Beyond the Crossroads The Devil and the Blues Tradition (longer preview)

A new book by scholar and blues musician Adam Gussow, an associate professor at the University of Mississippi, published by the University of North Carolina Press.
Here are two places to buy the book:
Amazon: www.amazon.com...
UNC Press: www.uncpress.o...
Spotify playlist: open.spotify.c...
KZbin playlist: • Beyond the Crossroads:...
Here are some upcoming book-tour appearances:
10/1/17: Clarksdale, MS - Levon's Bar & Grill (Blues Doctors, 3:30 - 6:30) Publication party for Beyond the Crossroads: The Devil and the Blues Tradition! Books available for purchase and signing.
10/2/17: Cleveland, MS - Delta State University (paper on Clarksdale's "The Crossroads" presented at the International Conference on the Blues, 2-2:50 PM) Official pub date for Beyond the Crossroads!
10/6/17: Poughkeepsie, NY - WVKR 91.3 FM (on-air w/Nick Delay re: Beyond the Crossroads interview, 11 AM EST)
10/6/17: Sirius/XM channel 121 - "Tell Me Everything" with John Fugelsang (Beyond the Crossroads interview, 2:35-2:56 EST)
10/6/17: Helena, AR - King Biscuit Blues Festival (Blues Doctors busking, 4-8 PM)
10/7/17: Vicksburg, MS - Lorelei Books (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 4 PM)
10/10/17: Greenwood, MS - Turnrow Books (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 5:30 PM)
10/12/17: Oxford, MS - Thacker Mountain Radio (Beyond the Crossroads interview, 6 PM)
10/13/17: Jackson, MS - Lemuria Books (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 5 PM)
10/13/17: Jackson, MS - Fenian's Pub (Blues Doctors, 9-12 PM)
10/14/17: Tallulah, LA - Teddy's Bear Fest (Blues Doctors, 4 PM)
10/19/17: Pontotoc, MS - Lep's BBQ (Blues Doctors, 7:30 - 10 PM)
10/27/17: Bristol, UK - National Harmonica League (details TBA)
10/28/17: Bristol, UK - National Harmonica League (details TBA)
10/29/17: Bristol, UK - National Harmonica League (details TBA)
11/1/17: Oxford, MS - Brown Bag talk @ Center for the Study of Southern Culture (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 12 noon)
11/3/17: Indianapolis, IN - Centerpoint Brewing Company (Beyond the Crossroads pub party - Blues Doctors + Russell Huffer, 6-10 PM)
11/4/17: Chicago, IL & everywhere - Author's Voice virtual book signing (1-1:30 PM TBA)
11/4/17: Chicago, IL - 57th Street Books (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 3 PM)
11/4/17: Chicago, IL - Rosa's Lounge (Beyond the Crossroads publication party - Blues Doctors, 8 - 10:30 PM)
12/7/17: Lowell, MA - TBA
12/8/17: Lowell, MA - TBA
12/12/17: New Orleans, LA - Garden District Book Shop (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 6 - 7:30 PM)
3/8/18: Atlanta, GA - bookstore appearance TBA
3/10/18: Hartford, CT - Black Eyed Sally's (Northeast Blues Harmonica Showcase - Blues Doctors and others TBA, 9 - 12 midnight)
3/12/18: Princeton, NJ - Labyrinth Books (Beyond the Crossroads talk + Blues Doctors, TBA)
3/13/18: Madison, NJ - Short Stories Bookstore (Beyond the Crossroads talk, 7-8 PM)
3/14/17: Newark, DE - University of Delaware (Beyond the Crossroads talk + Blues Doctors, TBA)

[@timster716]

As with your great harmonica lessons, your enthusiasm is so contagious. I am gonna get a copy. Thanks for all your great contributions.

[@simonandrews3466]

Adam I admire how tirelessly you labour for the blues cause. I have bought you new book from amazon. I hope you do well. I have read the first page and I'm hooked already!

[@OmniphonProductions]

Considering how much I loved your video mini-series on this topic, I can't wait to read the book. I just have to finish my second reading of Busker's Holiday first. 😉

[@ericwiesner3683]

Good God man, you are the blues version of a renaissance man. A bluesissance man? Next paycheck I for sure am going to purchase your book. Thanks for all you do for us aspiring blues harp players.

[@bobco5]

right up my alley! Harmonica the blues and the Devil ! Huge crossroads fan as well, that movie blew my mind back in the 80's as a long haired guitar aficionado, oh how I do miss the hair ! Paperback is on its way, can't wait to hold it, thanks Adam ! Shout out at the devil/blues from Winnipeg Canada !

