Mississippi Books

I must say, as a lifelong Fairgoer, trying to accurately describe the Neshoba County Fair to someone who has never had the privelage of attending is next to impossible. It is one of those things you just have to experience. Craycroft's book is as informative as any piece of literature on the subject I have ever seen. Not only do his pictures show the reader vivid portrayals of daily life, but the descriptive text captures your imagination, leaving you wanting to experience it for yourself.

This book addresses not only the daily aspects of the Fair, but gives a detailed glimpse into the origins, physical layout, progression of its growth, and other aspects of what continue to make this yearly gathering so popular and unique.

This is not your typical overview of R&B through the decades. Such overviews typically contain lots of biographical tidbits about various R&B stars, discuss the show biz aspect (the rise of fall of various record labels), and discuss the sociological aspect of R&B as black music crossing over into pop. And so on. And there's nothing wrong with that. I've read many books of that ilk, and learned much from them.

But The New Blue Music is different. It is primarily an analysis of the MUSIC itself. The author not only has a PhD in music and is a professional music teacher and arrange, he also spent many years as a performer. So he combines the dedication of a music fan with the savvy of a musician and the expertise of an academic musicologist.

In that regard, I found chapter 2 particularly enlightening. That chapter contains perhaps the most thorough and readable analysis of the components of 20th century African-American music I have ever read. The subsequent chapters analysis each decade from the 1950s onward and show how popular African-American of each decade (be it blues, R&B, soul, funk, or whatever) incorporates these components to varying degrees.

While clearly written, this is not light reading. This is a serious work of scholarship, and an invaluable contribution to the field.

Originally published in 1889, this book tells the story of the early days in Seattle. Now a large metropolitan city, Seattle was once nothing more than a few cabins, inhabited by pioneers with a vision. This book was written by Arthur A. Denny, one of the founders of Seattle. This book is a must for anyone with an interst in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

This is great! A new book of both newly-published old songs AND new songs in the same style! Anyone who sings from the Sacred Harp needs this book. If you buy only one shape-note book besides the Sacred Harp, this is the one!
There are multiple compositions by some of the "greats" - Billings, Belcher, Shumway, Ingalls, all the others. Jacob French's tunes are outstanding!
Some of the old songs are VERY moving - try Mechias or Crucifixion, for examples. And with 2 exceptions, the modern songs are great also. Albemarle and Ten Thousand Charms are my favorites. We sang these when the book first arrived, and we've sung them every time since!
I thought "Come thou fount" was embarrasingly inept and I don't know why it was included. Also the title tune, "Norumbega" was too scholastic and isn't singable in traditional style. But these are the only 2 clunkers in the book!

I've worked with several Sudanese men in the City of Louisville, Kentucky, as a mentor and friend. Moving to Syracuse, New York, I was afraid I'd lose my Sudanese connection, but quickly learned of McMahon's research and dedication to the Dinka and Didinga who live in Central, New York. What I found most interesting about the book was that she chooses not to focus on the harsh realities of the Sudanese Lost Boys experience, but instead digs deeply into Sudanese traditions of song, dance and art. Along her journey, too, McMahon taps into unknown territories where she's the first to point out that more research needs to occur. NOT JUST CHILD'S PLAY is a great companion piece to anyone interested in the Sudanese experience in America, the well-publicized crisis in Darfur and the American immigration process. Extremely well-versed in her academic field, she not only produces a deeply researched text, but also a cultural introduction to the years before cultural conflicts caused a historical uprooting of native people and traditions. I read this as a friend to the Sudanese community, a teacher, a student and a man very aware of today's global realities. Felicia McMahon's book is a great addition to my library.

This book is a wonderful read, true to the diary of William Van Davis and illustrated with well reserached side stories and photos. The author did an amazing job of research and it is a must have for any true student of the Civil War or lover of the history of Mississippi.

If you can't go down the Mississippi yourself, tag along with Knudsen! Meet the "river rats," see the sights, and even smell life on the river as Knudsen found it in 1993. I found this book to be entertaining AND educational. I hope Knudsen has other trips planned so I can journey along with him again.

I read this book, and the author gives you a complete picture of what it was like for her growing up in the early to mid 1900's. It's a fantastic book to read for those interested in a childs point of view of how life is growing up in a rural Mississippi.

Anyone interested in the arts, Southern culture, African-American history or a survivor's story will get something out of this exhibition catalog/biography of Sarah Albritton and her works. I do not typically enjoy the Primitive School of Art but was blown away by the emotion in her work. She is quite an unusual person - this is not Grandma Moses. Ms. Albritton runs a restaurant in Ruston, La. and you need to see the photos in this book of how she decorates the outside of it at Christmas. She's fantastically talented. Treat yourself or an art lover in your life. As I mentioned, this is also a Toni Morrison-esqe chronicle of an African-American female's childhood in the South. Not for the faint-hearted.

Scott Williams and Ernest Herndon nailed it with this book. Very well researched and written from two very different styles. Great friends and authors, these two should colaborate more often. Read this book to learn about one of the last unspoiled places in the deep south.