I Hear a Symphony: Motown and Crossover R&B (Tracking Pop) - Hardcover

I Hear a Symphony opens new territory in the study of Motown&;s legacy, arguing that the music of Motown was indelibly shaped by the ideals of Detroit&;s postwar black middle class; that Motown&;s creative personnel participated in an African-American tradition of dialogism in rhythm and blues while developing the famous &;Motown Sound.&; Throughout the book, Flory focuses on the central importance of &;crossover&; to the Motown story; first as a key concept in the company&;s efforts to reach across American commercial markets, then as a means to extend influence internationally, and finally as a way to expand the brand beyond strictly musical products. Flory&;s work reveals the richness of the Motown sound, and equally rich and complex cultural influence Motown still exerts.