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According to Eileen Southern, professor emerita of music and Afro-American studies at Harvard, black singing during the early days of the nation was described as "distinctive for its high intensity, its use of such special effects as falsettos, shouts, groans, guttural tones." A strong, clear voice was favored, but Europeans generally described the sounds of the African voice as "a rud noyse," "a strong nasal sound," or "very loud and shrill."

"American literature contained numerous references to female slaves of colonial times who kept young audiences and adults spellbound with their ancient tales."
—Eileen Southern

In all of these cases the voice is unfamiliar, uncanny, almost otherworldly. It is a voice capable of casting spells. It is a voice concerned with its connection to the world of the spirit, its ability to invoke the presence of the divine.

Musical excerpt: "Isn't It A Shame," by Patti LaBelle.