Yodel-ay-ee-oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World

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Psychology Press, 2004 - Music - 342 pages
Did a centuries-old, Swiss mountain tradition make its way into American country music? As this fascinating book reveals; yodeling is not just a Swiss thing - everyone from Central African pygmies, Nashville hunks-in-hats, avant-grade tonsil-twisters like Meredith Monk, hip-hop stars De La Soul, and pop stars like Jewel have been known to kick back and release a yodeling refrain. Along the way, we encounter a gallery of unique characters, ranging from the legendary, such as country singer Jimmie Rodgers, to the definitely different, including Mary Schneider 'the Australian Queen of Yodeling' who specialises in yodeling Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, and the Topp Twins, a yodeling lesbian duo who employ the sound in their songs aimed at battling homophobia. The book is both a serious study of the history of yodeling around the world and a fun look at how this unique sound has worked its way into popular culture. Yodel-Ay-Ee-Ooo promises to be a classic for fans of music and popular culture.
 

Contents

I
II
5
III
25
IV
53
V
79
VI
107
VII
133
VIII
153
XI
237
XII
265
XIII
293
XIV
303
XVI
307
XVII
309
XVIII
317
XIX
325

IX
181
X
209

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About the author (2004)

Bart Plantenga is a widely published author, having written journalism, fiction, and non-fiction. His writings have appeared in Reggae, Rasta Revolution: Jamaican Music from Ska to Dub, and he has contributed to many musical and pop culture journals, including the American Music Research Center Journal. He lives in Amsterdam.

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