Previous chapter
Next chapter

Chapter 40: The Honeydripper

Blues, New Orleans blues & zydeco

A paradox of blues music, particularly as it began to evolve into rock and R&B, is how happy it sounds in the right hands. Zydeco retains the basic structural spine of blues, but changes the tone from a raw outpouring of pain to untethered celebration. Alongside a couple proto-rock blues classics (like the irresistible “Honeydripper”), the soul of this chapter resides in New Orleans, with giddy hits from the likes of Clifton Chenier and Professor Longhair.
1. B.B. King

Catfish Blues

2. Clarence Garlow

Bon Ton Roula

3. Professor Longhair

Tipitina

4. Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers

The Honeydripper

5. Billy Ward & The Dominoes

Sixty Minute Man

6. Lloyd Price

Stagger Lee

7. Sonny Terry

Whoopin' the Blues

8. John Delafose

Joe Pete Got Two Women

9. Nathan Abshire

Pine Grove Blues

10. Clifton Chenier

Lafayette Waltz