African Music: A People's Art

by Francis Bebey

Engaging and enlightening, this guide explores African music's forms, musicians, instruments, and place in the life of the people. A discography classified by country, theme, group, and instrument is also included.

Genres: Music, History, Africa

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing information. Even though it's an academic book, I found myself absorbed and reading it like a novel, then trying to find the music examples. As a vocalist I would have liked to had more info on voice, but that's a big subject and needs a book on its own. A great resource.

[Giacomo Gnecchi Ruscone · Rating 3 out of 5]

First published in 1969, this took me a couple of years to finish despite being "short". I have the sensation it hasn't aged great, also considering the (very valuable) references to (now mostly obsolete/not easily findable) album references but also the time/society it was written in (late 60s). Great introduction, maybe a little too scholarly. I think it would highly benefit from a new remake, modernized/multimedia version to be consumable by a larger, curious audience. It is a fascinating world Bebey introduces to in this essay.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is precisely what it sounds like, nothing more nothing less (well, maybe a bit of anti-colonialist rhetoric as icing on the social anthropology cake...) fun and full of interesting tidbits.

[John Scudder · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his interviews and music Bebey has such an infectious joy about him, this book really captures that. I'm no music theory nerd so alot of that stuff went over my head but the anthropological content is moving and engaging.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very complete book for people interested in African Rhytmns and the Culture that feeds this beatifull music.

[Arcane_Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a good brief overview of the different kinds of African music with awesome photos on almost every page.