Gabriel Novak

MUHI 314, Brittan

Reading Response 2
Response to Gioia
Gioias chapter on the Dockery Plantation offers an interesting insight and perspective
on the business side of the Delta Blues. Although it was almost 100 years ago, it seems as
though almost nothing has changed when it comes to the attitude and antics of the music
industry. As beautiful as it is to have a romanticized view of the old blues recordings we listen
to, (and dont get me wrong, it is beautiful) Gioia reminds us that nearly every move and
attempt to record and catalogue this music was merely to put cash in the pockets of a few large
record labels/studios. Gioias piece mentions many Delta musicians, though focuses primarily on
the life and career of Charley Patton. He worked on the Dockery Plantation, which is where
some people argue the blues was essentially born, though we know this isnt completely
accurate. Patton had a scrawny, raggedy appearance, a sharp tongue, a voice that could shake
buildings, and was, despite a fairer complexion, black. His quick wit also carried over to his
performance, through his lyrical content as well as his incredibly virtuosic playing. Despite his
heavy, serious voice, his music has a certain sense of informality and playfulness to it. Gioia
speaks about Pattons seamless blending of his guitar and voice practically in a divine way. He
explains it as though the guitar was merely an extension of Pattons own self. They completed
each others thoughts and blended into one another seamlessly. Gioia explains that although
there were some good voices, some skill, and originality in the Delta, Patton was one of the few
that seemed to have it all in one incredible package. Patton was discovered by a man named
Henry Speir, who had an ear for music better than almost anyone else at the time. Combining
Speirs ear with his business sense and drive created quite the powerful capitalist. Speir

discovered just about all the greats to ever come out of the Delta. And not only did he have
good taste when it came to the blues, he knew how to market it better than anyone else. The
progress of recording technology led to higher demand of this music, though the interest of
black music among white culture did not really mean a progression in the mindset of racial
equality.
Quotes:
Patents, mergers, takeovers, daring diversification moves, battles for market share, hardware
companies moving into software; the story here is not altogether different from the overheated
struggles between start-up ventures in the early days of personal computers and the Internet.
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I love this quote because I think it is one of the most clear cut examples and interesting
comparisons of the music industry as a business venture.

he was now a celebrity of sortswomen, money, a certain degree of freedom

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This quote is a great example of how not much has changed (or rather, used to be
different) in the music business. Charley Patton in many ways, was not too much different
than the rock stars of today when they are finally graced with fame. And a great precursor
to the Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll mentality a genre that feeds directly out of the
blues lineage.