thrill is gone thrill is gone away [Music]
you know you dummy wrong baby and you’ll
you know you dummy wrong baby and you’ll be sorry one day BB king is cool right
be sorry one day BB king is cool right
be sorry one day BB king is cool right he’s got soul when we say stuff like
he’s got soul when we say stuff like
he’s got soul when we say stuff like this we know these are American ideas
this we know these are American ideas
this we know these are American ideas like they didn’t come from Europe but do
like they didn’t come from Europe but do
like they didn’t come from Europe but do we understand that they’re West African
we understand that they’re West African
we understand that they’re West African West African people who came to this
West African people who came to this
West African people who came to this country as slaves brought incredible
country as slaves brought incredible
country as slaves brought incredible ideas about art and consciousness that
ideas about art and consciousness that
ideas about art and consciousness that shaped American culture but in school
shaped American culture but in school
shaped American culture but in school you know we hear that the Dutch name New
you know we hear that the Dutch name New
you know we hear that the Dutch name New York and that the French influenced our
York and that the French influenced our
York and that the French influenced our ideas about individual liberty but you
ideas about individual liberty but you
ideas about individual liberty but you know some 60,000 West Africa captives
know some 60,000 West Africa captives
know some 60,000 West Africa captives arrived in the new world per year during
arrived in the new world per year during
arrived in the new world per year during the transatlantic slave trade and they
the transatlantic slave trade and they
the transatlantic slave trade and they actually outnumbered European migrants
actually outnumbered European migrants
actually outnumbered European migrants by nearly 5 to 1 but we hear very little
by nearly 5 to 1 but we hear very little
by nearly 5 to 1 but we hear very little about their influence and in fact when I
about their influence and in fact when I
about their influence and in fact when I was writing for Blue’s magazines
was writing for Blue’s magazines
was writing for Blue’s magazines sometimes I was told you know blues fans
sometimes I was told you know blues fans
sometimes I was told you know blues fans really don’t want to hear that Africa
really don’t want to hear that Africa
really don’t want to hear that Africa stuff and that really bugged me from the
stuff and that really bugged me from the
stuff and that really bugged me from the wall afford Baga which means to annoy
wall afford Baga which means to annoy
wall afford Baga which means to annoy the wall off in the 1600s had a wealthy
the wall off in the 1600s had a wealthy
the wall off in the 1600s had a wealthy fabulous empire in western Senegal and
fabulous empire in western Senegal and
fabulous empire in western Senegal and in 1670 there Fulani neighbors invaded
in 1670 there Fulani neighbors invaded
in 1670 there Fulani neighbors invaded and the Fulani sold wool of prisoners to
and the Fulani sold wool of prisoners to
and the Fulani sold wool of prisoners to British slave traders who shipped them
British slave traders who shipped them
British slave traders who shipped them to South Carolina plantations there wolf
to South Carolina plantations there wolf
to South Carolina plantations there wolf slaves were highly prized for their
slaves were highly prized for their
slaves were highly prized for their blacksmithing leather work and butchery
blacksmithing leather work and butchery
blacksmithing leather work and butchery skills and wellif words like banana yam
skills and wellif words like banana yam
skills and wellif words like banana yam and sugar are passed into American
and sugar are passed into American
and sugar are passed into American English we say I dig that from the wall
English we say I dig that from the wall
English we say I dig that from the wall afford egga which means to appreciate
afford egga which means to appreciate
afford egga which means to appreciate we say that cat can really sing from the
we say that cat can really sing from the
we say that cat can really sing from the wall of cat ka TT which means an
wall of cat ka TT which means an
wall of cat ka TT which means an accomplished singer we are hip and have
accomplished singer we are hip and have
accomplished singer we are hip and have hippies and hipsters because of the wall
hippies and hipsters because of the wall
hippies and hipsters because of the wall of adjectives hippie which means someone
of adjectives hippie which means someone
of adjectives hippie which means someone who’s open eyed and aware some slaves
who’s open eyed and aware some slaves
who’s open eyed and aware some slaves came from Kim bundu in the Angola region
came from Kim bundu in the Angola region
came from Kim bundu in the Angola region and they brought an instrument with them
and they brought an instrument with them
and they brought an instrument with them call them Avanza that became our banjo
call them Avanza that became our banjo
call them Avanza that became our banjo and this was a black instrument until in
