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Subject: Typical Girls: Women in Punk/Post-Punk/Underground Music (Circa 1975-1980s)

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  • From: lsmith <yelmo2000 AT yahoo.com>
  • To: "Typical Girls: Women in Punk/Post-Punk/Underground Music (Circa 1975-1980s)" <typicalgirls AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [TypicalGirls] music of the common tongue
  • Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:08:06 -0700 (PDT)

Has anyone read the book "Music of the Common Tongue: Survival and
Celebration in Afro-American Music" by Christopher Small? I picked it up at
the library because it has the *SEXyIST* cover I've ever seen. I tried to
find a picture of it online, but only found a newer version. Anyhow, I just
started it and it's very interesting. It came out in 1987, and is about the
African contribution to culture, specifically music.

Written by New Zealander, who, according to the intro, was raised on and
taught European music. As he was teaching in England, in the 70s, and I
believe he was in his 40s, he explored new musics, and it seems, new ideas.

I'm asking in part because this is a LONG book, and I'm not sure I'm up for
it, and also, because I think it could be quite interesting. I've been
feeling like I've had it with being told that England and Europe are so
great. One of my jobs is in a movie theater, and I'm sick of the british
movies about their fucked up royalty. I've never felt anything when listening
to most classical, especially chamber music, but I've always thought that
meant there was something wrong with me!
In describing an annual concert in London, he concludes
"The link between the performance of classical music and the objectives of
the powerful could not have been more nakedly exposed, nor could the extent
to which the young...have assimilated those objectives as their own." p. 170

Any thoughts, comments, other book recommendations welcome!
Lani



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