Blind Blake

Blind Blake was the premier ragtime blues guitarist of the 1920s. He extended the alternating bass style, that was popular at the turn of the century, to encompass the dance trends and more complex blues ideas that were emerging from the jazz bands of New Orleans and Chicago. His playing featured unique right hand thumb rolls that evoked the feel of the Charleston dance-step. Rev. Gary Davis greatly admired Blake’s playing and used to remark that Blake had a “sportin’ right-hand”. Blind Blake influenced generations of country blues guitarists and was never equalled.

A remarkable phenomenon in the history of the blues was the vast contribution made by blind musicians, whose legacy left a lasting impact on American music to this day. From ‘The Father Of The Texas Blues’ Blind Lemon Jefferson to slide guitar evangelist Blind Willie Johnson, this Rough Guide highlights the blind blues pioneers who, against all the odds and in the face of incredible adversity, were responsible for a musical revolution.