and this was a black instrument until in
and this was a black instrument until in the 1800’s minstrel shows used it in
the 1800’s minstrel shows used it in
the 1800’s minstrel shows used it in their mocking representations of black
their mocking representations of black
their mocking representations of black people and this prompted black musicians
people and this prompted black musicians
people and this prompted black musicians to abandon the banjo leaving it for
to abandon the banjo leaving it for
to abandon the banjo leaving it for southern whites to use in country and
southern whites to use in country and
southern whites to use in country and bluegrass music by the 1700s the slave
bluegrass music by the 1700s the slave
bluegrass music by the 1700s the slave trade had gotten to the Bakongo region
trade had gotten to the Bakongo region
trade had gotten to the Bakongo region we got words like jiffy from their word
we got words like jiffy from their word
we got words like jiffy from their word chippy which means in a second we got
chippy which means in a second we got
chippy which means in a second we got bubu from their mabu boo and as a slave
bubu from their mabu boo and as a slave
bubu from their mabu boo and as a slave trade reached your ruble and which today
trade reached your ruble and which today
trade reached your ruble and which today encompasses Nigeria Benin and Togo we
encompasses Nigeria Benin and Togo we
encompasses Nigeria Benin and Togo we picked up a lot of powerful influences
picked up a lot of powerful influences
picked up a lot of powerful influences in Yoruba culture the ability to connect
in Yoruba culture the ability to connect
in Yoruba culture the ability to connect with one’s inner divinity and express
with one’s inner divinity and express
with one’s inner divinity and express that in art and music is called a 2/2
that in art and music is called a 2/2
that in art and music is called a 2/2 which means coolness and that
which means coolness and that
which means coolness and that characteristic is displayed by
characteristic is displayed by
characteristic is displayed by generosity which is considered the
generosity which is considered the
generosity which is considered the finest quality that a person can exhibit
finest quality that a person can exhibit
finest quality that a person can exhibit so that’s why we say if someone’s nice
so that’s why we say if someone’s nice
so that’s why we say if someone’s nice to us that they’re cool that’s why we
to us that they’re cool that’s why we
to us that they’re cool that’s why we say VV Kings got soul and we admire
say VV Kings got soul and we admire
say VV Kings got soul and we admire southern hospitality William Farris
southern hospitality William Farris
southern hospitality William Farris experienced this firsthand when he was a
experienced this firsthand when he was a
experienced this firsthand when he was a young white scholar roaming around the
young white scholar roaming around the
young white scholar roaming around the Mississippi Delta in the early 1960s
Mississippi Delta in the early 1960s
Mississippi Delta in the early 1960s looking for blues musicians as he wrote
looking for blues musicians as he wrote
looking for blues musicians as he wrote in blues from the Delta black family’s
in blues from the Delta black family’s
in blues from the Delta black family’s constantly extended their hospitality to
constantly extended their hospitality to
constantly extended their hospitality to me offering to house and feed me for as
me offering to house and feed me for as
me offering to house and feed me for as long as I was in their neighborhood a
long as I was in their neighborhood a
long as I was in their neighborhood a blues musician said to him you know next
blues musician said to him you know next
blues musician said to him you know next time you come by my house if I’m not
time you come by my house if I’m not
time you come by my house if I’m not there just walk in if I eat a piece of
there just walk in if I eat a piece of
there just walk in if I eat a piece of bread you eat too that’s the power of
bread you eat too that’s the power of
bread you eat too that’s the power of cool so I actually didn’t know any of
cool so I actually didn’t know any of
cool so I actually didn’t know any of this when I fell in love with the blues
this when I fell in love with the blues
this when I fell in love with the blues at age 16 I was raised in a white
at age 16 I was raised in a white
at age 16 I was raised in a white Milwaukee suburb and I had a crush on
Milwaukee suburb and I had a crush on
Milwaukee suburb and I had a crush on this slightly older guy who was in
this slightly older guy who was in
this slightly older guy who was in band and he was booking a club downtown
band and he was booking a club downtown
band and he was booking a club downtown and snuck me in there one summer night
and snuck me in there one summer night
and snuck me in there one summer night to see Koko Taylor and son seals and I
to see Koko Taylor and son seals and I
to see Koko Taylor and son seals and I kind of flipped out like I’d never heard
kind of flipped out like I’d never heard
kind of flipped out like I’d never heard the Blues I’d never dance but I flew out
