The Devil's Music

Alexis Korner delves into the soulful world of traditional black American Blues music. Exploring its origins and reviewing unique footage of acclaimed Blues artists including Sonny Blake, Sam Chatmon, Houston Stackhouse and Booker White.

Blues music was also often sung by travelling singers on the American music circuit. Performers such as Laura Dukes captivated on-the-road audiences, and similar Blues performers were also frequently featured in travelling minstrel shows. Alexis Korner continues in his exploration into the soulful world of American Blues music, discovering that Blues songs were often based on the singers' home town.

A performance of Bring It On Home To Me, with Joe Willie Wilkins on guitar, LT Lewis on drums, and Sonny Blake on vocals and harmonica.

Alexis Korner describes Big Joe Williams' early career making a living playing the Blues to plantation workers in the fields. With his customised nine string guitar, Big Joe performs in his birthplace of Crawford, Mississippi.