URBAN

Inevitably as many country blues players travelled and settled into urban areas their playing began to reflect city life, both in lyrical content and in style. The urban blues was initially non-electric but it wasn't long before the electric guitar was invented although electrification germanated some slightly more unusual playing styles its most profound effect on the players was simply to make them louder and accessible to larger audiences. The urban period can be broadly seen between 1930s and the end of the 1950s. As with country blues it is of course a flavour that has continued for decades true to traditional urban blues roots.

Artists to explore: Muddy Waters, B.B.King, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Keb Mo', Howlin' Wolf, Lowell Fulson, T-Bone Walker, Stevie Ray Vaughan.