The Contribution of Rosetta Tharpe and Bonnie Raitt to the Blues Genre

Duffy, Grainne (2023) The Contribution of Rosetta Tharpe and Bonnie Raitt to the Blues Genre. Doctoral thesis, Dundalk Institute of Technology.

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Abstract

This thesis addresses the contribution of Rosetta Tharpe and Bonnie Raitt as pioneering women in blues music in the twentieth century. Through two case studies of repertoire analysis, this thesis aims to highlight reasons for the gap in knowledge and appreciation for women in blues music. This analysis will use guiding theoretical concepts including intersectionality, masculine domination, signifyin(g), blues canon and crossover to explore their reception and appreciation. Through the case studies and repertoire analysis, which examines the cultural importance of women in blues music, this research highlights how Tharpe and Raitt contributed significantly to the blues genre. This study investigates how Tharpe and Raitt contributed to the interpretation of the blues, and how they challenged genre boundaries and evolved their performance styles in live recordings and performances. This is analysed through a cultural lens and performance perspective via lecture recitals. The themes of reception, gender and music are investigated as decisive factors in the appreciation of Tharpe and Raitt. Research methodologies utilised include practice-based research and music analysis, taking a sociocultural perspective, incorporating close analysis of specific songs. The lecture recitals address how influential they were in formulating their musical identities and performing personas. The thesis highlights their importance as cultural expressions within the blues genre, which culminates as two outputs: a thesis that comprises cultural reception study and three lecture recitals that interrogate, analyse and re-imagine the artists’ live performance styles. My own practice-based lecture recital demonstrates the influence of both artists in my own development as a performing blues artist. This research traces the influential careers of both artists, their achievements, key musical events, and their reception and legacy as female blues artists, contributing to the burgeoning field of women in popular music and the role of female guitarists in blues and modern music.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Arts and Humanities > Music
Research Centres:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	Georgina Hughes
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2023 15:01
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2023 15:01
License:	Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0
URI:	https://eprints.dkit.ie/id/eprint/852

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