The Concise Garland Encyclopedia of World Music - 9780415972932

This 2-volume work is a condensed and updated edition derived from the definitive 10-volume Garland encyclopedia of world music. The material is presented by geographic area, with introductory chapters for each region. The music of Africa is presented in sections on West, North, East, Central, and Southern Africa, with an overview for each section combined with chapters devoted to closely defined topics such as the music of the Tuareg, music and poetry in Somalia, and praise singing in northern Sierra Leone. The essays describe the geography and ethnography of each region, then discuss musical instruments, styles, contexts, and the social organization of musicians' groups, as applicable. For music of the United States and Canada, multiple chapters present a gamut of specific styles of music, including traditional Irish dance music and song, Polish polka, tejano, hip-hop, and jazz. The 2 volumes are divided into 9 world regions, with multiple chapters on the areas of each. The contributors are musicologists and ethnomusicologists worldwide. Impressive in scope and expertise, the work is well-illustrated throughout with b&w plates and includes bibliographies and maps of each region. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)