Some blues musicians carve out their own stylistic trademarks: Bo Diddley has his syncopated rhythm riff, Howling Wolf his full-bodied falsetto swoop, Jimmy Reed his repetitive walking bass lines.

Elmore James’ signature was his thundering full-octave slide guitar opening.

Though borrowed from fellow Mississippi bluesman Robert Johnson, that “Dust My Broom” riff laid the foundation for an eleven-year recording career, with nearly 80 titles released on some seven different labels.