Frantz Duchazeau

A dramatization of the field work of John and Alan Lomax in 1933 to record traditional, folk, and blues music for the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress. The two White men drive through Texas and Mississippi with a car full of sound equipment trying to find Black people willing to speak with them. The effort is made difficult due to mistrust, especially when racist local sheriffs and plantation owners intervene. (Trigger warning: N-word usage)

There are cameos by Guitar Slim, Lead Belly, and Son House, as well as a four-page adaptation of the song "Stagolee" (or "Stagger Lee").

An interesting if low-key sketch that makes me want to learn more about the subject.… (meer)

Una storia vera quella dei Lomax, come dice il titolo, ricercatori di folk songs. Padre e figlio nel sud degli States, i luoghi in cui un nero è un nero ed un bianco un bianco, alla ricerca di musica popolare, quella delle piantagioni di cotone, dei tagliatori di legna, sempre a metà tra la rabbia del soul e la religiosità del gospel. La difficoltà di due bianchi di interfacciarsi con i neri, con quei neri, e in quell’America è l’asse portante del libro. Purtroppo, per il resto, complice il disegno, la storia rimane sempre piatta, non emerge mai, rimane sempre sospesa in attesa di qualcosa che non accadrà mai. E così la lettura scorre veloce senza spunti, per carità, non sopraggiunge la noia, ma nemmeno il vero piacere che un fumetto dovrebbe dare. Peccato perché la storia c’è e proprio il ritmo, quello del soul, ciò che manca. Anche se in molti film di questo genere i tempi dei racconti sono lenti, forse è una chiave di esposizione di cui mi sfuggono le ragioni. Comunque, così e così.… (meer)

This graphic biography covers the life of Mozart during the six months that he lived in Paris with his mother when he was 22. While there, he worried a lot about his father's expectations for him. Mozart taught the harpsichord, slept around and composed. He socialized with the wealthiest Parisians with hope that he would receive commissions for musical scores. Of course, he was able to get some jobs but was disappointed with his reception by Parisians. They preferred a different style of music.

There was something awkward about the writing but I can't put my finger on it. It made me lose interest quickly. Since it was originally written in French perhaps there is a translation issue. The drawings were were unusual (to me) compared to other graphic novels that I have read. I was not able to find any information on the style of the drawings and feel clueless here.

It is normally impossible for me to not life a graphic novel but this one did not click with me.… (meer)