
The Birth of the Banjo
Joel Walker Sweeney and Early Minstrelsy
Bob Carlin(Author)
McFarland & Co Inc (Publisher)
Published on 7. March 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
203 pages
978-0-7864-2874-8 (ISBN)
Description
Joel Walker Sweeney was, in essence, the Elvis Presley of the 1840s. A professional banjo player, Sweeney introduced mainstream America to a music (and musical instrument) which had its roots in the transplanted black culture of the southern slave. Sweeney, an Irish-American born midway between Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia, sampled African American music at a young age. He then added more traditional southern sounds to the music he heard, in essence creating a new musical form. The only avenue available to a professional banjo player was that of traveling minstrelsy shows and it was this route which Sweeney used to bring his music to the attention of the public.
Beginning with the banjo's introduction to America and Great Britain, the book examines early banjo music and covers the evolution of American minstrelsy (i.e., black face) and the opportunities it provided for artists such as Sweeney. Correcting previous fallacies and misconceptions (such as Sweeney's supposed development of the five-string banjo), the work discusses Sweeney's roots, his music and his contribution to the physical development of the instrument. An appendix contains a performance chronology. The work is also indexed.
Beginning with the banjo's introduction to America and Great Britain, the book examines early banjo music and covers the evolution of American minstrelsy (i.e., black face) and the opportunities it provided for artists such as Sweeney. Correcting previous fallacies and misconceptions (such as Sweeney's supposed development of the five-string banjo), the work discusses Sweeney's roots, his music and his contribution to the physical development of the instrument. An appendix contains a performance chronology. The work is also indexed.
Reviews / Votes
"recommended"-Choice; "an important addition...Carlin presents his research and insights clearly, and tells the story of Sweeney and his role straighforwardly. Abundantly illustrated, handsomely designed, and very readable as well as scrupulously researched...invaluable"-Old-Time Herald; "recommend[ed]"-In The Groove Magazine; "well-researched...scrupulously notated...information is invaluable"-Bluegrass Unlimited; "carefully researched...indepth...a must-read...compelling"-Banjo Newsletter; "painstaking research...abundantly illustrated...the author is to be congratulated for his efforts to recover stories that are not readily accessible to scholars and twenty-first-century fans of the music"-The Journal of Southern History; "exhaustive...extensive research...a necessary addition...remarkable"-Sing Out!More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
39 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
398 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-2874-8 (9780786428748)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Musician and writer Bob Carlin is the author of several books. His articles have been published in Journal of Country Music and Bluegrass Unlimited. He lives in Lexington, North Carolina.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
1. African American Roots
2. The Origins of Black Face Minstrelsy
3. The Birth of a Banjoist
4. On the Road in Great Britain
5. Back in the United States: Touring with a Minstrel Band and Final Days
6. The Virginia Minstrels and the Dawn of the Minstrel Show
7. Ethiopian Serenaders: British Minstrelsy After Sweeney
8. The Banjo in Australia
9. Minstrel Touring in the American South
10. P.T. Barnum's Black Face Adventures
11. Sweeney's Repertoire
12. Joel Walker Sweeney and the "Invention" of the 5-String Banjo
13. Sweeney's Influence
14. Sam Sweeney: War Years with J.E.B. Stuart
Appendix: A Sweeney Performance Chronology
Chapter Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Preface
1. African American Roots
2. The Origins of Black Face Minstrelsy
3. The Birth of a Banjoist
4. On the Road in Great Britain
5. Back in the United States: Touring with a Minstrel Band and Final Days
6. The Virginia Minstrels and the Dawn of the Minstrel Show
7. Ethiopian Serenaders: British Minstrelsy After Sweeney
8. The Banjo in Australia
9. Minstrel Touring in the American South
10. P.T. Barnum's Black Face Adventures
11. Sweeney's Repertoire
12. Joel Walker Sweeney and the "Invention" of the 5-String Banjo
13. Sweeney's Influence
14. Sam Sweeney: War Years with J.E.B. Stuart
Appendix: A Sweeney Performance Chronology
Chapter Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index