In this unique and fascinating book photographer Michelle
Vignes creates a portrait of the blues scene in the San Francisco Bay
Area and shows a side of the music world that is seldom brought into
public view. As Lee Hildebrand explains in the introduction, "Unlike the
better-known Chicago variety, which came north from Mississippi, (Bay
Area) blues is rooted in the African-American musical traditions of
Texas and Louisiana." It is known for its slow beat and mournful sound.
Over the course of three years in the early 1980s, Vignes took her
camera and followed that sound to blues clubs in Oakland, San Francisco
and Berkley, as well as to outdoor festivals and the homes and churches
of musicians, customers and club employees. Taking her time, she got to
know the musicians and customers first and snapped photographs later.
The result is a series of deeply evocative black-and-white photographs
covering an amazing cross section of Northern California blues men and
women, some legendary, others little known, plus several international
figures who were touring in the area. Included here are Vignes's
photogrpahs of Lowell Fulson, Johnny B. Good, Sonny Rhodes, Cool Papa,
J.J. Malone, Troyce Key, Beverly Stovall, Jimmy McCracklin, Willie
Dixon, Albert King, Maxine Howard, John Lee Hooker, Dottie Ivory,
Maurice McKinnies, Buddy Ace and many others.
Together Vignes's remarkable images and Lee Hildebrand's informative and
engaging text make this book a noteworthy guide to the players, patrons
and places of Bay Area blues.