>
>No, I think J. is pointing out that music in black protestant churches
>is the musical precursor of R & B. Lots of flatted sevenths and flatted
>thirds, IV-I (plagial) cadences. I agree: without that culture of black
>gospel music, there's no R & B (or soul or funk or rock!).
>
>Miles
I'm still not convinced. Gospel is just one stream of what came out of musical traditions carried from Africa. The developments of gospel and blues were separate in important ways and I'd say there's a stronger case for saying no r&b without blues than without gospel.