[@6692669266926692]

Adam, I bought the kindle edition of "Beyond" and after reading about half way I suddenly realized "Satans Apprentice" must be GREAT! So now I am almost through that, couldn't put it down, then back to "Beyond". Thanks for all the hard work you put into both of these treasures for blues lovers. I feel like I know you a little better, and am inspired to try again with blues harp. It's daunting, but any instrument is a lifetime endevour, I started guitar on an unplayable box I bought while in VietNam and after all these years of playing am still awed at the possibilities still to be mined from that instrument. I feel very inadequate on the harp, but your books have inspired me to try again, thank you..... James

[@MessengersoftheCross]

Hey Adam. Purchased book this morning. Thanks for your hard work and research. Obviously the 1986 movie Crossroads had a big impact on my life. Still my favorite movie.

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I'll be very interested in hearing what you think of my arguments about that film.

[@edouglaspratt]

Adam and all...I'm awed by this overview. Your "stage presence", Adam, is genuine, down-to-earth, and erudite. I can tell this book is a significant, even a major contribution to Blues scholarship, USAmerican mythology and pop culture studies. Personally, I've done some avocational field research in the Delta and thought about the reality of The Devil concept vis a vis The Myth in Blues culture. You articulate a few of my hunches; more importantly you articulate so much of what I've experienced as impressions and couldn't find the words to express. Especially without the research evidence you've obtained. Buyin "Beyond The Crossroads" and will enthusiastically encourage my friends to buy it also. The very best to you, sir. Doug Pratt Atlanta, Georgia, USA

[@kevinobrien6837]

you truly are great.

[@glennaustin6940]

Genius!, Nothing more said...

[@belleray2]

Thanks Adam. Still in love with my harp, thanks to you.

[@shamshermann]

Totally buying it now - respect, from India. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@WolfsBlues]

Hey Adam... just ordered your book from amazon uk!! Can’t wait to read it. You are a true inspiration! Thanks.

[@Bluebuthappy182]

Sounds an interesting book. I'll check it out.

[@zugzwangzzyxx7764]

Strangely enough as I was reading your fantastic book a song came on the radio by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds called "Higgs Boson Blues", which references the Robert Johnson legend. There's a line that goes something like " Robert Johnson and the devil standing at the crossroads, Wonder who's gonna rip off who". Spooky! Anyway thank you for such a brilliant book, a great addition to my Blues Bookshelf alongside Paul Oliver, Elijah Wald and the rest. Check out the Nick Cave song if you don't know it!

[@gussowsclassicbluesharmoni2726]

I'm happy to have my name as a blues scholar mentioned in the same sentence as Paul Oliver (the maestro) and Elijah Wald (a true trailblazer whose book I have taught in a half dozen classes.

[@munichman1968]

Hi Adam I ordered it via amazon. Looking forward to reading it! Cheers from Germany Roberto Ps: I love your harmonica teaching videos!!

[@LafayetteLeSaint]

Professor Gussow loved this video it taught me a number of things I didn't know. Are there any plans of making your book into an e-book? Being a pohr wite boy $92 is a bit much for me.

[@chrisb4907]

Paperback is out

[@stouthearttrt2967]

I just finished Mister Satan’s Apprentice on audiobook. Damn Mister Gussow, what a wild ride. I loved it and it made my love for the music and harmonica even deeper. I’m sure Mister Satan is proud. I can’t wait to get me hands on this one. Any chance of Buskers Holiday on audiobook in the future?

[@MessengersoftheCross]

Great job on your "Crossroads" movie argument. For the most part I agree. Would love to expound more with you in person.

[@Veaseify]

I will certainly purchase this book but just from your synopsis it sounds a little like how Black Sabbath were promoted and written about as if they were devil worshipping practicioners of Black Magic. In reality they were four ordinary working class blokes from Birmingham (England) who loved horror movies and had a guitarist who wrote music that sounded like the soundtrack to those movies and a bass player who wrote lyrics to match. This set a template for later bands in that genre to follow, but it was always more style than substance. Blues scholarship is certainly a lot deeper and more sociological than Heavy Metal scholarship (if there is such a thing) but the basic principles sound familiar...

[@chrisc9755]

The kindle version doesn't seem to be available in the UK. do you know if your publisher has any plans to release it here? - I don't read m a ny paper books these days. I loved the elijah walde biography of Robert Johnson and this sounds like the kind of book I'd want to read. Live your music too👍

[@MessengersoftheCross]

Ok Adam, I am nearly done with chapter on movie "Crossroads". So far, so good. I personally believe there are multi-facet meanings portrayed in the film. Should I email, or post here?

[@citysurvivor1272]

Hi Adam I was wondering wich comb you prefer wood or plastic. I don't have the money to buy them new and am buying them used or seller refurbeshed. if it is wood I would seal it myself but i was wondering if I could clean it. thanks elijah

[@JennyEverywhere]

Bought it in Kindle format.

[@LafayetteLeSaint]

I'm bad. Didn't see your comment until after I wrote mine. Here I come Amazon.

[@TheWriteonewritenow]

You had me at the devil 😈

[@Timbyte]

overthinking, just a bit