| Gospel blues | |
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| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 19th century, African Americans |
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| Gospel music |
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See also: |
Gospel blues (or holy blues) [1] is a form of blues-based gospel music that has been around since the inception of blues music. It combines evangelistic lyrics with blues instrumentation, often blues guitar accompaniment. [1]
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According to musician and historian Stefan Grossman, "holy blues" was coined to originally describe Reverend Gary Davis's style of traditional blues playing with lyrics conveying a religious message. [2] Davis and Blind Willie Johnson are considered the genre's two dominant performers, according to Dick Weissman. [1] Other notable gospel-blues performers include Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Washington Phillips. [3]
Blues musicians who became devout, or even practicing clergy, include Reverend Robert Wilkins and Ishman Bracey. [4] Bluesmen such as Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton, Son House, Bukka White, [5] and Skip James also recorded gospel blues or religious songs. [6] Blind Lemon Jefferson and Charley Patton released gospel song under a pseudonym. [7]
