Putting aside all historical, cultural and social factors, I'll discuss the musical aspects. The Blues doesn't strive to be pretty, harmonically complex or melodically varied. It's emotion and pain encapsulated into song. read more
Soul music utilizes all the conventions of the blues but expands the harmonic territory by incorporating hymns, popular music of the day, and the American Songbook into the repertoire. Chord progressions are much more robust and harmonically complex. read more