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On 27/04/07, Bob Olhsson wrote: >> From Bertram Lyons: "...Did unknown individuals make attempts to >> capture the > sounds of slaves previously to the 1930s?..." > > There obviously had been no slaves for decades when the phonograph was > invented The Civil War ended in 1865 and Edison invented his phonograph in 1877, so not many decades. > so it really comes down to how one chooses to define "the > sounds of slaves." Early recordings were generally a commercial > venture As the phonograph was sold as a business tool for dictation, early recordings were _not_ commercial. > and it can be argued that most of what was recorded in the > southeastern US is the music of students of former slaves and their > children. There are answers at Fisk and the other traditionally black > colleges and universities in the southeast that go beyond minstrel > show stereotypes. I would hope that unprejudiced research happens > sooner rather than later because many of the people who know the story > handed down from their parents and grandparents are approaching the > end of their life. > > I'm very offended that I've only begun to learn the real story of > African American music at age 61 because of the pervasive racism found > in most of the literature I've encountered about American music. I'm > sorry if pointing this out steps on toes but to say nothing only > perpetuates racial stereotypes and disenfranchises all Americans from > arguably our most significant cultural accomplishment. > > Bob Olhsson Audio Mastery, Nashville TN > Mastering, Audio for Picture, Mix Evaluation and Quality Control > Over 40 years making people sound better than they ever imagined! > 615.385.8051 http://www.hyperback.com > Regards -- Don Cox [log in to unmask]