The Jazz of the Southwest: An Oral History of Western Swing
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.22 (838 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0292708602 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 293 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-01-20 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
. Boyd is Professor of Musicology at the Baylor University School of Music in Waco, Texas. Jean A
Tony Thomas said A useful and important work. As much as I am sympathetic to my good friend Buddy McPeters, and share his concern for the lack of value his attempt to document the history of Junior Barnard and other Western Swing greats [buddy should have a book of his own interviews, writings, and reminiscences published], I would like to endorse this book as a useful book for people. Good pickins' from the memories of those who played it A Customer Ms. Boyd (no relation to the Boyd brothers Bill, Jim and Clyde who hotted up the radio waves around Dallas in the late '40s) went to the trouble to look up many of the stars of western swing and record their stories.It's a workmanlike effort, clearly stating its generalizations from the oral histories, and offering many quotes from those w. "Fair" according to A Customer. This is not what I'd call an oral history. There were interviews but the bland voice that tells this story is the author's. Jean Boyd is not a storyteller. A lot of the information conflicts with what I've read elsewhere but there is no perspective. Also odd is to seperate the chapters by instrument so there is no chronological sense. It t
Boyd explores the origins and development of western swing as a vibrant current in the mainstream of jazz. This important aspect of the western swing story has never been told before.. She focuses in particular on the performers who made the music, drawing on personal interviews with some fifty living western swing musicians. They may wear cowboy hats and boots and sing about "faded love," but western swing musicians have always played jazz! From Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys to Asleep at the Wheel, western swing performers have played swing jazz on traditional country instruments, with all of the required elements of jazz, and some of the best solo improvisation ever heard.In this book, Jean A. From pioneers such as Cliff Bruner and Eldon Shamblin to current performers such as Johnny Gimble, the musicians make important connections between the big band swing jazz they heard on the radio and the western swing they created and played across the Southwest from Texas to California.From this first-hand testimony, Boyd re-creates the world of western swing-the dance halls, recording studios, and live radio shows that broadcast the music to an enthusiastic listening audience. Although the performers typically came from the same rural roots that nurtured country music, their words make it clear that they considered themselves neither "hillbillies" nor "country pickers," but jazz musicians whose performance approach and repertory were no different from those of mainstre
It is a thoughtful and readable celebration of western swing." (Western Historical Quarterly) . "Although Boyd states that 'this book is only a beginning', Jazz of the Southwest is, in fact, a rich source of information on both the music and the men who made the music