the Blues I’d never dance but I flew out
the Blues I’d never dance but I flew out of my seat onto the dance floor and just
of my seat onto the dance floor and just
of my seat onto the dance floor and just kind of went nuts and on the dance floor
kind of went nuts and on the dance floor
kind of went nuts and on the dance floor I’ve met Mike a hyperactive blues
I’ve met Mike a hyperactive blues
I’ve met Mike a hyperactive blues fanatic from the south side who looked
fanatic from the south side who looked
fanatic from the south side who looked like a freckled teenage paul mccartney
like a freckled teenage paul mccartney
like a freckled teenage paul mccartney and a couple weeks later we drove to
and a couple weeks later we drove to
and a couple weeks later we drove to this cornfield in the middle of nowhere
this cornfield in the middle of nowhere
this cornfield in the middle of nowhere and there are honest plywood stage was
and there are honest plywood stage was
and there are honest plywood stage was BB King with his guitar Lucille resting
BB King with his guitar Lucille resting
BB King with his guitar Lucille resting on his belly on a sweltering August
on his belly on a sweltering August
on his belly on a sweltering August afternoon the generator kept cutting out
afternoon the generator kept cutting out
afternoon the generator kept cutting out cutting off King and mid solo and I can
cutting off King and mid solo and I can
cutting off King and mid solo and I can personally attest that that’s one of the
personally attest that that’s one of the
personally attest that that’s one of the best excuses for a guitar player to
best excuses for a guitar player to
best excuses for a guitar player to pitch a fit but King was cool he’d just
pitch a fit but King was cool he’d just
pitch a fit but King was cool he’d just drug and smile at Lucio and just wait
drug and smile at Lucio and just wait
drug and smile at Lucio and just wait until they got the power fixed once they
until they got the power fixed once they
until they got the power fixed once they did there was no stopping King in his
did there was no stopping King in his
did there was no stopping King in his band they were in full dinner jackets in
band they were in full dinner jackets in
band they were in full dinner jackets in the heat and they just rocked and a
the heat and they just rocked and a
the heat and they just rocked and a crowd of people were kicking up dust
crowd of people were kicking up dust
crowd of people were kicking up dust dancing in front of the stage and Mike
dancing in front of the stage and Mike
dancing in front of the stage and Mike and I looked around and realized we were
and I looked around and realized we were
and I looked around and realized we were probably the look like we were the only
probably the look like we were the only
probably the look like we were the only white people but we we just really still
white people but we we just really still
white people but we we just really still couldn’t stop herself from dancing so we
couldn’t stop herself from dancing so we
couldn’t stop herself from dancing so we sort of started like our little shy
sort of started like our little shy
sort of started like our little shy thing and we’re getting into it and we
thing and we’re getting into it and we
thing and we’re getting into it and we look up and we’re surrounded by a circle
look up and we’re surrounded by a circle
look up and we’re surrounded by a circle of people who are smiling and clapping
of people who are smiling and clapping
of people who are smiling and clapping and cheering us on and that was my first
and cheering us on and that was my first
and cheering us on and that was my first experience of coolness from people that
experience of coolness from people that
experience of coolness from people that I had been conditioned by my own
I had been conditioned by my own
I had been conditioned by my own upbringing to kind of fear and be wary
upbringing to kind of fear and be wary
upbringing to kind of fear and be wary of so a few years later I was working on
of so a few years later I was working on
of so a few years later I was working on my book the language of the blues and I
my book the language of the blues and I
my book the language of the blues and I got to interview wonderful blues legends
got to interview wonderful blues legends
got to interview wonderful blues legends like Robert jr. Lockwood and Henry gray
like Robert jr. Lockwood and Henry gray
like Robert jr. Lockwood and Henry gray little milton Campbell and Howlin Wolf’s
little milton Campbell and Howlin Wolf’s
little milton Campbell and Howlin Wolf’s closest friend and longtime guitarist
closest friend and longtime guitarist
closest friend and longtime guitarist uber someone in 1960 Willie Dixon wrote
uber someone in 1960 Willie Dixon wrote
uber someone in 1960 Willie Dixon wrote spoonful for Helen Wolfe which was a hit
spoonful for Helen Wolfe which was a hit
spoonful for Helen Wolfe which was a hit for wolf and a huge rock hit for cream
for wolf and a huge rock hit for cream
for wolf and a huge rock hit for cream and I’d always heard that song was about
and I’d always heard that song was about
and I’d always heard that song was about drugs but Hubert Sumlin sent me straight
