Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World

by Bart Plantenga

Book Overview

Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo is the first book to address the question: How did a centuries-old, Swiss mountain tradition make its way into American country music? Along the way, the reader discovers that yodeling is not just a Swiss thing--everyone from Central African pygmies, Nashville hunks-in-hats, avant-garde tonsil-twisters like Meredith Monk, hiphop 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 specializes 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-Oooo promises to be a classic for fans of music and popular culture.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415939909
• ISBN13: 9780415939904
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The best (maybe the only?) book on the subject of yodeling!

The book is exhaustive, exhausting, and huge fun. The author, Bart P., has researched yodeling better than any human being in his right mind should, and that statement should tell you a lot about the author. His style is comprehensive, engaging, and humorous, always treating yodeling lovingly but never, _ever_ taking it too seriously. If you are a yodeling fan you should have already stopped and ordered this book. If you are not one - go ahead and read it - it will turn you into one whether you like it or not.

A lively reference unparalleled in the music industry

Yodel-Ay-Ee-Oooo is the first book to provide an analysis of the art of yodeling as a world-wide phenomenon. From the Swiss mountains to the African Pygmies and beyond, this provides regional surveys of yodeling styles and yodelers, showing that the art has its roots in many countries and throughout the musical world. Add discographies of featured yodelers and you have a lively reference unparalleled in the music industry.