At the first level, "Higher Ground" by Wisconsin professor Craig Werner is a biographical book simultaneously tracking the careers of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Curtis Mayfield. More importantly, it views the developments in soul music, race relations and the African American community over the past 40 years through the prism of Werner's thesis that the spirit of both soul music and the early civil rights movement were fueled by a "Gospel Vision" emanating from the African American Christian church. It is a vision, historically bound to the Passion of Christ and the 400 year history of African Americans, in which suffering is expected – perhaps even necessary – but ultimately, if the community stays the course and stays united, there will be redemption and a new, better life ahead for all. The careers of these three artists are a study of their belief in and reliance on this vision to work through the significant physical and emotional adversity they all faced. Sadly, the book also tracks the political and sociological changes of the past 30 years that have left the vision in doubt. It leaves open the question of whether in 2004, the "Gospel Vision" is still relevant, or whether the messages of money, sex and violence that dominate modern music reflect a permanent separation of the Gospel Vision from the "groove," with the community vision being replaced by a more individualistic, materialistic message. Whether one adopts Werner's thesis or not, it is clear that "Higher Ground" is one of the most important discussions of the role of Soul Music in the development of America over the past 2 generations – what it is and what it could have been. Well worth finding and reading.
Chris Rizik
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