Physical description:

.25 l.f. including 1 audio cassette tape (TCA-0110).

Date:

2 March 1990.

Scope and content:

Lecture, "The Unrecorded Voice: Black Women and the Blues", delivered before the Middle Tennessee State University chapter of Phi Alpha Theta 2 March 1990 by Dr. Nancy Rupprecht, assistant professor of history.

This lecture uses blues songs written and performed by southern black women as a tool for understanding a largely undocumented aspect of American life. Dr. Rupprecht first discusses the musical heritage and social context of the blues and the source, form, styles and techniques of the blues and provides biographical information on "Ma" Rainey and Bessie Smith, then describes and analyzes the themes and literary devices of blues songs written and performed by Bessie Smith and others. The lecture incorporates recordings by Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Clara Smith and Ida Cox.

This group includes a written copy of the lecture and a handout including lyrics of What's the Matter Now?, Jacksonville Blues, Backwater Blues, Southern Blues, You'll Never Miss Your Jelly, Black Mountain Blues, Me and My Chauffeur Blues, and My Man Blues.

Location:

The written copy of the lecture and the handout are filed by accession number with other manuscripts. The audio tape of the lecture which is filed by tape number with other archival audio visual materials.