Long before the blues went electric and urban, these rural pioneers were laying down the foundations of the genre, usually with no more than a voice and acoustic guitar.
Celebrate the modern blues scene and keep the blues alive with this mix of strict traditionalists and artists who are willing to bring a more modern touch to (arguably) America's greatest musical export.
In 1955 Cosimo Matassa opened Cosimo Recording Studios in the French Quarter ushering in the "New Orleans Sound" (R&B heavy on the guitar and vocals). Cosimo fostered and attracted remarkable talent including Ray Charles and Allen Toussaint.
Home to The Swampers, one of the greatest house bands in American R&B history, Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama remains the go-to destination for artists seeking that iconic, soulful sound. These are the essential songs recorded there.
If you're getting set to say hello to the sandman, you need the most mellow tunes you can find. Here's a batch of acoustic cuts by some of the best singer/songwriters around, from the '60s to the present, to help you enter dreamland with ease.
Whether they're redefining their own songs or taking a cheeky crack at a popular favorite, artists love to perform without the aid of electricity. Check out some acoustic covers of popular rock songs throughout the years.
There is nothing quite like the seductive sonority of a finely played cello. Every composer has tried to win her affection through the centuries; here are the mellow classics that make her the great lady of the orchestra.