drugs but Hubert Sumlin sent me straight
drugs but Hubert Sumlin sent me straight he said no what what would happen was
he said no what what would happen was
he said no what what would happen was Dixon and wolf would get together and
Dixon and wolf would get together and
Dixon and wolf would get together and wolf would talk to Dixon and give him
wolf would talk to Dixon and give him
wolf would talk to Dixon and give him ideas for songs so one day they were
ideas for songs so one day they were
ideas for songs so one day they were talking about how when wolf was growing
talking about how when wolf was growing
talking about how when wolf was growing up people would come over and borrow a
up people would come over and borrow a
up people would come over and borrow a spoonful of this and the teaspoon of
spoonful of this and the teaspoon of
spoonful of this and the teaspoon of that and wolf was taught that no matter
that and wolf was taught that no matter
that and wolf was taught that no matter how little you have you don’t just give
how little you have you don’t just give
how little you have you don’t just give a half inch you give the whole inch you
a half inch you give the whole inch you
a half inch you give the whole inch you give everything that you’ve got
give everything that you’ve got
give everything that you’ve got and as Hubert said wolf put love in
and as Hubert said wolf put love in
and as Hubert said wolf put love in there too it could be a spoonful of
there too it could be a spoonful of
there too it could be a spoonful of coffee it could be a spoon for tea just
coffee it could be a spoon for tea just
coffee it could be a spoon for tea just a little spoon of your precious love
a little spoon of your precious love
a little spoon of your precious love it’s good enough for me that spoon and
it’s good enough for me that spoon and
it’s good enough for me that spoon and spoon that spoon
[Music]
[Music] so as I dug more into this concept of
so as I dug more into this concept of
so as I dug more into this concept of coolness I discovered that it’s really
coolness I discovered that it’s really
coolness I discovered that it’s really it informs your group and morality but
it informs your group and morality but
it informs your group and morality but it also informs art and music and in
it also informs art and music and in
it also informs art and music and in flash of the spirit an elder tells art
flash of the spirit an elder tells art
flash of the spirit an elder tells art historian Robert Thompson Judy is a part
historian Robert Thompson Judy is a part
historian Robert Thompson Judy is a part of coolness but Beauty doesn’t have the
of coolness but Beauty doesn’t have the
of coolness but Beauty doesn’t have the force of character that you need for
force of character that you need for
force of character that you need for really powerful art and the elder said
really powerful art and the elder said
really powerful art and the elder said this is a shade divine nature and
this is a shade divine nature and
this is a shade divine nature and ethnomusicologist John Chernov learned
ethnomusicologist John Chernov learned
ethnomusicologist John Chernov learned more about this when he was studying
more about this when he was studying
more about this when he was studying drumming in Ghana and his teacher said
drumming in Ghana and his teacher said
drumming in Ghana and his teacher said you know that young inexperienced
you know that young inexperienced
you know that young inexperienced drummers they haven’t yet learned to
drummers they haven’t yet learned to
drummers they haven’t yet learned to cool their heart and take their time so
cool their heart and take their time so
cool their heart and take their time so they’re playing is Yoli Yoli nothing
they’re playing is Yoli Yoli nothing
they’re playing is Yoli Yoli nothing nothing and the teacher added if a
nothing and the teacher added if a
nothing and the teacher added if a student over placed to a really
student over placed to a really
student over placed to a really obnoxious degree we just grab a stick so
obnoxious degree we just grab a stick so
obnoxious degree we just grab a stick so it doesn’t play again and that cracked
it doesn’t play again and that cracked
it doesn’t play again and that cracked me up because many flashy young blues
me up because many flashy young blues
me up because many flashy young blues players have heard the similar
players have heard the similar
players have heard the similar admonishment from their band leaders Bob
admonishment from their band leaders Bob
admonishment from their band leaders Bob Margolin was a young white guy who
Margolin was a young white guy who
Margolin was a young white guy who joined the Muddy Waters band in Chicago
joined the Muddy Waters band in Chicago
joined the Muddy Waters band in Chicago and Bob told me that when he would play
and Bob told me that when he would play
and Bob told me that when he would play something that muddy found you know less
something that muddy found you know less
something that muddy found you know less than tasteful muddy would say don’t play
than tasteful muddy would say don’t play
than tasteful muddy would say don’t play it like that it makes my dick sore and
