Four Parts; No Waiting investigates the role that vernacular; barbershop-style close harmony has played in American musical history; in American life; and in the American imagination. Starting with a discussion of the first craze for Austrian four-part close harmony in the 1830s; Averill traces the popularity of this musical form in minstrel shows; black recreational singing; vaudeville; early recordings; and in the barbershop revival of the 1930s. In his exploration of barbershop; Averill uncovers a rich musical tradition--a hybrid of black and white cultural forms; practiced by amateurs; and part of a mythologized vision of small-town American life. Barbershop harmony played a central -- and overlooked -- role in the panorama of American music. Averill demonstrates that the barbershop revival was part of a depression-era neo-Victorian revival; spurred on by insecurities of economic and social change. Contemporary barbershop singing turns this nostalgic vision into lived experience. Arguing that the "old songs" function as repositories of idealized social memory; Averill reveals ideologies of gender; race; and class. This engagingly-written; often funny book critiques the nostalgic myths (especially racial myths) that have surrounded the barbershop revival; but also celebrates the civic-minded; participatory spirit of barbershop harmony. The contents of the CD have been replaced by a companion website with helpful links; resources; and audio examples.
#1589631 in eBooks 2003-02-20 2003-01-25File Name: B000R9SJ8O
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Perfection; One Brick at a TimeBy TJ MccarthyIf you see a "brick building" going up today; you might note a couple of things. First; its almost certainly not really a brick building. Its a building thats using brick as a veneer; instead of using vinyl siding; clapboards; cedar shakes; or another siding option. Second; it will probably be a monotone or close to it; done in a single shade of red or brown; with at best some contrasting bricks added in a random pattern. Third; the walls will be dead flat; having no projections or reliefs; with the possible exception of some uninspired quoins plopped onto the corners. Fourth; everything will be straight and square; with nary a curve to be seen. Finally; the brick will be laid in a simple and boring pattern; most commonly a running bond. It is; in short; little better than drab; something the eye passes over without slowing. Well folks; it werent always so in the land of brick.This book shows how brickwork was done a hundred years ago; when some incredibly skilled craftsmen plied their trade. Houses; townhouses; churches; even engine sheds were treated to elaborately designed and intricately detailed exteriors. Somehow; those ugly rectangular bricks were formed into wonderful arches; framing windows and doors. Walls are anything but flat; with bricks courses forming shadow lines that give the humblest buildings incredible character. Terra-cotta was carefully applied like make-up on an actress; to boldly add accent and interest.Some of the patterns shown are a bit too intricate; with the contrasting colours becoming garish and distracting; subtracting rather than adding to the buildings beauty. Terra-cotta; like make-up; can be over-applied or misapplied; again to ill effect. Still; if youre considering a building with a masonry exterior; and prefer attractive to drab; you really want this book. No; you really *need* this book. A couple caveats though. There arent a lot of folks left who can do this kind of work; and if you can find someone qualified; they wont be cheap. Also; if you really like the terra-cotta; you may be out of luck. From a thriving industry in the 1800s; its nearly disappeared today. There are a few manufacturers left in the U.S.; but they mainly cater to commercial development. Youll have your work cut out for you if you want terra-cotta on your new residence.One note; there is very little text to go with the plates. Not a lot should be needed; but when you give a plate of "Styles of Brick Bonds"; you really should label each. Not every reader is going to know the terminology. There are plenty of other places where a few words of explanation would come in handy. Over all though; this book occupies a unique niche; and fills it very well!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy silverstate21great book;;; for all interested in masonry0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Daniel AlexanderBeautiful images! I love this book.