America Over the Water
by Shirley Collins
On This Page
Description
'Shirley is a time traveller, a conduit for essential human aches, one of the greatest artists who ever lived' Stewart Lee 'Without doubt one of England's greatest cultural treasures' Billy Bragg In America Over the Water, celebrated English folksinger Shirley Collins offers an affecting account of her year-long stint as assistant to legendary musical historian and folklorist Alan Lomax. Together, they travelled to Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia, discovering show more Mississippi Fred McDowell and many others, in their tireless work to uncover the traditional music of America's heartland. Blending the personal story of Shirley Collins' relationship with Lomax and offering a unique first-hand account of a country on the brink of the civil rights era, America Over the Water cuts right to the heart of the blues in a fascinating account of Collins' and Lomax's ground-breaking journey across the southern states of the USA to record the music that started it all. Originally published over fifteen years ago, this definitive edition includes a new introduction by Shirley Collins. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
A short and gentle autobiographical reminiscence of growing up in England and traditional-song-collecting in the southern United States with Alan Lomax, by English folk singer Shirley Collins. A good account of her times (mainly 1940s, alternating with the late 1950s-60s) and how ethnography, folk song preservation, love affairs and performance intermingled.
I liked this very much. I am a fan of Shirley Collins and didn't realize until recently that she had traveled through the American south with Alan Lomax in the 1950s as his assistant. The book is based on her letters home but also includes chapters about her life, growing up in post-war Hastings, and becoming a singer. I wish she wasn't quite so self-deprecating - I would have enjoyed a stronger voice, but it's a sweet and lovely piece, much I like imagine the woman herself to be.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
04
34 works; 1 member
Author Information
15 Works 97 Members
Classifications
- Genres
- Music, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 782.42162092 — Arts & recreation Music Vocal music Secular forms of vocal music Songs General principles and musical forms Traditions of secular songs {genres} Folk songs modified standard subdivisions, General principles of folk music, Influence of other traditions of music
- LCC
- ML420 .C654 .A3 — Music Literature on music Literature on music History and criticism Biography
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 41
- Popularity
- 716,570
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.75)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
