• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

IBC 2023 Winners Announced

January 29, 2023

The Burney Sisters: Americana Trio from Columbia, Missouri Ready to Set Sail on Cayamo Cruise

January 27, 2023

Dani Wilde Premieres Video for Nostalgic New Single ‘I Miss The World’

January 27, 2023

10 Things You Didn’t Know About J.J. Cale

January 26, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»News»Adam Gussow Speaks About ‘Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition’ at Turnrow Event
News

Adam Gussow Speaks About ‘Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition’ at Turnrow Event

Barry KerznerBy Barry KerznerOctober 4, 2017Updated:April 10, 2020No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Image Courtesy of Beth Foley Barnes
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Photo by Steven W. Likens

On Tuesday, October 10th, at 5:30 PM, the Turnrow Book Co, at 304 Howard Street in Greenwood, Mississippi will come alive as guest speaker Adam Gussow talks about his new book, Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition.

Blues has been referred to as “the devil’s music” for generations now, and that will continue for generations yet to come. After all, everyone knows the legend of how Robert Johnson, the premiere bluesman of the twentieth century sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads at the midnight hour.

In his book Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition, Gussow examines the role(s) the devil has played in the myths and traditions of the blues since its earliest days. To do this he works from original transcriptions of more than 125 recordings released during the past ninety years. He finds the many roles that the devil has played including troublemaker, thief, instigator, home-wrecker, and more. Gussow looks at the lives and music of those we now consider musical giants including Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Skip James, Big Bill Broonzy, John Lee Hooker, Peetie Wheatstraw and more.

The devil figured in all the relationships that black musicians would be involved in whether working, most likely for whites, and in social settings, with blacks. He was often used as a substitute for those that blacks wanted to talk about because actually talking about whites could get a person dead very quickly in the Jim Crow South.

Something interesting that Gussow uncovered in his studies was that there actually was no crossroads when Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul there.

Intrigued? Gussow will speak to these and other fascinating aspects of his book during his appearance.

Don’t miss this opportunity for a new understanding of blues traditions and history.

Turnrow Book Co

304 Howard Street, Greenwood, MS

October 10th – 5:30 PM

Turnrow Book Co

Adam Gussow

Adam Gussow Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition Turnrow Book Co
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleSouthside Johnny to Perform Benefit Show in Orlando
Next Article Grammy Salute To Music Legends 2017™
Barry Kerzner

Related Posts

IBC 2023 Winners Announced

January 29, 2023

Listen: Colemine Records to Posthumously Release Fred Davis LP, ‘Cleveland Blues’

January 26, 2023

Savoy Brown to Release ‘Blues All Around’ After the Passing of Legendary Founder

January 24, 2023

The Nighthawks Share First Single ‘Don’t Know Where She Went’ From New EP

January 20, 2023

Comments are closed.

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.