2. "I Get These Special Vibrations," Thomas A. Dorsey21-35
Though they did not get much mention by name, you've seen both Sallie Martin and Thomas A. Dorsey in the BBC special we watched Wednesday and Thursday. There are several points of focus in these chapters. First, is the connection between Gospel and Popular Music, and also the tension between them. Second, as we saw, Gospel Music is not quite the same a folk music, though it certainly stems from folk traditions. Gospel is also a segment of the music industry--a segment which thrived partly through the work of entrepreneurs like Sallie Martin. Be aware of the importance of Chicago as a center of this kind of music (also a center of the closely related "soul" music), and independent "entrepreneurial" Churches like First Church of Deliverance on Chicago's South Side. Look around the neighborhood in the import from Streetview, below.
I'm glad this book is illustrated, though I'm less happy with the fact that the illustrations are bunched together in sections. Do take a little time to look at them. The quality is not great--but that's the price we pay in order to have the book cost less.
Read, in Weissman,
Birth and Evolution of the Blues78-97
You won't have much trouble picking out the important sections here. Pay special attention to The Blues as Protest Music, The Blues and the Preacher, Authenticity, and of course, Gospel Music. Note that Weissman creates two lists of "subjects" for Blues Music. Do you think the subject "Poor Me" is quite fair? Why or why not?
WITH A LITTLE LUCK WEDNESDAY
. . .I'm going to show the first of our Wednesday Films, "Say Amen, Sombody," a musical biography of Thomas A. Dorsey. It is out of print, alas, but we were fortunate that the library was able to pick up a used copy. I'll announce where and starting when on Monday, as I'm still negotiating for a place to watch the film. IF this falls through we'll watch at least parts of it in class on Thursday. (We may, anyhow--stay tuned).
For Thursday, February 28
Read, in Heilbut,
3. "The Head of the House, Ira Tucker"37 - 56
4. "Mahalia the Queen"pp. 57 - 73
The first of these chapters will introduce us to one of the earliest and most enduring type of Gospel group--the male Gospel Quartet. The second will introduce us to someone who by now should need not too much introduction
Pilgrim Baptist Church, orriginally built as a Synagogue, was the home church of Reverent Thomas A. Dorsey, and contained original copies of most of his songs--until the near total destruction of the church by fire in January, 2006. I had visited it whenin Chicago for a conference in the late 1990s, and enjoyed hearing a Gospel Service There. It is slowly being rebuilt and in true modern spirit, has a facebook page.
Read, in Heilbut
