The Pop, Rock, and Soul Reader: Histories and Debates

by David Brackett (Editor)

The Pop, Rock, and Soul Histories and Debates , Second Edition, traces the evolution of diverse streams of American popular music from the 1920s to the present. In this richly textured anthology, well-known scholar David Brackett brings together more than 100 readings from a wide range
of sources and by writers who have played an integral part in the development of popular music criticism. Brackett includes articles from mainstream and specialized magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals, as well as interviews and autobiographies of musicians and other music industry
insiders. Organized into broad time periods, the chapters are divided into sections by genre, and these sections are organized chronologically. The chapter divisions parallel those found most frequently in textbooks on popular music.
Representing a wide variety of time periods, styles, and genres--and including groundbreaking criticism on disco, hip-hop, rap, and techno--the selections introduce students to important social and cultural issues raised by the study of popular music. Topics covered include the role of race,
class conflict, gender roles, regional differences in the reception of popular music, and the relative value of artistry versus commerce. Extensive editorial introductions and headnotes supply context for the selections, provide links between different eras and genres, clarify the issues raised by
the documents, and explain their historical significance. The second edition of this captivating anthology features eleven new source readings and introductions, further reading and discography selections for each chapter, and a companion website containing student and instructor resources.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, College, Reference

574 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2004

Reviews

[Bob Shadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent review of the development of pop through all the way from minstrely, jazz, blues, r&b, gospel and earlier pop; really fun as our daughter used this book while studying at the University of London and when we visited I got to sit in on a class, which was really fun since I grew up with all the early rock, blues-rock, etc.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of different music writings. Pretty good coverage of all of the different developments since the 30s. Some of the writings are boring, but I like the mix of writings and learned a lot. Fairly academic at points but I’m a nerd.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now, it surprises no one that I enjoy reading textbooks. I mean I'll read nearly anything. Including how many bathroom stalls have my number etched in it (not nearly enough, I assure you).

So snatchurally a book on music history and it's impact on society and culture, I surely can't resist. It's as addicting as Ore Ida Tater Tots with Heinz Jalapeno ketchup (which yes, DOES exist and I expect a kick-back from making the sales of those two skyrocket in my heavily read book reviews).

Onwards!

Now I feel as though it goes without saying that at points, textbooks get a WEE BIT boring - but when do I ever go without saying anything?? I mean, they're textbooks kids and the chapters hold more than Patterson's three paragraphs. So it dragged at points, I'll admit that. It was a struggle, but I persevered!

Some interesting parts included articles correlating rock n' roll music to Hitler's mass meetings and the effect it had on youth. I mean, if that doesn't make you feel like a bit of a badass errrytime you listen from Johnny Cash to Metallica to the Beatles, then I just don't know what does.

A personal highlight for me included reading about Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly' and "Wild In The Streets"... I've never seen the word "whorehouse" used so much in a textbook! Skeet Skeet SKEET!

All in all, it was good, but if you aren't insanely over passionate about music, it's history, it's impact, it's favorite breakfast food... than this one isn't for you.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading books that my youngest has to read for college out loud to him. We have just finished the reading for a study of rock and roll in American culture that has been really fascinating, even if the reading for it hasn't always been. This book is very densely written, but it was by far the best at conveying the popular culture of the time. The book consists of interviews and articles written about key performers and overarching trends in rock and roll over the years, starting with the 1930's and 1940's and then going all the way through hip hop and ending with what the future holds given things like file sharing, Spotify, and the rapid decline of the CD. It does not cover the ironic rise in popularity of the LP, which went out of favor and then out of print during my youth. I have always preferred the warmth of the sound of LPs but have to admit that over 90% of the music I listen to comes directly through Spotify, and is often not of the very best sound quality. However, there may be a time when I return to LPs. Probably not. You really have to have a lot of time on your hands, and college is the perfect time for that. In any case this book is fascinating in that is it first person accounts from the time that the music they are writing or speaking about was happening, and it gives a very different perspective on the music and the performers.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is comprised of a bunch of primary sources, such as reviews, bios, and newspaper/magazine articles, in addition to a few secondary essays. While the information contained in the book is very good and usually interestingly written, the chapters seemed to be arranged in a strange way, and I couldn't quite understand the progression and evolution of pop music from the way this book was structured. The primary sources, though, are excellent, and a joy to read.

[Amber]

I love this book. Short articles about musical genres from the period the music rose to popularity or significance. I'm working this slowly, skipping around according to my interests, sort of like one might do with a collection of short stories.

[Ryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for my 1960's history and music honors class at Coverse. Fun times but I don't remember much of it.