I See the Rhythm of Gospel

Gr 5—8—In this follow-up to I See the Rhythm (Children's Press, 1998), Igus and Wood take readers on a musical journey tracing the evolution of the African-American spiritual, "born out of the brutality of slavery," into the gospel music of today. Rhyming text and striking, colorful folk art come together in information-packed spreads. The text, opposite full-page paintings, varies in size and color. Running across the top, side, or bottom is a time line of significant events and people in African-American history, beginning with 1485 and the Portuguese slave trade until 2008 and the election of Barack Obama. Descriptive captions accompany the vivid paintings, and the subtle inclusion of the "spirit of the artist" as a child in each illustration is a nice touch. Text and images follow the development of gospel music within the context of the overall African-American experience: "I see the rhythm of Africa,/the mother of humanity"; "I see the rhythm of a New World,/strange beliefs,/a life of despair,/a life of grief"; "I see the rhythm of our hope….of jubilee day….of Bronzeville….gospel quartets….of our lament….Motown and funk…," and more. A concluding section, the "Word on Gospel," has brief comments by several well-known gospel singers. The CD features five gospel songs representing different eras.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH