Through substantial entries on the chief architects and innovators, Icons of R&B and Soul offers a vibrant overview of the music's impact in American culture and how it reflected contemporary society's politics, trends, and social issues.
List of Photos Preface Volume One R&B and Soul Timeline Ray Charles Little Richard Fats Domino Ruth Brown LaVern Baker Sam Cooke Jackie Wilson Etta James Ike and Tina Turner The Isley Brothers James Brown, by Andy Schwartz Curtis Mayfield Volume Two Smokey Robinson and The Miracles The Temptations The Supremes Stevie Wonder, by Jesse Jarnow Marvin Gaye Dusty Springfield Aretha Franklin Otis Redding Sly and the Family Stone George Clinton Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell Prince, by Jesse Jarnow Bibliography Index
Bob Gulla is a professional writer and co-author of The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History (2005).
As with other entries in the series, the articles in these three
volumes feature a nice mix of scholarly excellence and great
reading appeal. The editor/authors were chosen for their breadth of
knowledge, and much care was taken to present the topics in a way
that provides context. Expect to find a time line of significant
events, followed by entries with essential historical data and a
legacy discussion pointing out the significance of the icon to the
genre. Signed articles are accompanied by further reading and
interspersed with chronologies and interesting sidebars.These sets
are excellent for students requiring authoritative studies yet
popular enough in writing style to allow for leisure reading.
Recommended as solid encyclopedias of important figures, so
purchase as interest warrants for school, public, and college
library reference collections.
*Library Journal*
This biographical dictionary examines the innovations of 24 R&B
artists. From Ray Charles to Prince, the detailed entries
intimately describe the lives, backgrounds, careers and
contributions of some of the most influential figures in the
creation of R&B music. The extended essays capture not only the
details of personal lives but also the distinctive creative
processes involved in composing, performing and recording mucis.
Inevitably, the discussion also embraces a number of genres from
early rock and roll to soul, disco and funk. The scope includes
individual performers as well as prominent groups. Also highlighted
are the studio efforts of the architects the Philadelphia sound,
the producing team of Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell….. Each
entry includes a selective discography and suggestions for further
reading. Numerous sidebars feature related artists, music
companies, songs and selected issues.
*Lawrence Looks at Books*
With its extended essay format, Icons of R&B and Soul is
recommended for both large and small collections. Its depth of
coverage makes it appropriate for large collections as a useful
supplement to standard popular music reference works.
*Reference & User Services Quarterly*
In Icons of R&B and Soul, author Gulla includes a diverse group
of artists. Most of the 24 articles treat the essential royalty,
such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin, but there is also a
pleasant surprise--a lengthy entry on Dusty Springfield, the most
acclaimed British R&B singer….These works are recommended for
high-school and public libraries as well as academic libraries with
popular-culture collections. (Joint review with Icons of Rock).
*Booklist*
Secondary or college students and interested readers are treated to
compact essays of R&B and Soul artists who have made an impact
on pop and popular culture. The essays are linear beginning with
childhood. They follow the artist's life, touching on personal as
well as musical ups and downs. The volumes are arranged
chronologically in order to show the evolution of the music.
Included with each entry are black-and-white photos of the artist,
an assessment of his/her legacy, a selected discography, and a
further reading section. Volume one also begins with an R&B and
Soul time line and volume two has a bibliography of books and
music.
*MultiCultural Review*
In the preface to these volumes, Gulla opines that given the
information available on the Web, he was surprised to find a
relatively unexplored topic. And he is right; this work does fill a
void….While the author was selective, all of the giants, from Ray
Charles to Prince, are here. The limited scope is a virtue, as it
gives the author space to consider the career of each artist in
some detail….Logical subheadings guide readers through the
material, and the writing is consistently more compelling than most
standard-issue reference prose….The bibliographies, discographies,
filmographies, and lists of Web sites are extensive. This set will
be useful for reports on these musical legends.
*School Library Journal*
[A]n excellent, two-volume, in-depth survey of musicians and their
contributions to changing the atmostphere of rock and soul music.
Each featured musician receives biographical coverage, a history of
hits, social issues of their times affecting their music, a
discography and more. An outstanding survey recommended for any
music library strong in popular and soul music.
*Midwest Book Review/Internet Bookwatch*
. . . recommended for school and public libraries.
*ARBA*
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