Big Star Fallin' Mama

Book excerpt: "The blues - what is it, or what are they? Singular or plural - a way to sing or the way you feel? Big Star Fallin' Mama tells what the blues is about, in an extraordinary narrative of five black women and black music." "With grace and style, Hettie Jones explores the lives and times of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin. Each of these gifted singers made a unique contribution to the blues, and to the world." "This revised edition features new material which covers musical trends and performers relevant to today's culture, such as the rap and hip-hop movements and the pop singer Whitney Houston. It includes over thirty photographs and a foreword by the music critic Nelson George, as well as an updated bibliography, discography, and index."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved