African Rhythm and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social Action in African Musical Idioms

Description

"African travelogue with a good dose of African sociology? Or is it a sociology of Africa with a good dose of travelogue? It is hard to know how to describe this book, since it attempts to strike a balance between an engrossingly personal account of wanderings ir quest of African music and a penetrating sociological analysis of interpersonal relationships in Africa. John Miller Chernoff, who spent 10 years studying African drumming, hasaflair for descriptive writing, and his first-person narratives should be easily understood by any reader, while ringing unmistakably true for the reader who has also been to West Africa. "—Washington Post Book World "The book is a brilliant and sometimes delightful work, which uses a close analysis of Ghanaian drumming to shed light on topics as diverse as African religion, the role of art in African society, and the etiquette of social greetings. As Chernoff shares with the reader his own musical education, it becomes Wis that his learning went far deeper than playing the drums, encompassing as well spiritual and ethical principles. "—Africa News "Four stars. One of the few books I know of that talks of the political, social, and spiritual meanings of music. I was moved. It was so nice I read it twice." —David Byrne, Talking Heads "A work of unquestionable importance and considerable charm, one which significantly aids our understanding of the depths and beauty of African music. "—Parabola JOHN MILLER CHERNOFF has studied African drumming for ten years, and is currently a research fellow at Trinity College, Legon, Ghana, where he is continuing his work. African Rhythm and African Sensibility Contents List of Plates Acknowledgments Pronunciation and Transliteration Introduction: Scholarship and Participation One The Study of Music in Africa Two Music in Africa Three Style in Africa Four Values in Africa Appendix Notes Bibliography Index