We'll Understand It Better By and By: Pioneering African American Gospel Composers (The "Wade in the Water" Series) - Softcover

Reagon ... points out that the music of black Americans is at the base of the majority of popular music not only in this country, but in the world... We'll Understand It Better By and By reaches back to the roots of gospel music and its genesis among African-Americans. Philadelphia Inquirer This large, handsomely illustrated volume ... explores the lives, times, and accomplishments of six of the most influential composers of gospel music: Charles A. Tindley, Lucie E. Campbell Williams, Thomas A. Dorsey, William H. Brewster, Sr., Roberta Martin, and Kenneth Morris. American Historical Review With fascinating narratives, stories, and groundbreaking research, this momentous work is a landmark in the scholarship of gospel music. The Griot Reagon presents a superb collection of essays - by academics who are also gospel performers or record producers - that focus on major figures in black gospel music. Publishers Weekly With its useful bibliography, discography, interviews, and essays, this collection explors the 'rough side of the mountain' that these important but overlooked composers have traversed and vividly evoked throughout this century Journal of American History A splendidly comprehensive and invaluable history of one of our most rousing and treasured forms of art and worship... Reagon and her contributors explore every aspect of gospel's history, spiritual significance, and influence on secular music. Booklist By eloquently and forcefully making a case for a spiritual core within African American gospel music, Reagon has paved the way for similar approaches to the investigation of appropriate genres in Western music. American Music

From the congregations of small African churches in Memphis, Philadelphia, and Chicago to the nationwide fans of the Golden Gate Quartet, Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke, Edwin Hawkins and others, gospel music has profoundly influenced Americans. This book brings together some of the best pioneering composers and shows the impact of their work on music and culture in America and abroad.