The Devil's Son-in-Law by Paul Garon (Edited by Paul Oliver)

Part of an incredible series of books put out by Studio Vista documenting the Blues, a series which was edited by Paul Oliver. This particular edition is about Blue-singer, songwriter, piano and guitar player, William Bunch (1902-1941). Who was well-known as Peetie Wheatstraw, the Devil's Son-in-Law and the High Sheriff from Hell. Long recognised by connoisseurs as one of the most influential blues people of all time.

His life and work are little known to the broader public. Blues scholar Paul Garon's important and abundantly illustrated study - drawing on his own extensive interviews with Wheatstraw's relatives, and fellow musicians - brings the exciting Whatstraw saga to life at last. With insight and imagination, Garon explores Peetie Wheatstraw's crucial role not only in blues history, but also in African American urban mythology, and - via a penetrating analysis of song lyrics - his appreciable contributions to blues poetry and to vernacular surrealism.

A really beautiful and important little book.

Paperback

Published by Studio Vista, 1971