Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues

A companion book to the PBS documentary series exploring the history of the blues and its contribution to American culture and music worldwide.

A companion to the groundbreaking documentary series, this volume is a unique and timeless celebration of the blues, from writers and artists as esteemed and revered as the music that moved them.

Included in this stunning collection are:

• Essays by David Halberstam, Hilton Als, Suzan-Lori Parks, Elmore Leonard, Luc Sante, John Edgar Wideman, and many others
• Timeless archival pieces by writers such as Stanley Booth, Paul Oliver, and Mack McCormick
• Evocative color illustrations and rare vintage photography
• Illuminating and in-depth conversations and portraits of musicians, ranging from Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith to John Lee Hooker and Eric Clapton
• Lyrics of legendary blues compositions
• Personal essays by the series directors Martin Scorsese, Charles Burnett, Richard Pearce, Wim Wenders, Marc Levin, Mike Figgis, and Clint Eastwood
• Excerpts from literary masters James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Eudora Welty, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and William Faulkner

Tracing the art form’s path from juke joints, house parties, and recording studios to musicians such as Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues proves, in the words of Willie Dixon, “The blues are the roots; every-thing else is the fruits.”

Praise for Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues

“Richly detailed . . . the book has a wealth of material with a lot of riffs and personal takes by talented writers.” —USA Today

“A must-read for any blues fans.” —Chicago Tribune

“Essential . . . for anyone who cares about American history, black culture, and current music.” —Miami Herald

“Even if you’re a blues hound with hundreds of discs in your collection, this book is a learning experience, and richly enjoyable.” —Kansas City Star