This is one of the most bizarre things i have run across recently. This group apparently has a following in Japan doing 'soul' music. It's hard to tell whether laughing or crying is the appropriate response.
Having recently read a book exploring the history of blackface in american entertainment (late era practioners included Bob Wills, Sophie Tucker and let's not forget Bing Crosby's blackface number in 'Holiday Inn') I am less 'shocked' than the blogger who directed me to it.
My thoughtful guess is that this is just more Americana-philia from the Japanese w/o enough context to realize how ugly this is to our eyes (now).
uh, jeff, what is this? pls explain!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, forgot to say, thanks for your blog!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most bizarre things i have run across recently. This group apparently has a following in Japan doing 'soul' music. It's hard to tell whether laughing or crying is the appropriate response.
ReplyDeleteHaving recently read a book exploring the history of blackface in american entertainment (late era practioners included Bob Wills, Sophie Tucker and let's not forget Bing Crosby's blackface number in 'Holiday Inn') I am less 'shocked' than the blogger who directed me to it.
My thoughtful guess is that this is just more Americana-philia from the Japanese w/o enough context to realize how ugly this is to our eyes (now).