...Music raises the soul of man even higher than the so-called external form of religion…That is why in ancient times the greatest prophets were great musicians. – Hazrat Inayat Khan, “The Mysticism of Sound and Music” Without doubt, Bob Marley can now be recognized as the most important figure in 20th century music. It’s not just my opinion, but also, judging by all the mainsteam accolades hurled Bob’s way lately, the feeling of a great many others too. Prediction is the murky province of fools. But in the two decades since Bob Marley has gone, it is clear that he is without question one of the most transcendant figures of the past hundred years. The ripples of his unparalleled achievements radiate outward through the river of his music into an ocean of politics, ethics, fashion, philosophy and religion. His story is a timeless myth made manifest in this iwah, right before our disbelieving eyes. There will come a day when music and its philosophy will become the religion of humanity…If there remains any magic it is music. Unlike mere pop stars, Bob was a moral and religious figure as well as a major record seller internationally. To whom does one compare him? In a recent Sunday New York Times Arts and Leisure lead story, Stanley Crouch makes a compelling case for Louis Armstrong as the century’s “unequaled performer,” excelling not just in his instrumental inventiveness but in his vocal style as well, transforming the way music was made and listened to, and influencing...
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...political issues in America. The emergence and growth of rock n roll could be attributed to the events that took place in the 1950’s and 60’s in America (Azzam, 2007). Study of the role of rock n roll by historians evidently shows that its role was to unite the blacks and the whites by creating a common culture as well addressing the political issues during this period of warfare. This paper addresses Bob Dylan’s song of 1962 bringing out its role on addressing political and social injustices of the 1960’s. In a New York café was first heard was Bob Dylan’s song, “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ in 1962. At this time, there was a lot of anxiety in America following the events of the Cold War. A Cuba- Soviet Union alliance was getting cozy making the Pentagon and state department analysts nervous. At this summer period, there were reports that Russia had increased their military aide in Cuba. During the same time, Rob Dylan released a dozen of songs all which were politically influenced aiming at addressing the issues transpiring during this era. Historians and journalists have always treated Dylan as a quintessential protest singer. Historians and journalists have always treated Dylan’s songs as an emblematic of the postwar era. His songs were mostly politically oriented, and the urgency of the civil rights and antiwar movements the imagery reflected the changing mood of the post-war baby boom generation. Dylan’s 1962 hit song “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’ which was influenced by...
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...Influence of Music Paper The different types of music genres have helped shape American culture and society and its social behavior of Americans. As time moves on and cultures change, so does the music and what it stands for. Music may sound and be different around the world, but its most common purpose it’s to bring individuals together. It seems that music, more than anything else, ties people together and tears them apart. Each culture around the world has caused music in general to evolve uniquely to each society. As society changes and grows, so will our music and what we believe in. Music has given American culture its values, the way that jazz, blues, and R&B created rock & roll, music created American culture that naturally has an influence on other cultures. It is an argument of whether music affects society or if society is reflected through music towards social behavior. It can also be said that any one type of music can influence society. For instance, a society can become more modernized such as individuals expanding their methods of playing musical instruments. Or as technology becomes more advanced with the digital era, individuals can listen to music on MP3 players, Ipads, cell phones or radio’s anywhere and anytime becoming more convenient. In today’s society, people have the right to choose what they want to listen to. This includes wide variety of styles or to even focus on one genre, depending on the musical qualities that appeal to them. Media, such as radio...
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...Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again? Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in? Do you ever feel already buried deep? 6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July 'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh" You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe You don't have to feel like a waste of space You're original, cannot be replaced If you only knew what the future holds After a hurricane comes a rainbow Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow And when it's time, you'll know You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July 'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh" As you shoot across the sky-y-y Baby, you're a firework Come on, let your colors burst Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh" You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe Boom, boom, boom Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon It's always been inside of you,...
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...Abstract Throughout all of history people have been using and experimenting with drugs especially artists and musicians. Numerious musician have reluctantly admitted to or actually proclaimed their use of drugs. The general conscious of these “artists” is that their drug use has unlocked a higher level of creativity. As trendsetters and role models this use of drugs was emulated by audiences across the United States and Great Britain. To such a point as references to mind altering drugs were appearing in Beats poems and essays and even protest songs of the middle 1950s. As music progressed through the year’s drug use (by artists and fans) and references became more mainstream. This paper will look at two specific band, The Beatles and the Grateful Dead. Rock and Roll on Drugs Drug use and music have been intertwined for many years. This use whether illegal or legal has had both positive and negative impacts on the artists and their success. While the creative juices may be flowing while under the influence of drugs the final outcome (maybe years down the road) almost always ends on a negative note. Even dating back to 1830 when Hector Berlioz wrote his most famous work “Symphonie Fantastique” he detailed the effects of an opium induced dream, specifically in the fourth movement. In an interview on June 16, 1967, Paul McCartney was asked if he ever took drugs, he said “After I took it (LSD), it opened my eyes. We only use one-tenth of our brain. Just think what we could accomplish...
