ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the most nebulous areas, such as time, space and place. A chronotope is a connection between time and space or "the intrinsic connectedness of temporal and spatial relationships that are artistically expressed". In addition to the importance stressed upon place and space, perhaps even more fundamental to the construction of the Tamla Motown Sound has been the significance placed upon a small group of session musicians. A very different creative model that centred on the figure of Norman Whitfield, a man who achieved most of his success while remaining a Motown employee, sheds yet further light upon the authorship issue. As with the concept of authorship linked to notions of worth and aesthetic value, specific academic texts on the construction of a canon in popular music are rare. In particular, issues of race, politics, sexuality, nationality, canonization, sound and critical reception can be brought to bear.
