I’m fascinated by a type of music I’ve heard only in movies but can’t find any information about.
It’s just vocals, sounds like a large chorus, and doesn’t have any lyrics (as far as I can tell). I hear it in the background of old movies set in the south like Jezebel.
I suppose it’s out of fashion or considered too racist any more. I don’t care about all that, I think it’s beautiful. Does anybody know what this kind of music is called and where I can hear some without movie dialog interrupting it?
“Negro Spirituals” would be one term for the old music without any musical instruments.
I’ve not got a good source for acquiring this kind of music, but maybe a Google search would turn up something.
There was a thread in this same forum within the past few days about early blues artists, but these would be accompanied by guitar, harmonica, etc.
Good luck in your search, becausre the music you seek is indeed different and uplifting.
If my guess is correct, Smithsonian Folkways, Rounder Records, and Shanachie are known for having the music you’re looking for in their catalogues. Also, Alan Lomax was known for his field recordings of American folk music, including those from from the South. Hope that helps.