Discuss what makes these examples sound especially bluesy.

Please respond to ALL of the following questions concisely but using full sentences
and paragraphs. Make sure to organize your thoughts and writing clearly and not
merely respond to aspects of the prompt. There is no need to repeat the question in
your writing, but make certain to number your responses clearly. The word count for
your combined exam should not exceed 1500 total words, so aim for brevity and
clarity.
1.
Choose TWO (2) audio examples from this unit (Lectures 1-15, Weeks 1-5) that
resonated with you and explain why. Using vocabulary you have learned from this
course, discuss what makes these examples sound especially bluesy. Are there
aspects of what you are hearing that could be discussed as African “retentions” in
African American music? How have these musical and cultural qualities more
broadly infused or shaped American music, especially from the time of minstrelsy
to early rock-and-roll?
1.
Pick TWO (2) of the following individuals to write about in some detail. While
you may reference aspects of their biography, you should focus primarily on
themes from the course that are illuminated through their lives and music. Your
response must reference in some detail at least one audio example (by song
title) and one reading assignment (by author and page #) from the course.
There is no need for outside research, so please do not include it.
Ma Rainey
Bessie Smith
Billie Holiday
Harry Pace [Note: you can reference the podcast in place of a reading assignment]
Blind Lemon Jefferson
Charlie Patton
Robert Johnson
Leadbelly
Jimmy Rodgers
Muddy Waters
Elvis Presley
2.
How are rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll related? What role did musical,
social, and technological changes play during this time (the 1940s and 50s)?
What issues surfaced (or were hidden) in the how these genres were discussed at
the time? What residual or lasting effects of this might influence how genres are
discussed today? Discuss at least two specific audio examples (by artist name
and song title) and reference at least two assigned readings (by author and page
#) to support your ideas.

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