Eleven essays trace the origins of the Blues, early recordings, different styles, and more. Photographs of many of the musicians are included.

Workin' on the building : roots and influences / Samuel Charters -- Goin' up the country : blues in Texas and the deep South / David Evans -- Country girls, classic blues, and vaudeville voices : women and the blues / Richard K. Spottswood -- Holy blues : the gospel tradition / Mark A. Humphrey -- Bright lights, big city : urban blues / Mark A. Humphrey -- Truckin' my blues away : East Coast Piedmont styles / Bruce Bastin -- A lighter shade of blue : white country blues / Charles Wolfe -- Don't leave me here : non-commercial blues : the field trips, 1924-60 / John H. Cowley -- Jump steady : the roots of R&B / Barry Pearson -- I once was lost, but now I'm found : the blues revival of the 1960s / Jim O'Neal -- Standing at the crossroads : the blues today / Mary Katherine Aldin.