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Blues Music: Iconic Instruments, Images, and Sounds

One of the most influential styles of American music, the Blues is a living tradition with multiple regional styles. Have a listen with the Sounds of the American Blues and The Roots of Rhythm & Blues playlists from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and explore our blues-related collection items.


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Hommage à Bessie Smith

Earl King, 1992

Muddy Waters

B.B. King, 1973

Albert King / Mott the Hoople / Freddie King

Tears don't fall no more [sound recording] : blues and ballads / Lonnie Johnson

B. B. King

Ray Charles

Muddy Waters and Isaac Washington

Beale Street Blues

Muddy Waters, 1983

Sugar Blues

Good Morning ng Blues; How Long

Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith, from the unrealized portfolio "Noble Black Women: The Harlem Renaissance and After"

The Two Kings, Elvis Presley with B.B. King at WDIA Goodwill Review, Memphis, TN

Bessie Smith

Tell Us About Hommage Á Bessie Smith

Lead Belly - "Shout On" [Official Audio]

Jimi Hendrix

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, 1995

Lead Belly - "Careless Love" [Official Audio]

Huddie Ledbetter

The Roots of Lightnin' Hopkins, [sound recording]

32c Sonny Terry single

Royalty Agreement for "Walking Blues"

Junior Wells, 1994

Playbill for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

32c Josh White single

Dream Blues; Lost Wandering Blues

Little Ed Williams, 1992

Libba Cotten

Josh White, from the portfolio 'O, Write My Name': American Portraits, Harlem Heroes

Huddie Ledbetter

Our Native Daughters - "I Knew I Could Fly" [Behind The Scenes Documentary]


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