Songsters and Saints: Vocal Traditions on Race Records - Hardcover

Oliver, Paul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521248272 ISBN 13: 9780521248273

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1984

Synopsis

In this innovatory book the celebrated writer on the blues, Paul Oliver, rediscovers the wealth of neglected vocal traditions presented on Race records. When blues first reached a large audience it was through the 'Race records' issued specifically for black purchasers in the 1920s. Blues South have been extensively discussed by many writers. Paul Oliver shows that this emphasis has drawn attention away from the other important vocal traditions also available on Race records: the songs of Southern rural dances, the comic and social songs and ballads of the medicine shows and travelling entertainments, and, even more neglected, the sacred vocal traditions, from the song-sermons of the Baptist and Sanctified preachers to the gospel songs of the church congregations and of the 'jack-leg' preachers and street evangelists. Over 500 artists and 700 song titles are indexed and there is a guide to reissued recordings.

About this title

Review:

"...fills an interesting and important gap in American musical history." Cashbox

Book Description:

Paul Oliver rediscovers the wealth of neglected vocal traditions issued on 'Race records'. He discusses the songs of Southern entertainments, and the sacred vocal traditions, from the Baptist and sanctified preaches to the gospel songs of the church congregations and song. Sermons of the 'jack leg' preachers and street evangelists.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1984
• ISBN 10: 0521248272
• ISBN 13: 9780521248273
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 346