Rollin' and Tumblin': The Postwar Blues Guitarists

by Jas Obrecht (Editor)

This is the most comprehensive and insightful study ever published on the pioneers of electric blues guitar – including the great Chicago, Mississippi Delta, Louisiana, Texas and West Coast bluesmen. Rollin' and Tumblin' offers extensive interviews with some of the world's most famous blues guitarists, and poignant profiles of historical blues figures. Following a sweeping portrait of blues guitar history, the book features such players as T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins and many more.

Genres: Music

466 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

Jas Obrecht was a staff editor for Guitar Player, 1978-1998. The author of several books, he runs the Talking Guitar YouTube channel and online magazine at jasobrecht.substack.com.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big blues fan, so when I stumbled across this book on a library sale shelf several years ago, it was like finding buried treasure. This is a collection of biographical essays on the legendary bluesmen of the 50's and 60's, from Muddy Waters and B.B. King to Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, and almost two dozen others. Stories of key events in their lives and careers are mixed with interviews and anecdotes shared by friends and bandmates, and sometimes the guitarists themselves (those who are still alive). If you enjoy the blues and were ever curious to know more about the men behind the music, then this is an absolute must-read.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollin' and Tumblin' a look at the postwar blues guitarists edited by Jas Obrecht takes a personal look at the many men who pioneered electric blues and had a profound effect on rock and roll and pop music as we know it today.
Many of these gentlemen are largely unsung guitar heroes today. The book provides a wonderful look at their varied and interesting lives and the humanity that they displayed in the past and some continue to display today.

The book provides a close look at the lives of many bluesmen, some of whom have learned the secrets of staying power and longevity and some of whom lived quick hard lives. While reading the book you feel as if you are getting to know some of these people. Some of them are arrogant and cantankerous and some appear to be genuine kind people. whatever their personalities, there love for the music which they have dedicated their lives to comes through and makes me glad that I am able to listen to it and appreciate it.

[Crowey]

Excellent book that is primarily a bunch of interviews of fascinating bluesmen such as BB King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Guitar Slim, T-Bone Walker, etc. By allowing these people to speak for themselves we get a much greater understanding of them and their music. Highly recommended.

[Matthew Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the brief overview of the lives of some of these great guitarists, but the interviews were sometimes tedious.

[John Parroccini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about the great musicians that went largely unrecognized and under appreciated. Very informative and entertaining.

[G Scott]

this book is for snobby blues fans only. the bios are cool but the interview portions can be a bit on the tedious side.