The Story Of BB King & The Blues People Of The Mississippi Delta

This is my interview with the great folklorist filmmaker William Ferris & presents some of his great documentaries. Why do I say" great"? Because without any training, listening to his heart, he left the farm he came from and began to record stories from the people around him. He was mesmerized by Blues Music, Gospel Music, by the local people black and white, by the artists and the storytellers - most completely unknown. Some of those who he recorded became very famous, like BB King and Eudora Welty.
The people of the Mississippi Delta are unique. Here are some aspects that make them distinct:
The Delta has a rich cultural history with African, European and Native American influences blending together.
Resilience and adaptability: The Delta has faced challenges throughout its history including natural disasters such as floods and droughts, economic hardship due to the decline of the cotton industry and the long-lasting effects of racial segregation and discrimination. The people of the region have demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of these challenges.
Deep connection to the land: The geography of the Mississippi Delta with its fertile soil and abundant natural resources. Agriculture, especially cotton farming has been a central part of the region's economy and identity.
Storytelling is an important aspect of the culture in the Mississippi Delta. This storytelling tradition is evident in the region's music, particularly the blues.
The Mississippi Delta has a strong religious tradition with Christianity, particularly Baptist and Pentecostal denominations, playing a prominent role in the lives of many residents. This faith has fostered gospel music that has emerged alongside of the blues.
The Mississippi Delta is known for its warmth and hospitality. Visitors to the region comment on the welcoming nature of the people, many of whom take pride in their communities and strive to make guests feel at home.
The Mississippi Delta has produced a wealth of talented artists, writers and musicians including:
Muddy Waters - Blues musician and singer
John Lee Hooker - Blues musician and singer
William Faulkner - Nobel Prize-winning novelist and short story writer
Eudora Welty - Pulitzer Prize-winning author and photographer
Tennessee Williams - Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
Richard Wright - Acclaimed author, known for works like "Native Son" and "Black Boy"
And of course my favorite - B.B. King.
B.B. King was a blues musician, guitarist and singer-songwriter from the Delta who had a significant impact on the development of the blues and influenced many other musicians across various genres.
B.B. was a master of the electric guitar. His guitar playing earned him the nickname "The King of the Blues." He is also famous for his guitar, “Lucille," a Gibson ES-355.
B.B.'s voice was smooth & soulful. He easily conveyed emotion and told stories through his lyrics.
B.B. became known for his charismatic stage presence. His engaging personality, storytelling, and rapport with the crowd made his concerts memorable experiences.
During his career B.B. released more than 50 albums. B.B.'s music transcended genre boundaries, appealing to fans of rock, jazz and soul music. His collaborations with artists like Eric Clapton, U2 & Bonnie Raitt brought his music to new audiences & cemented his status as a musical icon.
Mississippi Delta blues is a subgenre of blues music that started in the early 20th century. It is considered one of the earliest forms of the blues. Unlike the later urban blues styles that incorporated electric guitars and full bands, Delta blues is primarily characterized by its use of acoustic instruments. Guitar is the primary instrument, often accompanied by harmonica and sometimes other instruments like the fiddle, kazoo or washboard.
The slide guitar is a distinctive feature of the Delta blues style. It involves using a slide or bottleneck (made of metal, glass, or bone) on the guitarist's finger to glide over the strings, creating a smooth, gliding sound that emulates the human voice.
Mississippi Delta blues features a strong percussive element in the guitar playing with artists slapping or tapping the body of the guitar to create a rhythmic backdrop for their music.
Delta blues has a raw, unpolished quality that distinguishes it from other blues styles. Performances are emotionally intense and they capture the natural ambiance of the rural environments where the music was created.
Storytelling is a crucial element in Mississippi Delta blues. The lyrics reflect the day-to-day life of the people living in the region.
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