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...When popular music adopts a political position is this supportive to a cause or to a particular artist’s personal wealth and public image? Popular music has served as a voice of the people and for the people for many years. Songs have moulded and reflected political ideologies, opinions and decisions for decades. Music made by one voice can be echoed by many and when adopting a political stand against or for something this can also be echoed in the masses. Artists over the years have put their necks and careers on the line to be bold and valiant with their opinions on how the world should turn and be governed. But do these views and outlooks actually change anything? Do they create awareness? Are the artists sincere and genuine about their concern? Or are they just to boost their public status and reputation; a money making scheme to sell records and to reach the top of the charts? These are all the questions one can ask themselves about the sincerity of the musician. During the 20th and the 21st century there have been a lot of social and economic changes. People began to view the world in a different light; they began to see the workings of their planet and began to understand that it was their land as much as the next persons. Due to these ever changing visions and ideals, people began to protest and challenge changes, rules, laws and orders made by heads of state and government. The public lashed out in demonstrations and opposition parties. During these whirlwind spectacles...
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...GLOBAL HIPHOP In Hishaam Aidi's "Leveraging Hip Hop in US Foreign Policy" Aidi makes it evident that hip-hop has grown to become such a global upfront form of expression. To the extent where hip-hop has become America’s main resource to connect with the youth and give the struggling youth of America and all over the world the aspiration to dream. Hip-hop along with any other genres of music such as jazz all serve a purpose in this world, which is for the artist to share their story and for the listeners to relate. However hip-hop has become mostly known to be more of a self-expression for those who grew up in low-incoming areas and have lived the life of poverty. This is the main reason why the revolution of hip-hop holds so much power and the reason why so many young people support hip-hop globally. As a hip-hop head myself, we fall in love with this idea of self-expression, even if it means having to be rebellious and disrespectful at times if that is what it takes to get our point across. However, as Aidi said in "Leveraging Hip Hop in US Foreign Policy,” “But the role of music should not be exaggerated: Hip hop did not cause the Arab revolts any more than Twitter or Facebook did.” In this statement, Aidi displays how hip-hop can only hold such an unbelievable power of self-expression, however, does not hold responsibility nor enough power to cause any global revolts as seen in Saudi Arabia. Yet due to these revolts, its gives hip-hop artists from these countries...
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...http://altohio.com/mirror-traffic Mirror Traffic, the fifth release from Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks is the glorious distillation of the S.M. oeuvre. Produced by Beck Hanson, the album maintains the lanky looseness of former Jicks-backed offerings even as its songs are condensed down to their respective essences—several tracks clock in at less than three minutes, a stark contrast to previous records where 10-minute guitar odysseys were becoming common. Much like Bob Dylan’s twenty-first century output, Mirror Traffic digs through the past to repurpose musical styles, from psychedelic LA country to first-wave British punk, twisting them into new but familiar shapes. Beck’s role as producer seems split between tightening up the performances and curating the palette of stylistic overlays drawn from the Rock History vault. On “Long Hard Book,” reverb-soaked slide guitar evoke desert midnight, while the chorus’s pedal steel pairs with Joanna Bolme’s spot-on Emmy Lou Harris impression to create an afterimage of some long-lost Grievous Angel outtake, until a fuzzed-out guitar outro pulls the listener back into unmistakably Malkmusian territory. “Tune Grief” is the song the Buzzcocks might’ve recorded if they’d grown up in southern California, a short punchy track complete with single-note guitar solo and beach-bright backing vocals. All of Mirror Traffic’s influences have surfaced in Malkmus’ previous work, from Watery, Domestic onward, but here, arguably benefitting from its...
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...Anglo American Folk Music is considered as the traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of people in a community and passed on through generation. Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and of the people. Folk music arose, and best survives, in societies not yet affected by mass communication and the commercialization of culture. It normally was shared and performed by the entire community (not by a special class of expert performers), and was transmitted by word of mouth. My observation included listening to folk songs and stories of Woody Guthrie. Woody Guthrie was one of those workers who headed to California in search of gainful employment. Woody wrote hundreds of songs between the 1930s and his death in 1967 of Huntington’s Chorea. The traditional American folk singer/songwriter, Woody Guthrie tells stories that often don’t even appear in history books. Woody Guthrie set the precedent for the breadth of issues and subjects about which an American folk singer could sing. His original tunes often put to work traditional melodies, as well as melodies to songs that were popular at the time. His lyrics encapsulated all the important issues of his time and of America in general, in plain and simple language that put words to what so many people were thinking and feeling. Quote from Woody Guthrie: "I am out to sing songs that will prove to you that this is your world and that if it has hit you pretty hard and knocked you for...
