test Hits (1953-1958)] (Atlantic)
The first one of "Drifters". In fact, they can also be called a "street blues" band, but they still have strong traces of "jump blues".
1. Ike Turner's I Like Ike: The Best of Ike Turner (rhino)
Most of the songs in this album are from the 195s, and they are R&; B and "electro-acoustic blues".
11. Ray Charles's "Birth of Soul" (rhino)
A set of three-piece records includes Charles' works in the "Atlantic" during the 195s.
12. Johnny Otis "The Capital Years" (Capitol)
As a band leader and musician, Otis played in R&: B field has achieved great success. He also made achievements in rock music in the late 195s. This record is his best selection of songs.
13. Little Willie