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World Music

A Guide to Blues and Travel

By Roadjunky, Posted Dec 05, 2006

a blues harp is the traveler's best friend

The blues came from America’s deep south and can still be found there. If you travel into blues meccas in the Mississippi Delta then there will still be blues joints with accomplished musicians. Most of the greats have now died but there are still a few coughing out their lyrics, perhaps with a long-suffering wife whispering them the words between lines.

Even if you don’t find the old blues master of your dreams on your travels, you will at least get the flavour of the country and origins of the blues.

Alternatively Chicago remains today a thriving blues scene

Of course the best way to get to know the blues on your trip is to play them. If you’re too weighed down to carry a guitar with you then get slip a blues harmonica into your pocket before you leave. If you listen to enough of the old classics, this ten hole harp can be learnt on the road and you’ll find a way to put all your road-suffering into song.

I’ve got the key to the highway,
You know I’ve got to go,
I’m going to leave here running
‘coz walking is much too slow…


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