it like that it makes my dick sore and
it like that it makes my dick sore and that’s because blues artists are looking
that’s because blues artists are looking
that’s because blues artists are looking for that right note you know that
for that right note you know that
for that right note you know that spiritual connection Texas blues guitar
spiritual connection Texas blues guitar
spiritual connection Texas blues guitar player Jimmy Vaughn explained it to me
player Jimmy Vaughn explained it to me
player Jimmy Vaughn explained it to me like this
like this
like this he said the Blues contains these values
he said the Blues contains these values
he said the Blues contains these values the space is as important as the notes
the space is as important as the notes
the space is as important as the notes because without that space you don’t
because without that space you don’t
because without that space you don’t allow the listener time to feel what’s
allow the listener time to feel what’s
allow the listener time to feel what’s been said as flavors penetrated deeper
been said as flavors penetrated deeper
been said as flavors penetrated deeper into West Africa they reached the
into West Africa they reached the
into West Africa they reached the Dahomey Kingdom stronghold of the vote
Dahomey Kingdom stronghold of the vote
Dahomey Kingdom stronghold of the vote and religion vota means Great Spirit or
and religion vota means Great Spirit or
and religion vota means Great Spirit or God and is represented by the giant
God and is represented by the giant
God and is represented by the giant snake done carrying the universe in his
snake done carrying the universe in his
snake done carrying the universe in his coils and today in voodoo strongholds
coils and today in voodoo strongholds
coils and today in voodoo strongholds like Haiti in New Orleans
like Haiti in New Orleans
like Haiti in New Orleans Don is worshipped as the grand zombie
Don is worshipped as the grand zombie
Don is worshipped as the grand zombie from the word in the zombie which means
from the word in the zombie which means
from the word in the zombie which means God and when voodoo practitioners
God and when voodoo practitioners
God and when voodoo practitioners gathered a drum and dance they’re
gathered a drum and dance they’re
gathered a drum and dance they’re seeking to experience that holy divine
seeking to experience that holy divine
seeking to experience that holy divine spirit
spirit
spirit but Allah was only going to descend the
but Allah was only going to descend the
but Allah was only going to descend the post of the the center post of the
post of the the center post of the
post of the the center post of the temple to worse to possess or ride a
temple to worse to possess or ride a
temple to worse to possess or ride a worshipper who’s achieved a holy state
worshipper who’s achieved a holy state
worshipper who’s achieved a holy state of consciousness through the strumming
of consciousness through the strumming
of consciousness through the strumming and dancing as the Haitian proverb
and dancing as the Haitian proverb
and dancing as the Haitian proverb states great gods cannot ride little
states great gods cannot ride little
states great gods cannot ride little horses and in the blues you find a lot
horses and in the blues you find a lot
horses and in the blues you find a lot of this writing language with writers
of this writing language with writers
of this writing language with writers and writing and this is where it stems
and writing and this is where it stems
and writing and this is where it stems from African drums can also be used to
from African drums can also be used to
from African drums can also be used to talk because African languages are tonal
talk because African languages are tonal
talk because African languages are tonal so you can kind of mimic speech and this
so you can kind of mimic speech and this
so you can kind of mimic speech and this was discovered in South Carolina in 1739
was discovered in South Carolina in 1739
was discovered in South Carolina in 1739 after a deadly slave rebellion and the
after a deadly slave rebellion and the
after a deadly slave rebellion and the slaves had organized this rebellion by
slaves had organized this rebellion by
slaves had organized this rebellion by communicating with each other with drums
communicating with each other with drums
communicating with each other with drums after this the Black Codes were passed
after this the Black Codes were passed
after this the Black Codes were passed laws in different colonies that were
laws in different colonies that were
laws in different colonies that were severely repressive slaves caught
severely repressive slaves caught
severely repressive slaves caught drumming speaking their languages
drumming speaking their languages
drumming speaking their languages practicing their religions even praying
practicing their religions even praying
practicing their religions even praying were often summarily executed on a spot
were often summarily executed on a spot
were often summarily executed on a spot in the face of this extremely harsh
in the face of this extremely harsh
in the face of this extremely harsh repression slaves turned to another
repression slaves turned to another
repression slaves turned to another aspect of coolness silence in Yoruba
aspect of coolness silence in Yoruba
aspect of coolness silence in Yoruba culture a cool person in silent unless
culture a cool person in silent unless
culture a cool person in silent unless he’s got something important to say
he’s got something important to say
he’s got something important to say his mouth is cool anyway tutu is how
his mouth is cool anyway tutu is how
his mouth is cool anyway tutu is how they would say he fell silent and slaves
they would say he fell silent and slaves
they would say he fell silent and slaves in their descendants used this form of
in their descendants used this form of
in their descendants used this form of coolness silence both to avoid trouble
coolness silence both to avoid trouble
coolness silence both to avoid trouble with white people and also to subtly
with white people and also to subtly
with white people and also to subtly resist them and as a married Baraka
resist them and as a married Baraka
resist them and as a married Baraka wrote in his great book blues people in
wrote in his great book blues people in
wrote in his great book blues people in 1963 in the ghetto coolness took on an
1963 in the ghetto coolness took on an
1963 in the ghetto coolness took on an edge to be cool was to remain calm even
edge to be cool was to remain calm even
edge to be cool was to remain calm even unimpressed with what horror the world
unimpressed with what horror the world
unimpressed with what horror the world might daily propose so this actually
might daily propose so this actually
might daily propose so this actually this very stoic aspect of coolness has
this very stoic aspect of coolness has
this very stoic aspect of coolness has long been tested in West Africa in
long been tested in West Africa in
long been tested in West Africa in raucous verbal duels that are the
raucous verbal duels that are the
raucous verbal duels that are the origins of our rap culture opponents use
origins of our rap culture opponents use
origins of our rap culture opponents use obscenity and slander their mothers each
obscenity and slander their mothers each
obscenity and slander their mothers each other’s mothers because they’re trying
other’s mothers because they’re trying
other’s mothers because they’re trying to get the other guy to losers cool and
to get the other guy to losers cool and
to get the other guy to losers cool and in the United States this survived it’s
in the United States this survived it’s
in the United States this survived it’s a game called
a game called
a game called dozens and in 1930 Memphis Minnie
dozens and in 1930 Memphis Minnie
dozens and in 1930 Memphis Minnie recorded her song new Dirty Dozen which
recorded her song new Dirty Dozen which
recorded her song new Dirty Dozen which is just a song loaded with insults
is just a song loaded with insults
is just a song loaded with insults basically come on folks and start to
basically come on folks and start to
basically come on folks and start to walk I’m fixing to start my dozens talk
walk I’m fixing to start my dozens talk
walk I’m fixing to start my dozens talk what you think about it on my mind that
what you think about it on my mind that
what you think about it on my mind that stuff you got is a story’s kind we’re
stuff you got is a story’s kind we’re
stuff you got is a story’s kind we’re sorry miss Streeter robber and a cheater
sorry miss Streeter robber and a cheater
sorry miss Streeter robber and a cheater piss you in the dozens you Papa and your
piss you in the dozens you Papa and your
piss you in the dozens you Papa and your cousin your mama was lordy Lord so
cousin your mama was lordy Lord so
cousin your mama was lordy Lord so another important concept that survived
another important concept that survived
another important concept that survived the severe repression of slavery was
the severe repression of slavery was
the severe repression of slavery was this idea of divine repression and it’s
this idea of divine repression and it’s
this idea of divine repression and it’s surfaced in black sanctified churches in
surfaced in black sanctified churches in
surfaced in black sanctified churches in the 1800s where parishioners would do
the 1800s where parishioners would do
the 1800s where parishioners would do kind of a shuffle dance following the
kind of a shuffle dance following the
kind of a shuffle dance following the deacon around the table the deacon was
deacon around the table the deacon was
deacon around the table the deacon was holding a standard which was like a
holding a standard which was like a
holding a standard which was like a vestige of the temple center pole and
vestige of the temple center pole and
vestige of the temple center pole and parishioners would cry drop down chariot
parishioners would cry drop down chariot
parishioners would cry drop down chariot and let me ride and ride on King Jesus
and let me ride and ride on King Jesus
and let me ride and ride on King Jesus and this was called rock in the church
and this was called rock in the church
and this was called rock in the church from like 1916 to 1970 some 7 million
from like 1916 to 1970 some 7 million
from like 1916 to 1970 some 7 million African American people left the south
African American people left the south
African American people left the south and they carried these musical
and they carried these musical
and they carried these musical techniques and spiritual ideas about art
techniques and spiritual ideas about art
techniques and spiritual ideas about art out to the rest of the country so guys
out to the rest of the country so guys
out to the rest of the country so guys like Muddy Waters and Howlin wolf who
like Muddy Waters and Howlin wolf who
like Muddy Waters and Howlin wolf who had been delta folk singer started
had been delta folk singer started
had been delta folk singer started electric blues bands in Chicago and they
electric blues bands in Chicago and they
electric blues bands in Chicago and they you know they would have to shout to be
you know they would have to shout to be
you know they would have to shout to be heard over these booze bands so they
heard over these booze bands so they
heard over these booze bands so they relied on gospel singing technique and
relied on gospel singing technique and
relied on gospel singing technique and developed this new shouting blues that
developed this new shouting blues that
developed this new shouting blues that radio beamed all over black America you
radio beamed all over black America you
radio beamed all over black America you had performers like Little Richard and
had performers like Little Richard and
had performers like Little Richard and screamin Jay Hawkins who performed as if
screamin Jay Hawkins who performed as if
screamin Jay Hawkins who performed as if possessed Elvis Presley started shaking
possessed Elvis Presley started shaking
possessed Elvis Presley started shaking and shouting and even white teens
and shouting and even white teens
and shouting and even white teens started rocking as Africans became
started rocking as Africans became
started rocking as Africans became Americans they had encoded in the blues
Americans they had encoded in the blues
Americans they had encoded in the blues not only their pain and suffering but
not only their pain and suffering but
not only their pain and suffering but also these profound ideas and musical
also these profound ideas and musical
also these profound ideas and musical techniques and concepts about
techniques and concepts about
techniques and concepts about consciousness
consciousness
consciousness that informed the way that we listen to
that informed the way that we listen to
that informed the way that we listen to music today and the way that we
music today and the way that we
music today and the way that we appreciate it and this stuff was so
appreciate it and this stuff was so
appreciate it and this stuff was so potent but at birth rock and roll and
potent but at birth rock and roll and
potent but at birth rock and roll and jazz within decades of its own
jazz within decades of its own
jazz within decades of its own conception because you know sometimes
conception because you know sometimes
conception because you know sometimes from our own pain we create a fortress
from our own pain we create a fortress
from our own pain we create a fortress of music so impenetrable that other
of music so impenetrable that other
of music so impenetrable that other people just walk away and leave us alone
people just walk away and leave us alone
people just walk away and leave us alone but sometimes we create a sound so
but sometimes we create a sound so
but sometimes we create a sound so universally compelling that people
universally compelling that people
universally compelling that people outside our own are struck in their
outside our own are struck in their
outside our own are struck in their hearts suddenly they see us they feel us
hearts suddenly they see us they feel us
hearts suddenly they see us they feel us and we’re not any different than they
and we’re not any different than they
and we’re not any different than they are and they realize that maybe for the
are and they realize that maybe for the
are and they realize that maybe for the first time the culture and the ethics
first time the culture and the ethics
first time the culture and the ethics that West African captives carried with
that West African captives carried with
that West African captives carried with them survived the shock of their
them survived the shock of their
them survived the shock of their transplantation to an entirely new world
transplantation to an entirely new world
transplantation to an entirely new world and invigorated a young nation although
and invigorated a young nation although
and invigorated a young nation although ill-fate brought so many West African
ill-fate brought so many West African
ill-fate brought so many West African people here in Chains we’re blessed that
people here in Chains we’re blessed that
people here in Chains we’re blessed that they arrived because it’s their
they arrived because it’s their
they arrived because it’s their influence that makes us uniquely
influence that makes us uniquely
influence that makes us uniquely American and uniquely cool thank you
American and uniquely cool thank you
American and uniquely cool thank you [Applause]
”
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