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Lecture Video Segment 4: The Role of the Black Church
For Eileen Southern, "The vocal quality of contemporary gospel is fully in the black tradition...The full-throated, strained, raspy sound is sought after; special effects are practically obligatory — The growl, falsetto, humming, moaning... male singers who overemphasize their falsetto tones; female singers, their lower register tones. This gospel quality has come to characterize other types of singing associated with black people, most especially in rhythm and blues and soul as well as jazz." Musical excerpt: "Be My Husband," by Nina Simone. | |