Who Should Sing 'Ol' Man River'?

The Lives of an American Song

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Theory & Criticism, History & Criticism, Reference
Cover of the book Who Should Sing 'Ol' Man River'? by Todd Decker, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Todd Decker ISBN: 9780199389209
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: October 20, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Todd Decker
ISBN: 9780199389209
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: October 20, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

A Broadway classic, a call to action, and an incredibly malleable popular song, "Ol' Man River" is not your typical musical theater standard. Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in the 1920s for Show Boat, "Ol Man River" perfectly blends two seemingly incongruous traits-the gravity of a Negro spiritual and the crowd-pleasing power of a Broadway anthem. Inspired by the voice of African American singer Paul Robeson, who adopted the tune for his own goals as an activist, "Ol' Man River" is both iconic and transformative. In Who Should Sing "Ol' Man River"? The Lives of an American Song, author Todd Decker examines how the song has shaped, and been shaped by, the African American experience. Yet "Ol' Man River" also transcends both its genre and original conception as a song written for an African American male. Beyond musical theater, this Broadway ballad has been reworked in musical genres from pop to jazz, opera to doo wop, rhythm and blues to gospel to reggae. Pop singers such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland made "Ol' Man River" one of their signature songs. Jazz artists such as Bix Biederbecke, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, and Keith Jarrett have all played "Ol' Man River," as have stars of the rock and roll era, such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Cher, and Rod Stewart. Black or white, male or female-anyone who sings "Ol' Man River" must confront and consider its charged racial content and activist history. Performers and fans of musical theater as well as students of the Civil Rights movement will find Who Should Sing "Ol' Man River" an unprecedented examination of a song that's played a groundbreaking role in American history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A Broadway classic, a call to action, and an incredibly malleable popular song, "Ol' Man River" is not your typical musical theater standard. Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in the 1920s for Show Boat, "Ol Man River" perfectly blends two seemingly incongruous traits-the gravity of a Negro spiritual and the crowd-pleasing power of a Broadway anthem. Inspired by the voice of African American singer Paul Robeson, who adopted the tune for his own goals as an activist, "Ol' Man River" is both iconic and transformative. In Who Should Sing "Ol' Man River"? The Lives of an American Song, author Todd Decker examines how the song has shaped, and been shaped by, the African American experience. Yet "Ol' Man River" also transcends both its genre and original conception as a song written for an African American male. Beyond musical theater, this Broadway ballad has been reworked in musical genres from pop to jazz, opera to doo wop, rhythm and blues to gospel to reggae. Pop singers such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland made "Ol' Man River" one of their signature songs. Jazz artists such as Bix Biederbecke, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, and Keith Jarrett have all played "Ol' Man River," as have stars of the rock and roll era, such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Cher, and Rod Stewart. Black or white, male or female-anyone who sings "Ol' Man River" must confront and consider its charged racial content and activist history. Performers and fans of musical theater as well as students of the Civil Rights movement will find Who Should Sing "Ol' Man River" an unprecedented examination of a song that's played a groundbreaking role in American history.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Arguing Islam after the Revival of Arab Politics by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Africa, Empire and Fleet Street by Todd Decker
Cover of the book The Physiology of Sexist and Racist Oppression by Todd Decker
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Oral History by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Alternative American Religions by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Police for the Future by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Elizabeth I by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Chants Democratic by Todd Decker
Cover of the book College Hookup Culture and Christian Ethics by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Understanding Child Maltreatment by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Moral Motivation by Todd Decker
Cover of the book The Dividing Paths by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Libertarianism by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Cultural Constructions of Identity by Todd Decker
Cover of the book Helping Parents with Challenging Children Positive Family Intervention Facilitator Guide by Todd Decker
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy