Muacute;sica nortentilde;a; a musical genre with its roots in the folk ballad traditions of Northern Mexico and the Texas-Mexican border region; has become a hugely popular musical style in the U.S.; particularly among Mexican immigrants. Featuring evocative songs about undocumented border-crossers; drug traffickers; and the plight of immigrant workers; muacute;sica nortentilde;a has become the music of a ldquo;nation between nations.rdquo; Muacute;sica Nortentilde;a is the first definitive history of this transnational music that has found enormous commercial success in norteameacute;rica.Cathy Ragland; an ethnomusicologist and former music critic; serves up the fascinating fifty-year story of muacute;sica nortentilde;a; enlivened by interviews with important musicians and her own first-hand observations of live musical performances. Beyond calling our attention to musical influences; Ragland shows readers the social and economic forces at work behind the music. By comparing muacute;sica nortentilde;a with other popular musical forms; including conjunto tejano; she helps us understand and appreciate the musical ties that bind the Mexican diaspora.
#1225037 in eBooks 2009-06-16 2009-06-16File Name: B0022NGAHK
Review
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful. Sondheim fan? Wanna become one?By Sarah E. MorinThis book takes us musical-by-musical through some of the most famous and artistically valuable of Sondheims musicals (the latest entry being Assassins). Each chapter looks at the musical with a critical eye (or listens with a critical ear. as the case may be) and responds to criticism about the musical in question. This is not a book simply about selling Sondheim - when the author is unimpressed. she lets us know. But Gordan finds much to admire in Sondheims musicals. and helps us to appreciate that. Each chapter outlines in detail the plot. characters. and songs - especially useful for in-depth study. You cant get much more specific without actually taking out the libretto or following along in the score! All her arguments are well-founded and supported with examples from the text. The use of lyrics is especially appropriate. This book is especially valuable from a literary and theatrical standpoint. The observations on the music itself are correct. but not plentiful. as Gordans expertise is in theatre. not music. Accessible to the casual audience member and the Sondheim groupie.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An insight into the works of SondheimBy Erica S. BeynonThis is a remarkable consideration of the works of Sondheim. There is a clear understanding of the origins of SSs skills and techniques as well as the musical and literary backgrounds which underwrite his work.This is not a chatty easy read. it is an academic and searching document which is evidence of considerable research. It will appeal to those who are students of Music Theatre and lovers of The Sondheim catalogue.1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good But Flawed Sonheim BookBy Larry GevirtzThe book provided a reasonably good review of the Broadway career of Stephen Sondheim. However. the author is too much of an avowed Sondheim fan. and tends to provide only a one-sided. superpositive view of Sondheims oeuvre. His misses (e.g.. Merrily We Roll Along) are glossed over. Still. for Sondheim devotees. this is a helpful book.
