The Badger Herald

ARTSETC.

Experts converge to discuss the blues

by Charles Hughes

Thursday, September 25, 2003

The year 2003 has been declared the “Year Of The Blues” by both Congress and PBS, which, Sept. 28, will begin broadcasting a seven-part series — directed by figures like Martin Scorsese (the guiding spirit for the entire project), Wim Wenders and Clint Eastwood — dedicated to examining and analyzing one of America’s most important and lasting cultural forms.

In connection with this, the UW Center for Humanities has organized a panel discussion entitled “New Blues,” which features three of the best music journalists currently writing.

For the past three decades, Peter Guralnick has developed a reputation as one of the foremost experts on American roots music. His books are now foundational texts in the study of blues, rockabilly, country and soul, and his two-part biography of Elvis Presley (the masterful “Last Train To Memphis” and “Careless Love”) is one of the best such works, rendering all future Presley biographies somewhat redundant.

Recently, he delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips. Guralnick co-edited the companion book to the PBS series, and he has just completed a biography of Sam Cooke, to be released soon.

Robert Gordon is a Memphis-based writer whose books “It Came From Memphis” and “I Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters” have established him as one of the country’s premier music journalists. “It Came From Memphis” is a tour through the other side of one of America’s most famous music meccas, in which Gordon finds the darkness and absurdity of this cultural melting pot lurking in corners both undetected and misperceived.

“I Can’t Be Satisfied” has already become the definitive text on the great blues man, one by which all other portrayals of Waters will be judged. (It’s also been made into a Gordon-directed documentary, also aired on PBS.) Like Guralnick, Gordon was directly involved in writing an episode of the upcoming series.

UW-Madison professor Craig Werner is the author of, among other things, “A Change Is Gonna Come: Music, Race and the Soul of America,” an acclaimed look at the last 50 years of African-American music. One of the most popular professors on the UW campus, Werner has written the liner notes for several albums and is on the nominating committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Werner has just completed “Higher Ground,” in which he further analyzes issues both musical and political through intertwining biographies of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Curtis Mayfield.

Gordon recently spoke to The Badger Herald concerning the panel discussion, and describes himself as “thrilled” about it.

“I’m familiar with Craig’s book, and have met him along the way. Peter and I are old friends, and it’s always fun when we do these dialogues because they’re always about more than what we came to talk about,” he said.

When asked about his feelings on the “Year Of The Blues” celebration, Gordon attested to its value. “More power to it. There’s nothing wrong with introducing people to a part of American history and culture that’s exciting and provocative.

All three writers have had their books celebrated with national awards, and this chance to hear a discussion between this high-caliber collection of music-minded thinkers shouldn’t be passed up (especially since it’s free). The topic is rich, and the discussion should follow suit. Amidst the hoopla of the “Year Of The Blues,” the possible content for such a meeting seems endless. As Robert Gordon asserts, “blues as been for me a way to get a hold of 20th Century American history. Plus, you can shake your fanny to it.”

The “New Blues” discussion will be held in the State Historical Society’s auditorium tonight, Thursday, September 25, at 7 p.m. The event is free and not ticketed.