Every Tone a Testimony: An African American Aural History

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 27, 2001)
• Original Release Date: January 23, 2001
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000056CAA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #163,123 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This double CD draws upon the collection at the Smithsonian Folkways archive to create a history of African American life and culture in sound- an aural history. Encompassing both the African American oral and literary traditions, these 59 tracks feature an unparalleled assembly of voices in music, oratory, poetry, and prose by historically renowned African American musicians, writers, and activists. The sounds collected here are testimony to the power, creativity, and resilience of Black expressive forms that have received recognition throughout the world. 59 tracks run 2 hours, 27 minutes, 40-page booklet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most exciting resource for American History!, August 27, 2001

By	AfroAmericanHeritage (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This is without a doubt the most exciting American History resource to cross my desk in years! It contains 59 tracks (nearly two and a half hours) of material drawn from the Smithsonian Folkways archive, organized to create a history of African American life and culture in sound. It presents music, poetry, oratory and prose by historically renowned African American musicians, writers and activists spanning two centuries. Just a sampling of the diverse voices you'll hear include Langston Hughes, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B.Du Bois, Margaret Walker, the Fisk Jubliee Singers, Gwendolyn Brooks, Paul Robeson, Muddy Waters, the SNCC Freedom Singers , Martin Luther King, Jr, Nikki Giovanni, and Arrested Development. Writers who predate recorded sound are also represented in historic recordings; for example, Arna Bontemps reads the writings of Lucy Terry, Ruby Dee reads Sojourner Truth and Ida B. Wells-Barnett. I was especially impressed by the equal representation of women. It also includes an extensive booklet with supplemental material. Anyone who teaches American History or African American Studies cannot afford to be without this CD, and anyone who loves aural history will want it in their collection. It's invaluable.