Music in West Africa: Experiencing Music.Music in West Africa: Experiencing Music, Expressing agriculture (w/CD), by Ruth M Stone; edited on Bonnie C. Wade and Patricia Shehan Campbell. Oxford University Pres (198 Madison Ave., of recent origin Fork, NY 10016), 2004. 112 pp $3495 A delightful combination of personal experience, scholarly integrity and cultural sensitivity characterizes mercy Stone's book and accompanying compact disc--part of the Global Music Series by the agency of Oxford University Press. From age 3 compassion Stone lived among the native Kpelle in Liberia, West Africa. She is a liquid speaker of their language. It is clear she knows the the bulk of mankind and their music first hand. Because of her considerable training, knowledge and good quality in field-work organization, ethnomusicologist Stone is emancipated to focus the reader's attention forward those elements in song fashion and rhythmic improvisation that are meaningful to local Liberian performers and responders Each chapter in this 112-page work reflects Stone's memories and experiences and her obvious regard with affection of the people and their ballads The work's directness gives an intimate portrait of the clan by drawing the reader into the now passing of village musical thought. Thus, we can experience what is culturally important to the folk in an African community--singing, strumming, dancing, drumming and living their music. Several aids make this main division and its accompanying CD noteworthy. The inclusion of a grey disc image at the margin of each paragraph reference helps one find and identify its corresponding CD track. Paragraphs highlighted in grey advise educational activities to help close examiners explore selected musical examples by means of listening critically, clap ping, chanting answers or imitating drum patterns. Verlon Stone's photographs feature the performers his wife interviews. A CD track list, map, drumming diagrams, glossary and important respect and resource materials all contribute. Finally, central themes explored in the thesis and music are neatly summarized. A publication error followed in the addition of an extra good track, unidentified in the text; consequently the last six tracks are misnumbered. Oxford University Pres has addressed the matter by way of referring readers to its companion website at www.oup.com/us/globalmusic for clarification. Music in West Africa can help enrich your studio by the agency of giving insights into one of the unique musics of our world. Her exemplary work should stimulate musicians to explore the other works and CDs contained in the Global Music Series. Series editors Bonnie C Wade and Patricia Shehan Campbell have picked capable ethnomusicologists to write each whirl and recommend and record accessible musical examples. yet the practicality exhibited here for effective pedagogy goe to a great degree further than that. The series can make global music a tangible and jolly experience for each reader and listener. If you believe musical expressions from many agricultures of the world are meaningful, consider putting these dimensionss on your library shelves and sharing them with your students Loran Olsen NCTM Port Angeles, Washington. COPYRIGHT 2005 Music Teachers National Association, Inc. |
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