Review
"From the African oral history tradition to rap culture Goldman weaves the musical thread of Black music into a brilliant tapestry that's globally significant." --Deborah Gregory, Essence
"The story of David Corio and Vivien Goldman's The Black Chord is the centuries long saga of the drive to bring good out of evil, as the people of the Black Diaspora discovered the power of culture to fortify and rescue the downtrodden. We learn that, by keeping pride in one's roots and self-criticism in one's process while embracing the best aspects of societies that were often pitted against them, the ancient traditions of juba dances and slave chants endured due to the struggles of Curtis Mayfield and Bob Marley, and they thrive in the kindred spirits of Cassandra Wilson and Lauryn Hill-ultimately turning antipathy into admiration and lonely adversity into communal triumph.
The greatest myth of the modern music business is that it derives its importance from the money it makes. But as The Black Chord reveals, so long as music has the courage to renew itself, teaching that tenderness is strength. love is power, and human dignity is priceless, it will always prosper where it really matters most: in the hearts and minds of humanity." --Timothy White, Editor in Chief, Billboard; author of the bestseller Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley.
"The story of David Corio and Vivien Goldman's The Black Chord is the centuries long saga of the drive to bring good out of evil, as the people of the Black Diaspora discovered the power of culture to fortify and rescue the downtrodden. We learn that, by keeping pride in one's roots and self-criticism in one's process while embracing the best aspects of societies that were often pitted against them, the ancient traditions of juba dances and slave chants endured due to the struggles of Curtis Mayfield and Bob Marley, and they thrive in the kindred spirits of Cassandra Wilson and Lauryn Hill-ultimately turning antipathy into admiration and lonely adversity into communal triumph.
The greatest myth of the modern music business is that it derives its importance from the money it makes. But as The Black Chord reveals, so long as music has the courage to renew itself, teaching that tenderness is strength. love is power, and human dignity is priceless, it will always prosper where it really matters most: in the hearts and minds of humanity." --Timothy White, Editor in Chief, Billboard; author of the bestseller Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley.
Book Description
A celebration of Black music in original photography and text. The Black Chord bridges the boundaries between blues, rock, funk, jazz and world music. This lavishly illustrated book makes the historical, social, personal, and creative connections between great Black musicians from around the world. Tracing the history of today's music, it delves into the ancestral source that will continue to enrich the pop charts in the future.
Organized by themes such as Roots & Culture, Heart & Soul, Revolution, and Explorers. The
Black Chord celebrates the idea of a musical thread that travels throughout the world expressing a sensibility unique to each region. This thread weaves through every place, changing its culture and music. In this comprehensive and unprecedented survey compelling portraiture is combined with a fascinating history, including highlights from the author's interviews with such luminaries as Bob Marley, Missy Elliott, Cassandra Wilson, Curtis Mayfield, and more, to create an insightful, in-depth volume.
'The Black Chord a landmark depiction of the cultural cross-fertilization that is the foundation of today's pop. Following a circular path, music has traveled from its return and recreate itself: Senegalese rhythms survived slavery and flourished in New Orleans to become jazz and rhythm & blues which informed Jamaican reggae, which influenced New York hip-hop, which in turn-completing the circle-inspired young rap artists in Senegal. This is a centuries long saga that continues to energize musicians in every genre.
Organized by themes such as Roots & Culture, Heart & Soul, Revolution, and Explorers. The
Black Chord celebrates the idea of a musical thread that travels throughout the world expressing a sensibility unique to each region. This thread weaves through every place, changing its culture and music. In this comprehensive and unprecedented survey compelling portraiture is combined with a fascinating history, including highlights from the author's interviews with such luminaries as Bob Marley, Missy Elliott, Cassandra Wilson, Curtis Mayfield, and more, to create an insightful, in-depth volume.
'The Black Chord a landmark depiction of the cultural cross-fertilization that is the foundation of today's pop. Following a circular path, music has traveled from its return and recreate itself: Senegalese rhythms survived slavery and flourished in New Orleans to become jazz and rhythm & blues which informed Jamaican reggae, which influenced New York hip-hop, which in turn-completing the circle-inspired young rap artists in Senegal. This is a centuries long saga that continues to energize musicians in every genre.
