Give Us the Yellow Dog Blues

W.C. Handy was the first to publish a body of songs identified as blues, based on lyrics and melodies from black Southern culture, that became known throughout America. Two of his biggest hits, “St. Louis Blues” and “Yellow Dog Blues,” were published in 1914, making the year a turning point in the history of the blues.

In honor of the songs’ centennial, we have an assignment for listeners:

ENTER: 1914 Blues Challenge
Record your own version of “Yellow Dog Blues.” It can be in any style, with any instrumentation, as traditional or as radically different as you’d like.
Marc Anthony Thompson (a.k.a. Chocolate Genius) will judge the entries.
The deadline to be considered for our challenge is Monday, June 16.
See the sheet music and submit your composition here

Here are the entries featured in this week’s show:

Allison Leyton-Brown of Brooklyn, NY, submitted this traditional blues version that happens to rock the talents of Tony Award-nominated Alison Fraser.

And Kelly Pratt submitted this soulful indie electro pop take on the blues. Pratt records as Bright Moments and has played with David Byrne and St. Vincent, Beirut, and Arcade Fire.