[ebooks] Small Houses by Taunton Press in Arts-Photography

Description

Born into poverty in Mississippi at the close of the nineteenth century; Charley Patton and Jimmie Rodgers established themselves among the most influential musicians of their era. In Tune tells the story of the parallel careers of these two pioneering recording artists -- one white; one black -- who moved beyond their humble origins to change the face of American music.At a time when segregation formed impassable lines of demarcation in most areas of southern life; music transcended racial boundaries. Jimmie Rodgers and Charley Patton drew inspiration from musical traditions on both sides of the racial divide; and their songs about hard lives; raising hell; and the hope of better days ahead spoke to white and black audiences alike. Their music reflected the era in which they lived but evoked a range of timeless human emotions. As the invention of the phonograph disseminated traditional forms of music to a wider audience; Jimmie Rodgers gained fame as the "Father of Country Music;" while Pattons work eventually earned him the title "King of the Delta Blues."Patton and Rodgers both died young; leaving behind a relatively small number of recordings. Though neither remains well known to mainstream audiences; the impact of their contributions echoes in the songs of today. The first book to compare the careers of these two musicians; In Tune is a vital addition to the history of American music.