Table of Contents
"Conversion Experience Narrative"
Original pages 2-6 in Alcheringa New Series Volume 2 #1
PDF Excerpt: alcheringa_new-2-1_1976.pdf
Audio MP3 via Pennsound
Performed by Son House
Transcribed and Recorded by Jeff Titon
Overview
“Conversion Experience Narrative” recalls House's time converting to Christianity, after being asked by Jeff Titon why he took up blues so late in life. House's reply was recorded on May 8, 1971, at the Gopher Campus Motor Lodge.
Commentary
In this recording, House' deep gritty tone is memorable. All throughout, House spoke with changes in tempo and volume. To create an authentic transcription of the interview, Titon noted the following:
1) pauses based on length (double or triple spaces or line breaks)
2) slow tempo (spaces between words)
3) volume (boldface, normal or italic type)
Titon does a good job of replicating House's speech with printed text. The spaces clearly accentuate the multiple pauses House provides to allow the information just spoken to resonate with the listeners.
Bibliography
House, Son. “Conversion Experience Narrative.” Alcheringa New Series, edited by Dennis Tedlock and Jerome Rothenberg, vol. 2, no. 1, 1976, pp. 2–6. https://media.sas.upenn.edu/ jacket2/pdf/reissues/alcheringa/Alcheringa_New-2-1_1976.pdf.
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