"Blues means what milk does to a baby. Blues is what the spirit is to the minister. We sing the blues because our hearts have been hurt, our souls have been disturbed." -Mahalia Jackson
You are invited to tonight’s thanksgiving of music at Wheatland Salem- Oswego. We have invited the Redemption Blues Band to come and share their unique style of music to help us get ready for the weekend of being thankful.
Why the Blues?
Well, the Blues is an African-American music form that transverses a wide range of emotions and musical styles. Ever since the blues first developed, feeling has been the most essential ingredient. “Feeling blue” is expressed in songs whose verses lament injustices or express longing for a better life and lost loves, jobs, and money. The blues originate from what some have termed the Negro spirituals, dating back to the middle of the 18th century, when the slaves were Christianized and began to sing and play Christian hymns. Depending on the religious community a musician belonged to, it could have been considered as a sin to play this low-down music: blues was the devil's music because it did not mention God. Musicians were therefore segregated into two categories: gospel and blues singers, guitar preachers and songsters. However this all changed at the time rural Black music began to get recorded in the 1920s, both categories of musicians used very similar techniques: call-and-response patterns, blue notes, and slide guitars. Today, the music has evolved to include Christian ideas and scripture alongside life’s troubles.
Central to the idea of blues performance is the concept that, by performing or listening to the blues, one is able to overcome sadness and lose the blues - or more appropriately become thankful. Perfect for this Thanksgiving eve!
The hope is the music, readings and spontaneous reflections will help everyone reflect on their lives over the past year. While our journeys might not exactly be the same, we're sure the music can bring about gratitude for even those who can't wait for 2013 to be over.
The blues is as honest a musical form as it is uplifting. It represents life-with all its ups and downs intact. So tonight, we invite everyone to come join a journey from the blues to gratitude.
Hope you will consider coming and kicking off your Thanksgiving weekend with us!
