Blood on the Cotton: A Historical Interpretation of Texas Blues Music by Glenn D. Davis and Jay Brakefield Glenn D. Davis and Jay Brakefield collaborate on this intimate look at Texas blues music through the lens of slavery and other influences. Most interesting to note is how blues music as a whole, but especially in Texas, can be linked back to the Brazos Valley.
Navasota is considered the Blues Capital of Texas and had a large impact on the blues throughout Texas, but also nationwide. Davis and Brakefield explore local Mance Libscomb’s influence on other blues artists, the spread of blues throughout Texas, and the heavy undertones of slavery in early blues music. The authors also feature other prominent Texas artists including Blind Lemon Jefferson, Janis Joplin, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others.
Much of the background focuses on slavery in the Brazos Valley, but the novel travels to Austin and Dallas as well, where blues has a prominent impact on the music scene of both cities. It’s an informative, historical novel on not only the history of blues, but an often overlooked aspect of the Brazos Valley’s humble beginnings.
Blood on the Cotton is available as an e-book.
Are you a local author? Would you like your book to be featured in INSITE Magazine? Email shelbi@insitebrazosvalley.com for more information.
