Art Collage JANG: 115. Blues: 6. Since 1980s, ACJ Music Academy

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This week's lecture is “Since 1980s”, the 6th topic of “Blues”, which is a summary of the contents of “115. Blues: 6. Since 1980s” introduced on December 16th, 2017.

Since the 1980s there has been a resurgence of interest in the blues among African- Americans, particularly around Jackson, Mississippi, and other Deep South regions.

Deep South, United States

Often referred to as "Soul blues" or "Southern soul," the music at the center of this phenomenon had new life by unexpected success of two recordings released by Jackson-based Malaco label, such as Z. Z. Hill's “Down Home Blues (1982)” and Little Milton's “The Blues is Alright (1984)”.

Malaco Records logo

Z. Z. Hill

Contemporary African-American musicians who make compositions in this blues style include Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Charles Jones, Bettye LaVette, Marvin Sease, and Peggy Scott-Adams.

During the 1980s, blues continued in both traditional and new forms, and Robert Cray became a major blues artist with his 1986 album "Strong Persuader". Texas-born guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan gained worldwide popularity with the release of his debut album, "Texas Flood," in 1983, and John Lee Hooker regained his popularity with his album "The Healer" in 1989.

Strong Persuader, Robert Cray (1986)

Texas Flood, Stevie Ray Vaughan (1983)

The Healer, John Lee Hooker (1989)

However, since the 1990s, digital multitrack recording and other technological advances and new marketing strategies including video clip production increased costs, threatening improvisation, an important element of blues music.

In the 1980s and 1990s, blues associations began to form in major cities in the United States, outdoor blues festivals became more common, and more nightclubs and venues for blues emerged.

Also in the 1990s, previously largely ignored hill country blues gained some recognition in both blues and alternative rock music scenes with Mississippi-born musicians R. L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.

R. L. Burnside

Blues musicians explored various musical genres from the nominees of Blues Music Awards, previously named W.C. Handy Awards, the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album and the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album, and the Billboard Blues Album chart provides an overview of current blues hits.

Contemporary blues music has been bred by several blues labels such as Alligator Records, Ruf Records, Severn Records, Chess Records, Delmark Records, NorthernBlues Music, Fat Possum Records and Vanguard Records.