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...Bruce Springsteen “Born in the U.S.A” album cover Bruce Springsteen album "Born in the USA" is written in a heartland rock style and it is not only an entertaining music but has social purpose. Songs are touching and defending a rural and blue- collar values. In the 70's and 80's, Bruce Springsteen’s music spoke to the masses, but it was particularly targeted to the working class; If the American Dream could be reached by working hard and watching all of your dreams comes true, Springsteen showed that, people who spend their lives in the pursuit of happiness, but never quite get there. The cover of the album “born in the U.S.A” - a close-up of a rear Springsteen in front of an American flag, became one of the most recognizable images in American popular culture and it represents the everyday American. Exploring the image and its meanings, we can see the connection of the two main images: flag and body, which relates to the concept of masculinity, patriotism. The cover of the album captures what this album is about. If the title didn't already reveal it, this is an album about an American man. The color scheme is red, white and blue. The background features the stripes of the American flag. In the foreground is Bruce in the all-American uniform: blue jeans, a white tee shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a worn-down red baseball cap hanging out of his back pocket. The image on the cover of the album represents a working American man from any place. The flag on the background...
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...Popular Music and History: John Lennon Everyone knows of The Beatles. You may not know a lot or any about them but everyone has heard a song or two at one time or another in their lives. This essay will discuss one of the members from the band, John Lennon and his fame with the band. In addition, this essay will also discuss the comment he made that almost cost the band their fame, as well as his murder. The Beatles were a band from Liverpool, England and became a band somewhere in the 1950’s, but did not become big until 1961. They released a total of 18 albums between the years of 1963 and 1970. The band included Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and John Lennon. The band became big in the United States when they released the song, “I want to hold your hand” that John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote together. Another song you may know that The Beatles sang was, “I feel fine”. The song became the number one song at Christmas. When the band released this song, the song was a top hit for five weeks. The Beatles also had their own cartoon on television called,” yellow submarine” the band was becoming very popular. (APA(American Psychological Assoc.)References:Beatles, The. (2011). Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition, 1. "Beatles, The." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2011): 1. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Mar. 2012.) (APA(American Psychological Assoc.).References.(2009, September 27). TOP 10 BESTSELLING BEATLES SONGS. Mail on Sunday...
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...Robin Hood Case Study Background In revolt against the High Sherriff of Nottingham, Robin Hood sought allies with men willing to stand up against the Sherriff and his administration. He built a large fighting force of disciplined men in Sherwood Forrest: the Band of Merrymen. Robin Hood himself was the leader of the band and delegated different functions among his four lieutenants: Will Scarlett (intelligence and scouting, collecting information on Sherriff’s moves and on the travel plans of rich merchants and tax collectors), Little John (discipline and archery skills), Scarlock (finance, converting loot to cash, paying shares of the take and finding hiding places for surplus), and Much the Miller’s son (provisioning the band). Through time, the band grew larger and larger as Robin Hood welcomed everyone who wanted to join. The band eventually became too big and that started to cause issues. Vigilance and discipline were becoming smaller and food scarcity grew, as provision for more and more people was needed. Robin Hood’s band became known for robbery and travellers started to avoid the forest, thus leaving the band with less revenues. In the mean time, the Sherriff was growing stronger and became better organized and financially wealthier. He started to mock the Band and so he had to be dealt with, before the Band itself was dealt with. Killing the Sherriff seemed not to be the solution, but his failure in collecting taxes did not remove him from office...
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...He was bestowed with the challenge of being “The Chosen One.” Dylan was constantly asked about the meaning of his work in this role. The constant prodding he endured by fans and the press caused him to snap. He had had it with the role of leader of the folk scene. At the 1965 Newport Folk Festival Dylan did the unthinkable for a folk signer: he played his set with electric instruments. Dylan was considered a trader to folk. The past two years he had played the festival and was considered to be one of folk music’s heroes and now he was seen as the enemy by many loyal followers. Pete Seeger said he wished he could cut the wires of Dylan’s amps with an axe. Though Dylan turned his back on the folk scene he would continue to write politically charged music and left behind an important chapter in the legacy that is folk...
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...“When you touch and change people's lives with a song, that's when you've made it as an artist” says Tim McGraw, a successful country artist. He grew up in the country and was always very passionate about what he believed in. He never thought that he would make it where he is now. Create Tim McGraw has made songs that create a kind of music others want to listen to. He created a name for himself in country music by producing songs like “Humble and Kind” and “Highway Don’t Care.” Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying” won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance. Tim McGraw won these awards because he works hard to produce these songs. Innovate Tim McGraw faces many obstacles. These obstacles include his drinking, his career, and...
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...The 1970s were a decade of great change in Australia, from punk to rebellion, abundant technological advancements and an unfortunate downfall of sporting accomplishment, all driven and influenced primarily by international sources. Influences from nations such as England and the United States of America majorly shaped and modified the great social and cultural changes in Australia, with particular impacts on music, entertainment, technology and sport. Music: Musicians from the United Kingdom had great success in Australia as they also majorly contributed to the music being played on Australian radios, ranging from rock and roll groups such as The Rolling Stones, to pop sensations like ABBA However, in 1977, Advance Australia Fair replaced...
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