Singing Australian: A history of folk and country music
Singing Australian tells how two musical styles,
folk and country, have in the past thirty years taken their place in the public
sphere. The scenes claim to speak for
the nation, yet despite their links, they do so in different voices, and to
different audiences. In this new book Graeme Smith traces the history of these
musical movements and the ideas and styles which propel them. These scenes are
shown to be powerful and eloquent participants in the public debates on
national community which have permeated Australian public life over the last
thirty years.
The book draws on wide ranging musical and social
research. It gives a sense of the enthusiasm and musical energy which propel
these scenes revealing both the
limitations and the strengths of the genres.
Published by Pluto Press, June 2005
ISBN 1 86403 241 3 $ 35.95
Singing Australian
is available through this website for the special price of $30 including post and packaging (to
Australian destinations).