"How two forms of song helped sustain slaves and their children in the midst of tribulation. With a new introduction by Cheryl Townsend Gilkes"--

Interpretations of the black spirituals. The debate about black music ; The souls of black folk ; Social and historical perspectives ; Religion in the spiritual

A vivid investigation of how blues music teaches listeners about sin, suffering, marginalization, lamentation, and worship.

Jimoh (English, U. of Arkansas-Fayetteville) investigates African American intracultural issues that inform a more broadly intertextual use of music in creating

The devil is the most charismatic and important figure in the blues tradition. He's not just the music's namesake ("the devil's music"), but a shadowy presence