Throwbacks: Seminal Album of the Day - Greatest Hits /// Charley Patton
Heralded as “The Father of the Delta Blues,” Charley Patton is one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Delta Blues is categorized as any blues music stemming from the Mississippi Delta area, but its style focuses on steady rhythms, steel and cigar box guitars, harmonicas, and soulful, introspective lyrics. Thus, several musicians not from the Mississippi Delta area can be considered Delta Blues artists. Charley essentially pioneered this style. With his gospel-like, often indiscernible lyrics, Charley bellows and howls about the struggles faced by African Americans in the Deep South at the turn of the century. His lyrics also encompass daily trials and tribulations, bringing light to the importance of day-to-day toils and altering the perceptions of performing musicians. He usurped the reign of classical music and created a new struggle-bus, working-Joe sound. His style, with the help of signing to Paramount Records in 1929, eventually spread across the country. Charley gained notoriety throughout the country, particularly in the South. His style influenced blues artists everywhere. Charley released several records, but his Greatest Hits compilation album provides the best starting point to enjoy his sound. Upon listening, his impact on blues is blatant. Digging even further, you can begin to realize how he inadvertently affected the sounds of big name rock and roll bands in the 60s and 70s. Thus, Charley can be viewed as the prime mover in this chain of causality. To appreciate modern music is to appreciate Charley Patton.
Recommended album: Greatest Hits
Recommended listening: Pony Blues, Going to Move to Alabama
Similar sounds: Howlin’ Wolf, Son House, Mississippi Shieks
