The History of the Blues: Amazon.de: Francis Davis: Englische Bücher

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Taschenbuch

EUR 16,99

Taschenbuch, Februar 1996

Produktinformation

Taschenbuch: 320 Seiten
Verlag: Hyperion Books (Adult Trd Pap) (Februar 1996)
Sprache: Englisch
ISBN-10: 0786881240
ISBN-13: 978-0786881246
Gr��e und/oder Gewicht: 25,1 x 17,5 x 2,5 cm

Durchschnittliche Kundenbewertung: 2.7 von 5 Sternen Alle Rezensionen anzeigen (6 Kundenrezensionen)

Amazon Bestseller-Rang: Nr. 1.919.971 in Englische Bücher (Siehe Top 100 in Englische Bücher)

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Produktbeschreibungen

From Booklist

Davis ambitiously chronicles one of the oldest American musical genres that remain thriving today, and because of his astute observations, personable wit, and challenging proposals, produces what is clearly one of the best books on it. Effectively using a first-person perspective, Davis explores the history of the blues throughout the rural South, its evolution in northern cities, and the marketing of vintage and contemporary blues musicians today. Moreover, he places the music's development within the context of general American cultural and social development. His commentary embraces such high-profile players as Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters as well as such far less known figures as Johnny "Daddy Stovepipe" Watson. Davis points out that modern country music and the blues share a common genesis in rural medicine shows, and he is courageous enough to make the politically unfashionable declaration that Elvis was "one of the finest singers ever spawned by the Southern United States" and then provide enough reasons to back up the claim. Companion to a new PBS TV series, this book is, like Davis' two collections of jazz articles, In the Moment (1987) and Outcats (1990), essential for the music library shelves. Aaron Cohen -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine vergriffene oder nicht verf�gbare Ausgabe dieses Titels.

From Library Journal

Since its origin in Mississippi before the turn of the century, the blues has been pronounced dead many times. Davis (music critic of the Atlantic) assures us that it "rises up like Lazarus every ten years or so." This book, published in advance of a three-part PBS companion series scheduled to air in the fall of 1995, is a great starting place in understanding the continued appeal of this uniquely American music. Moving from its roots in field hollers, work songs, spirituals, country reels, and Anglo-Scottish ballads to its present-day uses selling diet soda and laxatives, Davis profiles the major artists and the developmental changes of the music. An extensive discography and bibliography give ample resources for future exploration, while a "Blues Timeline" offers an at-a-glance overview of blues milestones in relation to corresponding events in art and history. This fine introduction to the blues is recommended for most libraries.
Dan Bogey, Clearfield Cty. P.L. Federation, Curwensville, Pa.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. -- Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine vergriffene oder nicht verf�gbare Ausgabe dieses Titels.

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Die hilfreichsten Kundenrezensionen

Excellent study and a needed corrective 30. Juli 2000

Von Howard Sauertieg

Format:Taschenbuch

History of the Blues is criticized for the author's "cynicism," but the author is justified in seeking to modify or correct much of the last century's "blues scholarship." The book is more valuable because Davis doesn't accept the suppositions and theories of earlier writers, and in the first chapters the author establishes that "the blues" are far more complex, socially and musically, than we've been led to believe. He writes with wit and plenty of feeling - but the feeling expressed is one of annoyance with blues and folk "scholars" who have either not researched very thoroughly, or who have deliberately ignored facts that subvert their simplistic theories. What are the blues? Where did they come from? What's happened to the blues since mid-century? Davis examines all of these questions and comes up with some reasonable and provocative answers. The book isn't meant to be a study of individual blues musicians; such works have already been written (by Samuel Charters, Peter Guralnick, Pete Oliver) and they were well-done. The History of the Blues is a very readable account of a century of confusion, best approached with an open and attentive mind.

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No Pretence! 30. Juni 2000

Von Ein Kunde

Format:Taschenbuch

Finally, an "historian" who doesn't pretend to be an objective, impartial documenter of facts. This is Davis' version of the blues, and he lets you know it. Thankfully, he has the skill of a consummate wordsmith, an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject matter and a fan's love and appreciation for the music. This reads like a conversation with an old, knowledgeable friend and I, for one, find that refreshing. Definitely worth the time for anyone who's interested in something more than simple facts, dates and names

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Cynical and feelingless 17. August 1999

Von Ein Kunde

Format:Taschenbuch

For a book about such an emotional music, this "matter of fact" account of the blues is totally without feeling. Davis is cynical about most previous beliefs of the blues and is absolutely critical of current blues artists who have attempted to keep the earliest blues alive. This author lacks the charm and scope of an Alan Lomax or a Samuel Charters. Although the book contained information, it was dull and sometimes annoying.

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