Week 1
Introduction to the course
Precursors of Rock: Tin Pan Alley, the Blues, Jump Blues, Country, the Recording Industry
Read: Chapter 1
1. Robert Christgau, "B.E.: A Dozen Moments in the Prehistory of Rock and Roll," pp. 4–8.
2. David Hajdu, Sheet Music, Tin Pan Alley, Crooners, and Billboard, 8–11.
3. Kyle Crichton, "Thar's Gold in Them Hillbillies," pp. 12–15.
4. David Hajdu, The Carter Family, pp. 15–17.
5. Fred Dellar, "Hank Williams," pp. 17–25.
6. Cliff White , "… Howlin' for the Wolf," pp. 26–28.
7. David Hajdu, Early Blues Mamas, pp. 28–29.
8. Peter Guralnick, "Blues in History: A Quick Sketch," pp. 29–33.
9. David Hajdu, Jump Blues, pp. 33–34.
10. Cliff White, "Louis Jordan," pp. 34–38.
11. Dave Headlam, "Appropriations of blues and gospel in popular music," pp. 38–41.
Extra: 10. Sylvie Simmons, "The Carter Family: Into the Valley," pp. 41–45.
Mamie Smith, "Crazy Blues," 1920
Bessie Smith, "St Louis Blues," 1925
Jimmie Rodgers, "The Brakeman's Blues," 1928
The Carter Family, "Can the Circle be Unbroken?," 1935
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, "That's All Right," 1946
Hank Williams, "Move it On Over," 1947
Louis Jordan, "Saturday Night Fish Fry," 1950
Jackie Brenston (Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm), "Rocket 88," 1951
Les Paul & Mary Ford, "How High the Moon," 1951
Joe Turner, "Shake Rattle and Roll," 1954
Howlin' Wolf, "Smokestack Lighting," 1956
Lightnin' Hopkins, "Tom Moore Blues," 1967