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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 18, 1993                   TAG: 9304200399
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE BLUES

ALTHOUGH Chris Gladden's March 14 article on "the blues" was appreciated, it unfortunately contained glaring statements of misconceptions and misinformation.

First, the blues, is not just "basically . . . about disasters, migrations and restless love." Song titles such as "I'm So Glad" (Skip James), "Sittin' on Top of the World" (Chester Burnett), and "Pride and Joy" (Stevie Ray Vaughn), certainly belie this attitude. As poet Larry Neal eloquently states: "The emphasis in blues songs is on the immediacy of life, the nature of man, and human survival in all of its physical and psychological manifestations."

Second, "electric blues" was not a post-World War II phenomenon. Aaron "T-Bone" Walker was experimenting with amplification as early as 1935. His (electric) blues standard, "Stormy Monday," was recorded in 1943, well before said conflict's demise. CHARLES R. SLOAN COPPER HILL

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