Big Star Fallin' Mama: Five Women in Black Music - Softcover

Gr. 7-12. Although billed as a revision, this shows little change from the 1974 edition. After a brief history of the blues, Jones blends biographical discussions of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin--their lives and contributions to American music--with important social history and a deep sense of musical heritage. Revisions include softening the Holiday bio and bringing Franklin into the nineties as well as an updated bibliography and discography. Although there's a lot more out there on this topic today than there was in 1974, this well-written, thoughtful presentation is still one of the best available for readers of this age group and will be valuable for multicultural, women's studies, biographical, or musical history units. Libraries that don't have a copy should be glad of another opportunity to get one. Jeanne Triner

Grade 8 Up?A revision of an important book published 20 years ago. Jones provides biographies of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin (brought up to date) that offer special insight into the African American music scene from the 1920s to the present. All of the women are portrayed in terms of their personalities, environments, music, and times. New material about musical trends and performers relevant to today's culture, such as rap and hip-hop, is presented. Good-quality black-and-white reproductions and photographs, an annotated list of other women important to black music, and an updated bibliography and discography are included.?Robin Works Davis, Hurst Public Library, TX
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