The Sound of the Dove
Singing in Appalachian Primitive Baptist Churches
Illuminating the music of and singers within a sacred folksong tradition
Paper – $30
978-0-252-07003-7
Publication Date
Paperback: 07/16/2001
Series: Music in American Life
About the Book
In The Sound of the Dove, Beverly Bush Patterson explores one of the oldest traditions of American religious folksong: unaccompanied congregational singing in the Primitive Baptist churches of Appalachia. Using interviews, field observations, historical research, song transcriptions, and musical analysis, Patterson explores the dynamic relationship between singing and theology in these churches, the genesis of their musical practices, and the unexpectedly significant role of women in their conservative congregations.An hour-long audio recording of Primitive Baptist singing is available separately.
About the Author
Beverly Bush Patterson is a former folklife specialist with the North Carolina Arts Council and a coauthor of the Index to Selected Folk Recordings.Reviews
"This insightful study fills a great gap in American folk music scholarship and demonstrates ways that sensitive feminist scholarship can illuminate surprising corners of traditional culture."--William Bernard McCarthy, Journal of American FolkloreRelated Titles
