H.E.M.: Highly Emotional Music
In 2017, Larry published his first book, H.E.M.: Highly Emotional Music, co-authored by Alvin Foster. This expansive book "begins a journey to inspire young artists all over the world to create musical expression that challenges all institutions that undermine social justice and human rights"[1]. The book is a multimedia masterpiece, with visual, pedagogical, and musical components. Each song is accompanied by the work of a local artist, and contextualized with interpretive notes by Larry himself. Additionally, each song has a listening component, as well as musical arrangements for voice, piano, and guitar [2]. H.E.M. is a rich immersive experience and valuable learning tool. Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. provides some commentary on the book's significance in his foreword, where he writes:
We had the opportunity to talk to Larry about his book during our interview. Here's what he had to say:Highly Emotional Music combines wonderful and original scores of African-descent music juxtaposed with lessons on the horrific enslavement of Africans and the lessons of the Civil Rights struggle. The songs not only include Larry's original compositions, but also include his arrangements done in the finest tradition of the rich musical legacy that the children of former slaves have given to the world - what we commonly refer to as Rhythm and Soul, Blues, Pop, Contemporary, Country, Gospel and Jazz. The original compositions and the energetic arrangements are infused with a spiritual and a sacred power that shows respect, love, reverence and devotion. The songs are all done in the finest tradition of the rich legacy of African-descent music [3].
You can obtain a copy of the book for yourself here.
[1]. "H.E.M.: Highly Emotional Music Kindle Edition," Amazon, Amazon.com, 2023, Amazon.com: H.E.M.: Highly Emotional Music eBook : Watson, Lawrence, Foster, Alvin: Kindle Store.
[2]. Alvin Foster, preface to H.E.M.: Highly Emotional Music (SaveOurselves Productions and Consulting, L.L.C., 2017), vi.
[3]. Charles J. Ogletree, Jr., foreword to H.E.M.: Highly Emotional Music, authors Lawrence "Larry" Watson and Alvin Foster (Save Ourselves Productions and Consulting, L.L.C., 2017), i.