The Power of Black Music: Interpreting Its History from Africa to the United States

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 336 pages
• Published by: Oxford University Press, USA October 31, 1996
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0195109759
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0195109757
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Reader Reviews
I am thankful to Guthrie Ramsey who referred to this book in his book "Race Music", and made me buy it and read it. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a must for anyone interested in African American music. The book begins with the spiritual-mythological aspects of African life - and their musical expressions. He shows how these aspects were brought to America with the tranplanted and enslaved Africans. Floyd generalizes these as "Ring Elements" - coming from the communal ring dance-song-drum of African culture. These elements are present, according to Floyd, in all African American music, sometimes to a great extent (gospel-blues) and sometimes to a lesser extent (composed music). Floyd moves along key points in African American history, and discusses their musical dimensions - the Harlem Renaissance, the Chicago Renaissance, and so on. I have read books on music by Amiri Baraka, James Cone, Nelson George, Albert Murray and Charles Kiel before I read this book. They were all great and illuminating, but I think this book takes things to another level. It makes a lot of bold assumptions that could be used for further research, and develops the language needed for the academic discourse on this amazing music. Comment | | (Report this)