Título: Blind Lemon Jefferson
Seção: Success with Paramount Records
Background: Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson (September 24, 1893 - December 19, 1929) was an American blues and gospel singer, songwriter, and musician. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s and has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues". Jefferson's performances were distinctive because of his high-pitched voice and the originality of his guitar playing. His recordings sold well, but he was not a strong influence on younger blues singers of his generation, who could not imitate him as easily as they could other commercially successful artists.

Conteúdo: Largely because of the popularity of artists such as Jefferson and his contemporaries Blind Blake and Ma Rainey, Paramount became the leading recording company for the blues in the 1920s. Jefferson's earnings reputedly enabled him to buy a car and employ chauffeurs (this information has been disputed); he was given a Ford car "worth over $700" by Mayo Williams, Paramount's connection with the black community. This was a common compensation for recording rights in that market. Jefferson is known to have done an unusual amount of traveling for the time in the American South, which is reflected in the difficulty of placing his music in a single regional category.  Jefferson's "old-fashioned" sound and confident musicianship made it easy to market him. His skillful guitar playing and impressive vocal range opened the door for a new generation of male solo blues performers, such as Furry Lewis, Charlie Patton, and Barbecue Bob. He stuck to no musical conventions, varying his riffs and rhythm and singing complex and expressive lyrics in a manner exceptional at the time for a "simple country blues singer." According to the North Carolina musician Walter Davis, Jefferson played on the streets in Johnson City, Tennessee, during the early 1920s, at which time Davis and the entertainer Clarence Greene learned the art of blues guitar.  Jefferson was reputedly unhappy with his royalties (although Williams said that Jefferson had a bank account containing as much as $1500). In 1927, when W

user: When did he begin with Paramount records?

assistant: Paramount became the leading recording company for the blues in the 1920s.

user: What was their significance for Jefferson?

assistant: Jefferson's earnings reputedly enabled him to buy a car and employ chauffeurs

user: Did Jefferson sing for them?

assistant: Jefferson's "old-fashioned" sound and confident musicianship made it easy to market him.

user: Was he a hit with the public?

assistant: varying his riffs and rhythm and singing complex and expressive lyrics in a manner exceptional at the time for a "simple country blues singer."

user: Did he set any records?

assistant: "Matchbox Blues" had already become such a hit that Paramount re-recorded and released two new versions,

user: Did he have a spouse or family during this time?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: Is there anything else interesting I should know?

assistant: Jefferson was reputedly unhappy with his royalties (although Williams said that Jefferson had a bank account containing as much as $1500).