Where the Dark and the Light Folks Meet tackles a controversial question: Is jazz the product of an insulated African-American environment; shut off from the rest of society by strictures of segregation and discrimination; or is it more properly understood as the juncture of a wide variety of influences under the broader umbrella of American culture? This book does not question that jazz was created and largely driven by African Americans; but rather posits that black culture has been more open to outside influences than most commentators are likely to admit. The majority of jazz writers; past and present; have embraced an exclusionary viewpoint. Where the Dark and the Light Folks Meet begins by looking at many of these writers; from the birth of jazz history up to the present day; to see how and why their views have strayed from the historical record. This book challenges many widely held beliefs regarding the history and nature of jazz in an attempt to free jazz of the socio-political baggage that has so encumbered it. The result is a truer appreciation of the music and a greater understanding of the positive influence racial interaction and jazz music have had on each other.
#1399019 in eBooks 2010-08-10 2010-08-10File Name: B0042RU886
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Simon Reynolds. TOTALLY WIREDBy ChadIf you have read the book "Rip it Up and Start Again" by Reynolds. then you might be feeling how I feel. Overwhelmed by the vast amounts of music he talks about in the 6 years between 78-84. Overwhelmed. and excited to have a huge encyclopedia of bands and albums and labels to check out. I read Rip it Up. about 3 years ago. and I am still exploring bands he talked about. So if you are a fiend and cannot stop ingesting music history. as you cannot stop ingesting music into your ears. and you have loved everything you have discovered through Rip It Up. then naturally. you need to get "Totally Wired". Its just more good stuff. full interviews with some of the star characters in Rip It Up. Its more about the artists in the first half of the book. they are interviewed. and Reynolds. being the brilliant critic and journalist that he is. pretty much stays out of the picture in these interviews and lets the artists take it away.The book is in 2 parts. interviews. and then overviews. I havent gotten to the overviews. so I dunno what that is like. but really. do we have to ask? Im sure it;s gonna be great. filled with more knowledge and good music than we will ever be able to listen to in our lifetimes!~0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Darren Davis10/10.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An interesting companion to Rip It UpBy lfoleyAn interesting. if not quite as crucial. companion to Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984 that is worth buying if you are particularly interested in the genre.
