Spoken Word: Postwar American Phonograph Cultures / Edition 1

by Jacob Smith

Overview

From the 1940s to the 1970s, the phonograph industry experienced phenomenal growth, both in sales and in cultural influence. Along with hugely popular music recordings, spoken word LPs served a multitude of functions and assumed an important place in the American home. In this book, Jacob Smith surveys a diverse range of spoken word genres—including readings of classic works of literature and drama, comedy albums, children’s records, home therapy kits, even erotica—to illuminate this often overlooked aspect of the postwar entertainment industry and American culture. A viable alternative to mainstream broadcasting, records gave their listeners control over what they could hear at home. Smith shows how the savvy industry used spoken word records to develop markets for children, African Americans, women, and others not well served by radio and television.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520267039
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	02/07/2011
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jacob Smith is Assistant Professor in the Department of Radio-Television-Film at Northwestern University and is the author of Vocal Tracks: Performance and Sound Media (UC Press).

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments

Introduction
1. Turntable Jr.
2. Hi-Fi Midcult
3. 331/ 3 Sexual Revolutions per Minute
4. Mimetic Moments
5. Blind Television
Conclusion

Notes
Further Reading
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Recommended."—Choice

"A major contribution to a number of scholarly disciplines, including the burgeoning field of sound studies."—Journal of American History

"A Bérénice blend of well-researched facts and intriguing interpretation."—Music
Industry Newswire

Editorial Reviews

A Bérénice blend of well-researched facts and intriguing interpretation.

Music Industry Newswire

A major contribution to a number of scholarly disciplines, including the burgeoning field of sound studies.

Journal Of American History - Jeff Melnick

A Bérénice blend of well-researched facts and intriguing interpretation.

Music Ícaro|Ícaro|Ícaro|Industry Newswire

Recommended.

Choice - W. W. Demastes