..."validates Neal''s intellectual and practical contribution to the fields of popular culture and Black cultural studies."
-Deborah Elizabeth Whaley, "American Studies, Fall 2002
...".carves out a well-defined intellectual and theoretical space for the post-soul generation--the "soul babies of history."
-Deborah Elizabeth Whaley, "American Studies, Fall 2002
"Neal''s cogent, coherent, and comprehensive "What the Music Said is arguably the definitive study of the relationship between 20th-century black American music and black American society as a whole."
-Bill Piekarski, "Library Journal
"Neal''s grasp of the sociology of urban development is impressive, as is his familiarity with African-American studies scholarship and his knowledge of black popular music. Neal has undertaken to achieve a grand synthesis of popular culture and social research about the post-World War II black diaspora. Neal possesses encyclopedic knowledge of the music he surveys, while his pronouncements about its significance are incisive and insightful. [S]cholars interested in music, urban sociology, African-American studies, and cultural history will find "What the "Music Said to be wide-ranging in scope and penetrating in analysis. Indeed, since. Neal. undertake[s] to explore the ability of popular music to define community values, critique injustice, and inspire individuals to struggle for a more just society, perhaps [his book] should be considered appropriate reading for us all.."
-"History of Education Quarterly
""What the Music Said is a passionately written book. It provides expert analysis for those interested in the history of black arts, music and culture..."What the MusicSaid hammers home the point that black music is the spiritual and political connection to our communal souls."
-Trent Fitzgerald, "QBR, Nov/Dec 99