Week 5
Vocal Week
Blues, Spirituals, & Black String Bands
Rhiannon Giddens

‘This class will cover the often forgotten period of African American music -the music of rural life after slavery but before the exodus to the cities in the late 1800's.  We will cover ballads, worksongs, black string band tunes and country blues, and talk a little about life for black folk during this time.  In "Run, Jimmy, Run", who is he running from?  And was it originally "Jimmy" or another word?  Modern political correctness must be left at the door in this class.’ – RG