Son House
Overview
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
singer and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. House pioneered an innovative style featuring strong, repetitive rhythms, often played with the aid of slide guitar
Slide guitar
Slide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles...
, and his singing often incorporated elements of southern gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
and spiritual
Spiritual (music)
Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
music. House did not learn guitar until he was in his early twenties, as he had been "churchified", and was determined to become a Baptist preacher.
Quotations
You can sing the blues in church if you use the words right.
In concert, London, 1970
The blues is not a plaything like some people think they are.
In concert, London, 1970
Don't never follow your first mind, cause that's the one that's wrong. 'Cause the Devil beats God to you every time.
In concert, London, 1970
Think twice and speak once sometime.
In concert, London, 1970