A river delta is "a landform that forms at the mouth of a river, where the river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, or reservoir." In the United States, when referring to the "delta," one's usually talking about the delta of the largest river in North America, the Mississippi.
The Delta blues is "one of the earliest styles of blues music. It originated in the Mississippi Delta... that stretches from Memphis, Tennessee in the north to Vicksburg, Mississippi in the south... The Mississippi Delta area is famous both for its fertile soil and its poverty. Guitar, harmonica and cigar box guitar are the dominant instruments used, with slide guitar (usually on the steel guitar) being a hallmark of the style. The vocal styles range from introspective and soulful to passionate and fiery."
Read more about the delta blues at this PBS site.
There's a Delta blues museum in Clarksdale, MS, founded in 1979.
Read about Delta blues artists such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson.
Listen to two hours of delta blues.
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Cool...you just described where I live - in the delta of the Fraser River which leads out to the Strait of Georgia which leads to the Pacific Ocean. No greater place to live but right near the salt water! Love the blues, too!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
An educative explanation ;-) Something i did not know until now.
ReplyDeleteVery informative as usual Roger! I imagine you always having some background music playing through your day...
ReplyDeleteEllen - that would be correct. Today will be Suzanne Vega, Tony Bennett, Joe Jackson, Robbie Robertson, Mark Knopfler, David Crosby, John Hiatt, Led Zeppelin, and a compilation of Stax soul music
DeleteGreat links... and oooh I can't wait to link up to your post Roger - LOVE those artists. Thank you all at ABCWednesday for your work and visits. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post Roger. Off to listen to some Delta Blues.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like he's playing a dobro guitar. Yet another D. Two hours of Delta Blues?! Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on Letter D.
ReplyDeleteWhat! No reference to Delta Dawn by Helen Reddy?...Love that you are taking the Greek Alphabet as your inspiration♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/deconstruction/
ReplyDeleteLove blues music !
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good music link. I need that about now. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in High School, my boarding school in Vicksburg took us to have picnics at the Mississippi Delta. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGreat intro for "D"!
ReplyDeleteMy D stands for "Delphi"
Last April McKinley Morganfield (aka Muddy Waters) would have turned 100.
ReplyDeleteAnd the delta that came to mind was Delta Dawn.
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