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| LISTEN TO THE VOICES: SLAVES SPEAK THROUGH THEIR
MUSIC |
| by Tyrico Z. Tyler |
Author: Tyrico Z. Tyler
Publisher: Robbie Dean Press
ISBN: 1-889743-46-1
No. of Pages: 142
Index: Yes
Table of Contents: Yes
Binding: Perfect bound--soft
cover
Last Update: 2005
Volume Discounts: Yes, call to inquire
Shipping Time: 2-5 Days
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Preview This Book |
Listen To Their Voices is a comprehensive work that covers much that one
needs to know about the role music played in the everyday lives of the early
African-Americans. The more well-known slave narratives are
discussed--Solomon Northrup, William Wells Brown, and Frederick Douglass,
for example. However, the accounts of over fifty (50) lesser known slaves
are shared. They clearly show the importance of music in their lives and it
helped them survive. They name specific songs and spirituals. Then, the book
moves to discuss specific spirituals, giving clear interpretations of these
works. Indeed, this is the kind of book that every music major, historian,
and person, especially interested in the lives of those Americans whose
strength has contributed to the heart and soul of America.
In Listen to the Voices, Tyrico Tyler has provided the reader with a first hand account of the lives, struggles, and ultimately, the spirit of the men, women and children who through the barbarity of the slave trade and the burden of a cruel history found solace, connection and even hope in the poetic lyrics of their music and their faith.
While songs in this collection can still be heard today sung as spirituals in churches (such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot) , it is the less known pieces that seem to add depth and definition to the many songs with which we may be familiar. In the context of this entire collection, the individual songs become merged to create a powerful sentiment and provide clarity of meaning. The many songs which illustrate the desire to move on or ascend to a better place, such as Jacob’s Ladder, or songs referring to trains or crossing the water, describe not only a desire to move away from the painful daily existence, but also a strong belief that the next station, be it heaven or the safety of the north, is a real and calming vision. Mr. Tyler conveys the significance and the beauty of these spirituals both in his enlightening essays and in the short introductions which precede each individual piece.
Drawing on the world around them, and remembering the world which has been taken away, the words of the slaves in these songs and verses describe a way of life most people choose not to think about. Mr. Tyler’s comments and introductions to the themes around which these voices rallied, is both instructive and contemplative. Whether singing of their work in the cotton and rice fields, or finding Jesus in the wilderness, these songs and stories are accessible to students of any age. In fact, any reader is sure to gain insight and appreciation of the songs, as well develop a new level of respect and admiration for the communal strength that inspired these lyrics.
Most importantly, while this compilation provides us with the actual voices of the strong men and women who endured the multiple horrors of slavery, it also provides us with a more complete view of American History. This forgotten history has been re-ignited in Mr. Tyler’s book. Indeed, this is the kind of book that every music major, historian, and person interested in the lives of those Americans whose strength has contributed to the heart and soul of America should read.
-- Ernie Anastos
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