This week, Scott, Karl, and Trent trace one of the most influential forces in music and culture: the blues.  The trio talks about the migration of the blues, starting from its origins in slave communities on plantations. As the blues extended its reach in the US, you'll find that each region imparted its own flavor and culture as jazz, gospel, country, and ragtime all fused with the blues in various combinations to create an endless variety of regional styles.  Trent explains, "It's actually a really unified art form when you think of it in those terms. Culturally, thematically, musically— it makes sense." Karl adds, "It's a really cool style and family of music that grew out of unfortunate situations. It's a tribute to what the human spirit can do."  From Robert Johnson to Muddy Waters to Jelly Roll Morton, tune in to hear more music and ideas— brought to you by onlinegreatbooks.com.