Page 64 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2023 Digital Edition

Storytellin’ Blues Dig Deep

by Gaye Adegbalola recognition of nothingness, the helplessness, the resignation –
Many blues songs have similar themes woven into their a song that could fit any of today’s tragedies.
lyrics, but some blues musicians dive deeper into the storytelling Educational story-songs also tell personal stories or
element to create what I call story-songs – they take you where describe some local personality. One such story that has stuck
to me is Marcia Ball’s “Louella”: “Telegram, telephone, tell
you probably haven’t been before; they can educate, provoke Louella, everybody knows / If you tell Louella you might as
one’s emotions and urge action. These songs often incorporate well-a put it on the radio.” It goes on to tell all the trouble
commentary that is EDUCATIONAL, HISTORICAL and Louella’s mouth can cause.
critical of SOCIAL CONDITIONS – sometimes with humor, Keb Mo’ is a masterful storyteller. Very simply, he and
sometimes even with stories between songs. Georgina Graper describe another woman who can’t help
I know many songs of this ilk, but I sought not only to find herself:
stories, but also good songs – songs that stick to you. For me,
a good song often tells a universal story in a unique way. She ain’t looking for no lover
Many story-songs give resolution or recourse – a way out. If She ain’t looking for a romance
humor comes in story-songs, that is icing on the cake! These She just wants to dance
songs might stay on one’s mind; might take you somewhere
you don’t go place-wise – like Willie Dixon’s “Wang Dang Keb also shares a universal story in a unique self-reflective
Doodle” – or time-wise – like Son House’s “Death Letter Blues.” style, as he describes how he changed to please the one and
I also like story-songs that create an image, might even be only love in his life. He sings, “You made a brand new man
“wordy,” but allow you to see and feel. out of me, but I like the old me better.” There are many self-
When I think about story-songs that are EDUCATIONAL, reflective songs in the blues world that educate others and give
some chronicle specific events like Bessie Smith’s “Back- advice. Citing Son House, don’t you mind people “Grinning
Water Blues.” She tells the story of a flood near Nashville, on in Yo’ Face.” In "Gratitude Blues," Arnaé Batson describes
Christmas 1926 – being trapped, the rescue, the fright, the how she rejected and refused to sing blues, but discovered

62 Blues Festival Guide 2023