- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: National Geographic Books (27 Jun 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 079224107X
- ISBN-13: 978-0792241072
- Product Dimensions: 20.5 x 2 x 26.1 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 719,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
On March 15, 1890, ethnographer Jesse Walter Fewkes walked out onto a field in Calais, Maine, and, pumping a foot treadle for power, recorded a Passamaquoddy Indian singing a salutation song. The first field recording of traditional music ever made, the song he captured was heard around the world, creating a revolution in music that continues today. Fewkes, the first 'songcatcher' - recordists who go into the field to capture musical sound - stood at the threshold of the age of modern technology. Others coming quickly after him ventured much farther afield: They recorded the shamanic chants of the Siberian rim; the dying folk music of isolated European villagers; the ecstatic gamelon sounds of Bali; the trance drumming of Africa. They lugged their ponderous gear into the High Andes and to remote Pacific islands. Some of their names are well-known - Paul Bowles, Alan Lomax, Bela Bartok - some are unknown and unsung. They did more than bring back sound. They brought back adventure; they broadened the idea of what music meant and what culture could produce. In Songcatchers, Mickey Hart traces the adventures of these field recordists, as well as his own. At the same time, he tells the story of the extraordinary developments in technology that made sound capturing possible: How sound waves were first imprinted in wax, then how electric microphones, radio, and other inventions changed the world soundscape. And how, with the advent of computers and the digital age, a recordist can now walk into a remote corner of the globe with nothing more than a pocket-size digital recorder, a few batteries, and a microphone, and capture the world of the rain forest - its peoples, animals, and spirit - for tens of thousands of listeners to appreciate.
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4 reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
"Music connects us with the soul."
3 Dec 2004
Format:Hardcover
When I bought this book ,I was buying it with my 40 year old son in mind.I thought I would glance at it, and Boy ,am I glad I did.My son enjoys Rock,and even plays a bit of it.I have'nt developed much of a feel for it,but really like Classic Country,Folk,Bluegrass ,Soul,Irish ballads and some Rock and Roll.As a matter of fact,I have heard of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia but I didn't even know that Mickey Hart was their drummer.So,I guess I'm really out of my league writing a review on this book;but here goes anyway.
This book bowled me over in a couple of ways.It really convinced me that all music is important and precious.That goes for Hank Williams singing "The First Fall of Snow",Woody Guthrie singing Philadelphia Lawyer,Elvis singing "Love Me Tender",Sinatra singing "New York,New York",Patty Reilly singing "The Town I Love So Well",the music of the Rain Forest,regional and tribal music from around the world, and even my son's Rock.
As a great lover of books,I can't begin to imagine what it would be like if we had nothing that was written prior to 1879.Well,that is exactly what Hart makes us think about,because there is not a single sound that was made befor that date,recorded,and can be replayed today.That thought is mind-boggling;and how many have even given it a thought?
Hart has made major contributions in trying to get the world's music recorded,particularly music from remote areas and cultures.A year or two ago I got the Asch Recordings,Vol.1-4 of Woody Guthrie ,by Smithsonian Folksways Recordings and even though I enjoy it very much,I had no idea what the background of it was--but thanks to this book,I can now appreciate it.
It takes someone with the talent and dedication of Mickey Hart to get involved and is certainly fortunate that he is on the Board of Directors at Smithonian Folksways.
Music and sound are as important as any other aspect of a culture and if not recorded is lost forever.
Just think about it ,we have the physical remains of the ancient pyrimids of Egypt to look at or even visit,there are all kinds of written material surviving,but not a single sound of the activity and the songs that must have been sung as they did their work.We dont't have to go back 4000 years;there is not a single battle sound ,music or song surviving from the Civil War.That's why what Mickey Hart has to say in this book is so important.
This book bowled me over in a couple of ways.It really convinced me that all music is important and precious.That goes for Hank Williams singing "The First Fall of Snow",Woody Guthrie singing Philadelphia Lawyer,Elvis singing "Love Me Tender",Sinatra singing "New York,New York",Patty Reilly singing "The Town I Love So Well",the music of the Rain Forest,regional and tribal music from around the world, and even my son's Rock.
As a great lover of books,I can't begin to imagine what it would be like if we had nothing that was written prior to 1879.Well,that is exactly what Hart makes us think about,because there is not a single sound that was made befor that date,recorded,and can be replayed today.That thought is mind-boggling;and how many have even given it a thought?
Hart has made major contributions in trying to get the world's music recorded,particularly music from remote areas and cultures.A year or two ago I got the Asch Recordings,Vol.1-4 of Woody Guthrie ,by Smithsonian Folksways Recordings and even though I enjoy it very much,I had no idea what the background of it was--but thanks to this book,I can now appreciate it.
It takes someone with the talent and dedication of Mickey Hart to get involved and is certainly fortunate that he is on the Board of Directors at Smithonian Folksways.
Music and sound are as important as any other aspect of a culture and if not recorded is lost forever.
Just think about it ,we have the physical remains of the ancient pyrimids of Egypt to look at or even visit,there are all kinds of written material surviving,but not a single sound of the activity and the songs that must have been sung as they did their work.We dont't have to go back 4000 years;there is not a single battle sound ,music or song surviving from the Civil War.That's why what Mickey Hart has to say in this book is so important.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The Best Thus Far Of Hart's Many Outstanding Books
12 Aug 2003
Format:Hardcover
Mickey Hart is in full-boogie these days touring with The Dead, and millions of fans are grateful they're back on the road. But lest anyone misunderstand the depth and scope of Mr. Hart's broad musical background, this book should be considered essential reading. He has painstakingly researched and documented recorded music in a way that I quite honestly never considered in any formal way. Best of all, he's illuminated the historical process and power of recorded music on a global platform, all-the-while presenting it in the most readble and accessible manner. I believe this is the best of Mr. Hart's many outstanding books on music. No wonder he works for the Smithsonian. Scholarly, yes. Boring, not for a single word.
World music
19 Mar 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fabulous book. Too bad it couldn't be sent to Canada. Why not? Book was here quickly despite the detour to Wisconsin.
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