Recorded Music in American Life: The Phonograph and Popular Memory, 1890-1945
"Kenney captures the imagination as he weaves together detail and insight, chronicling strains of elitism within the various recording companies and the adoption of jazz tunes and other popular music....This book is a must read for those interested in the recording industry or the history of popular music.  It also sets a high standard for graduate students seeking to read works that incorporate excellent research technique and understanding with superb writing."--Journal of History"Detailed studies of the phonograph and recorded music are seriously lacking. A book such as this is long overdue, and Kenney's work will open the field of study in a most appropriate and scholarly manner. This is a valuable and useful contribution to the study of American life."--Sam Brylawski; Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division; Library of Congress"At last someone has attempted to place the phonograph industry in the context of America's cultural life. This book provides the first systematic attempt at integrating the entertainment medium broadly into twentieth-century American life . . . makes claims that have been in need of debate for some time now."--Victor Greene, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee"A fascinating exploration of the topic and addition to the literature; highly recommended for all libraries."--Choice"In this comprehensive study, Kenney provides a long-overdue update of histories such as Roland Gelatt'sThe Fabulous Phonograph: From Tin Foil to High Fidelity...[he] asks innovative theoretical questions."--American Historical Review