Here are a selection of associated research projects, both (a) current and on-going and (b) possible / potential:
(A) Current and On-Going Projects
‘Gospel Blues’
The blues based form of gospel music – a combination of blues guitar and evangelical lyrics. More details coming soon as an integral part of this website.
‘Slave To The Blues’
This is a long-term project which seeks to focus on the secular roots of the Blues back in slavery times in the USA, highlighting the non-religious music of the African-American before 1865. For more information see the Research Section of www.earlyblues.com
‘Slavery and The Underground Railroad’
Providing an insight into the Underground Railroad movement during American slavery times; this secret and illegal network that was neither ‘underground’ nor a ‘railroad’ provided a means of freedom from the brutal systems and laws of slavery in the USA. For further information see www.undergroundrailroad.org.uk . The website incorporates the origins of the underground railroad, a chronology of key dates and significant events, influential people, locations and associated events, themes, essays and articles, a bibliography of key reference literature, a discography including key recordings, and Internet website references.
(B) Possible / Potential Future Projects
‘Southern Gospel’
Sometimes called “quartet music” due to the original all male, tenor-lead-baritone-bass quartet makeup, this type of music depends on strong harmonies, often with very wide ranges.
‘Barbershop Music’
Barbershop quartets originated with African American men socializing in barbershops; they would harmonize while waiting their turn, vocalizing in spirituals, folk songs and popular songs.
‘Bluegrass Music’
A form of American roots music, with roots in English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish traditional music.
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If you have any comments, contributions (information, articles or essays) or any other queries, please email me, Alan White at alan.white@earlygospel.com .