Draws on field recordings and interviews with dozens of local New York singers to tell the story of sacred quartet singing in New York City's African-American church community, tracing its evolution and its role in worship and culture.
"Allen . . . fills a need for information on this segment of the black 'spiritual entertainment' tradition in music with a balanced presentation of the New York history, repertoire, aesthetics, performance style, and future of sacred quartet singing. Telling quotations express performers' experiences, giving his book a welcome 'inside story' perspective. Selected examples of lyrics present images of both tradition and spontaneity (improvisation is part of the tradition). This serious ethnomusicological study . . . will appeal more to students than to general readers."—Library Journal
