Music in Memphis
Allen Tullos (compiler), Emory University
Abstract:
The Mid-South city built on a Mississippi River
bluff, Memphis sits at the confluence of extraordinary musical streams:
Anglo-Celtic upcountry songstyles, fiddle bands, and gospel harmonies
mingled with Delta blues, African American congregational and quartet
singing, and jazz up from New Orleans. The offspring include Memphis soul,
rockabilly, rock and roll, country.
Gateway Sections:
Music in Memphis:
 |
A
Century of Blues in Memphis. "Memphis’ role in
nurturing the blues is undeniable. In the theaters, parks,
and clubs of Beale
Street; in its temporary recording units and legendary studios;
in its airwaves shooting across the Delta; and in the careers
of
those born there and those who only stopped for a while, Memphis
was the half way point where the country blues of the Delta
first grew
accustomed to the city. And when it moved on, catching a northbound
train to Chicago and beyond, the precedent of the encounter
would
continue to reverberate in Memphis’ equally historic contributions
to jazz, gospel, rockabilly, and soul." (Source: www.yearoftheblues.com) |
An audio visit with Nick Spitzer to the streets
where Elvis Presley grew up: includes a stop at Wild Bill's blues club
and comments from Jerry Lee Lewis (RealAudio,
8:16 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_0133Cab.ram
Biographer Peter Guralnick discusses
Elvis Presley and Memphis. (RealAudio,
3:34 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_0233PGuralnick.ram
Presley band members
D. J. Fontana and Scotty Moore recall Elvis. (RealAudio,
11:37 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_0233DJScotty.ram
Sun Studio founder Sam
Phillips talks about crafting sound as country, rhythm and
blues, and gospel came together to shape rock and roll. (RealAudio,
9:45 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_0216SPhillips.ram
The story of Sun Records as told by founder Sam
Phillips to Terry Gross of WHYY and National Public Radio's Fresh
Air. (Link to RealAudio
at whyy.org,
30:00 minutes).
http://whyy.org/cgi-bin/FAshowretrieve.cgi?2730
Recalling Stax
Records and the distinctive sound of southern soul. Featuring
Booker T. and the MG's, the Memphis Horns, Otis
Redding,
Sam and Dave,
Carla Thomas, Johnny Taylor, Isaac Hayes.
(RealAudio, 19:47 minutes).
(RealAudio, 19:47 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_0320Stax1.ram
Rufus Thomas, recording artist and deejay talks about learning to be a performer,
songwriting, Sun and Stax records, radio station WDIA. (RealAudio, 9:44 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_0209RThomas.ram
Reverend Al
Green recalls his singing career from soul to gospel. (RealAudio,
13:34 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/AR_00_16_Easter.ram
Travel Highway 61 with blues legend B.B.
King. (RealAudio,
10:35 minutes).
http://www.amroutes.com/ram/8.17.99.ram
Gateway Sections:
