You may remember from the Parchman Documentary that Bukka White wrote the song "Parchman Farm Blues." Before you read this post, check out the song!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM23S12LXaEE
You might be wondering (as I did), who is Bukka White, and how did he end up in Parchman?
Bukka White was born Booker T. Washington White in Houston, Mississippi. His father bought him his first guitar, and his relationship with Delta Blues Legend Charley Patton shaped his musical style. Bukka White recorded some tunes, but before his song "Shake 'Em on Down" could become a hit, Bukka White landed himself in jail.
Bukka White occupied a prison cell in Parchman from 1937-1940, serving time for assault. But what was White's side of the story? White claimed that he shot a man in self-defense. White shot the man in the thigh, probably so that he could injure but not kill. But we'll never know what really happened! Although White ended up in prison, he managed to make the most of the experience. He was well-liked by the inmates and the prison guards and recorded some music during his stay. Immediately after White served time in Parchman, he released "Parchman Farm Blues" and other Delta Blues' classics.
Calling all music critics! What do you think of "Parchman Farm Blues"?
Source:
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bukka-white-mn0000527379/biography
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2 comments:
I think Parchman Farm Blues is a great song that really captures the genre of the delta blues as a whole through the mentions of leaving his wife, working daily, and Parchman by name. From reading Sing Unburied Sing and talking in class, it seems as though Parchman and the culture of the delta cannot be independent of the other. Parchman advanced the growth of the delta blues through the struggle and the desire to escape.
Unlike others I have no expertise in music and I’m not much of a music critic. However, I agree with what Sophia said about the importance of Parchman Farm Blues. I looked through the comments of the video and it was very nice to see that at least a dozen other people, perhaps with more experience in listening to blues music, think that Parchman Farm Blues was one of the greatest blues songs ever created. In addition, those making the comments understand the background of the song concerning Parchman like us.
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