Bücher von Paul Oliver

Expert guidance for postgraduate and research students on how to plan, prepare and produce a thesis or dissertation.

This is a new, thoroughly revised edition of Paul Oliver's classic study of the blues. First published in 1960, this remarkable book has not been superseded and its reappearance will be welcomed by all who wish to understand the complexity of meaning in the blues and the experiences which they expressed. The book examines the functions of the blues as black American folk music recorded during the 78 rpm era, from the 1920s to the 1950s. The lyrics are quoted extensively throughout the book, revealing their significance as a means of communication within black society. The author shows how the themes of labour and unemployment, migration and the Depression years, love, sex, and marriage, crime, violence and imprisonment, disasters, sickness, war and death are expressed in black idioms and he discusses their meaning on many levels.

Paul Oliver rediscovers the wealth of neglected vocal traditions issued on 'Race records'. He discusses the songs of Southern entertainments, and the sacred vocal traditions, from the Baptist and sanctified preaches to the gospel songs of the church congregations and song. Sermons of the 'jack leg' preachers and street evangelists.