tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382000901773344023.post5694525774988912010..comments2024-03-14T14:50:43.790-04:00Comments on The Civil War Picket: J.E.B. Stuart's personal banjo player and his famous brothers drew on instrument's African rootsPhil Gasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01388284468989278770noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5382000901773344023.post-27532498040226381342014-01-24T14:47:05.053-05:002014-01-24T14:47:05.053-05:00"The music tells us what was going on in Amer..."The music tells us what was going on in America at the time and is part of our history." I love this attitude. Most times people want to efface the historical record if it is offensive or politically incorrect. To me it is dishonest, and smack of historical revisionism. I have been impressed that the Chocolate Drops have embraced this part of their heritage, rather than turn away from it. It is such a rich heritage. The WPA slave narratives are a fascinating read. This is something I have always wondered about: how did a traditional African musical instrument become so synonymous with white southern stereotypes? I think this comment might be on to something: "I would say (the banjo) became a more harmonic instrument. The European sense of rhythm and melody is a different aesthetic than the African one." I look forward to the next post. Additionally, I am sure the movie "Deliverance" affected people's perception of the banjo as well. Chadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01068141339585846484noreply@blogger.com