The Memphis Blues Again: Six Decades of Memphis Music Photographs

Rating:
Summary: extraordinary insight into 20th century america
Review: aretha,elvis,bb king,jerry lee lewis,duke ellington sam cooke, al green,ray charles,helen humes,james brown, tina turner,the snearly ranch boys.. they all lived in or came to memphis to perform and record. this collection of images which spans four decades provides rare insight into the talent that was atrracted to and lived in this city which was the gateway from the oppression of mississippi.withers' photographs seem alive with the youth and exuberance of these young, legends in the making. the subjects seem oblivious to the camera and withers must have had carte blanche to capture the enegy and private moments of these american icons. any serious student of this country and the roots of its traditions should have this volume.daniel wolff has done all of us a favor in publishing the work of withers. it appears he has just scratched the surface

Rating:
Summary: A Champion of America
Review: Ernest Withers is perhaps one of the true champions of the American civil rights movement and also one of the most important photographers of this century. In a gracious and unassuming manner, he was witness to a good deal of the civil rights events in the South, his weapon of eloquence - a camera. This book assembles some of his photographs of the blues and the rhythm and blues scene in Memphis. I cannot compare it to any other work, because it is unique and as much a part of our cultural history as anything that I have ever seen. It is a compelling document of the people and their environs and deserves a wider audience than it will probably earn. Spread the word.