Book of the Blues, The

"The Book of the Blues contains the largest collection of authentic blues ever compiled. Many of these songs, although classics on records, have never before been available in a collection. Here, for folk singer and folklore scholar, jazz collector and singer, professional and amateur guitarist, banjo player and pianist, are the true blues melodic passages, characteristic harmonic flavor ("blue" notes and suspensions), basic rhythmic quality, and genuine lyric content of the songs. Here are the essential origins and structures of the blues, providing an excellent source of study of teacher, student and professional performer alike."