Memphis Blues
Memphis claims ownership of just about every major blues, soul, and early rock & roll artist, and if you count all the artists that made the trek to record at the iconic Sun and Stax studios, those claims have legitimacy. Sun Studio, which recorded the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, is the size of a small studio apartment, located on a nondescript corner of downtown Memphis. To think of all the talent that has passed through its doors makes standing in the diminutive structure a goose-bump of a rock & roll experience. Pressings of those original 45 rpm singles are for sale if you have the ability to drop $50 – $75 for each plate of vinyl.
It was the Black Cadillacs that brought me to Memphis however – a rootsy blues-based band that was headlining at the scruffy Hi-Tone club, but Beale Street captured my heart. A music mecca, not as ranging and raucous as Bourbon Street (see my blog dated June 29, 2014) but fully packed with music clubs laden with local talent, Beale is a blues fan’s dream. The music starts at 10am, even on a cold winter day, and goes full bore until 3am. Cover is never more than $5, and the local food is Mississippi good.
Probably my favorite moment of the short road trip though, was finding a small historical marker in front of a defunct brick building. I had to move a trash can in front of the marker to see what had occurred at this lonely corner. In 1909 the lower floor was the site of the P. Wee Saloon, where a young musician penned a song at the cigar counter. After being re-worked the song is now considered to be the first blues song ever written, titled “Mr. Crump” at the time, but later renamed by posterity as “Memphis Blues.” The composer, W.C. Handy, the father of blues music, is commemorated in a statue on the edge of Beale Street. What a fantastic find.
berowne.com 
April 2, 2015 at 12:47 am
Being a lover of music, you need to put the Musical Instrument Museum on your list. WOW. Over EIGHT THOUSAND different instruments from all over the globe on display, with another 10,000 in storage actively being restored. Think about how many instruments that is. Eighteen THOUSAND. I was in total awe, after mere curiosity drew me to the place. Reality sunk in quickly…I only know a fraction of what is really out there.
Along the lines of your most recent post, in the U.S. Blues section, there is a signed harmonica collage by all the greats that will leave you grinning ear to ear and nodding your head.
The museum is not only beautiful, but meticulously detailed by region…widely by continent, and then an even further deep dive, by country. There is a detailed time frame of the instrument’s impact on the music world and its relevance today. Who knew they were all so connected over time. Again…WOW.
It was such an educational and truly amazing experience, that I recommend it for anyone of all ages who is interested in music. Whether you play, compose, or simply enjoy listening, you will love this place if you have the time to really explore it and take it in.
The founders strived for it to be world class, and they succeeded. The extensive time and resources it must have taken to secure these instruments from all over the world, and to then document the history of them, is unbelievably impressive. Put it on your “short road trip” list, David. It won’t disappoint.
Oh–and I happened to be standing next to an elderly couple from New Orleans while I was in the Jazz section. They were giddy about what they saw, so of course, I had to engage them. They knew about the documented artists in front of them, whom I had never even heard of. We had a chat about New Orleans and Frenchman Street, which I also love (and you reference in this post). They swing by for live music once a month for a night on the town. It was very cute. 🙂
But truly, this place is way cool and right up your alley. Check it out.