In the tradition of Langston Hughes' Simple Speaks His Mind Harlem Blues continues to glance at the myriad of everyday Black voices that make up America's Black Mecca. Recounted from the mouth of William Wadsworth Longfellow better known as Willie the Wino we are introduced and come to know to a myriad of personalities from the preacher and the prostitute to Saul the little Jewish butcher and Monica his African queen. With Willie's help we are subtly immersed in the lives of these characters and others and share their joy and laughter as well as the pain and heartache that constitute their daily struggle to survive. Constantly threatening to turn his African American membership card and say to hell with the struggle Willie nonetheless loves his people and with a sip of wine as his motivation Willie humorously comments on the problems with today's youth, women, civil rights, politics and a host of other topics that affect he and those that surround him in Harlem Blues.