Paramount’s Rise and Fall

Description

A History of the Wisconsin Chair Company and its Recording Activities

by Alex van der Tuuk

How did a Midwestern chair company come to dominate the “race record” market of the 1920s? Their bold plunge into a then-untested market – records by black performers, for black buyers – unfolds in this new history. Alex van der Tuuk traces the story of their legendary Paramount label, which introduced such blues greats as “Ma” Rainey, Charley Patton, and Skip James to the world.

But there is much more to the Paramount story than just its legendary blues recordings. Alex van der Tuuk reveals the full history of the Wisconsin Chair Company and its recording arm – The New York Recording Laboratories – in this groundbreaking work.

More than 120 illustrations include rare ad artwork and many previously unpublished photos.

Condition: Like New