Escaping The Delta: Robert Johnson and The Invention of The Blues by Elijah Wald (2004). In this history of blues music and now-legendary performer, Robert Johnson, Wald opens by saying, "There has probably been more romantic foolishness written about the blues in general, and Robert Johnson in particular, than about any other genre or performer of the twentieth century. As white urbanites discovered the 'Race records' of the 1920s and 1930s, they reshaped the music to fit their own tastes and desires, creating a rich mythology that often bears little resemblance to the reality of the musicians they admired." Meeting the challenge he sets himself here, Wald lays out a heavily researched history which examines the music in the context of its original audience and time. The artists who were actually most popular with the African-American audience when new, are often those who have been dismissed by the latter-day blues fans. Wald also traces the influences and sources of Johnson's music -- and good as his music was, his recordings were nowhere near as influential as some would have it (unless you want to talk about his influence on white boys, a few decades later). The simple, acoustic blues style was already on its way out, and Johnson probably would have evolved along with the changes -- he being no primitive backwoods savant, but a well-skilled, well-traveled and versatile professional musician. Wald does not dismiss Johnson, by any means. The heart of the book is a song-by-song analysis of his recordings, which will probably have you pulling out your platters for another careful listen. This is all placed in context of a clear-eyed overview of blues history from the perspective of its original audience and setting.