Monday 11/28
James Brown: Some Conclusions
3 Different Decades and 3 Distinct Sounds
Think about the Characteristics of the Song - Content/Lyrics/Genre/Instrumentation/Style
50's - Gospel / Soul
Blues influence / Jazz Influence
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Please Please Please - 1956
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Try Me - 1958
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60's - Early Funk
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Cold Sweat - 1967
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The Fred Wessley/Maceo Parker/ Pee Wee Ellis Horn section
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Analyze/ Examine:
Think about the Observations we made about Please Please Please and Try Me - In a Matter of 10 years most all of those things have evolved and changed into something different.
How Have they Changed?
Why have they Changed?
What Events were Important?
Which people were important?
Think about the Observations we made about Please Please Please and Try Me - In a Matter of 10 years most all of those things have evolved and changed into something different.
How Have they Changed?
Why have they Changed?
What Events were Important?
Which people were important?
70's - FUNK
2 Types of Artists
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Type 1 Masters one Discipline or Style (genre in our case) of their respective art.
They Master one type of music - And Often Make it to the Top of that discipline Type 1 Examples would be : Beatles , Ray Charles , Coldplay ETC. |
Type 2 Are the type of artists that transcend many different disciplines of their art , and master many difference aspects.....
and sometimes even discover new areas or further develop the the art Type 2 Examples : JB , Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, |
The JB Documentaries
Why are they Significant
We can see in depth how an artist's Life Experience can directly affect their music
Both videos showed a variety of different ways both on a large scale (such as national social unrest) and on a smaller scale like something that may have happened to him that day
We can see in depth how an artist's Life Experience can directly affect their music
Both videos showed a variety of different ways both on a large scale (such as national social unrest) and on a smaller scale like something that may have happened to him that day
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Large (Macro) Scale
Social / Cultural Civil Rights Mvt (64) Demonstrations (march on Miss.) Race Riots/Crimes Life / Family Upbringing Education Parents/Guardians Home |
Smaller (Micro) Scale
Personal Relationships -Business Relationships -Relationships with Band Members (Different Bands, Members themselves and the type of people they were etc.) Daily Experiences Things that Insprired/effected him on a daily basis |
We get plenty of examples of these things
But ...
How do they actually influence him in the studio while recoding / Writing / Performing his music?
How does it actually affect the creative process?
But ...
How do they actually influence him in the studio while recoding / Writing / Performing his music?
How does it actually affect the creative process?
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What he Wrote
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How he Wrote
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Style / Genre:
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Untrained Musician
Early in Career Limited access to
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These are (just a few) experiences from the artists (JB) life that
directly influenced his Music
directly influenced his Music
Given whatever type of music we are listening to:
- do we think the artist has lived through this in their own life?
(it is rare that we can actually know for sure - but do WE THINK or BELIEVE that what we are hearing is true)
This is all that really matter unless it is a rare case where we know exactly where the inspiration for that song came from - in JB case an interview in a documentary
Authentic: “Of Undisputed Origin: Genuine”
Genuine: “truly what something is said to be”
Sincere : “Preceding from Genuine feelings”
Inspired by genuine feelings and real experiences.
Quote from JB Docu: “His life personified the music, his music reflected his life experiences”
WHY DOES AUTHENTICITY MATTER (if it does - to you)
All art (music/paintings/sculptures ETC.) is more meaningful when
we the story behind it and when we know the story is true!
Examples:
Think about movies that are based on a true story
-Doesn't it make it much more interesting know that this amazing story is true?
-Contrast that with a film like Harry Potter..... Doesn't this the of story hold a different kind of meaning?
-This doesn't meant it is worse
Think of 2 Paintings
Painting A is of a King Henry VIII Painting B is of a Wizard Battling A Dragon
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Isn't it a different kind of meaning held by Painting A , knowing the story of Henry VIII and that he really existed
VS
Painting B Which we know is about Fictional Content?
Regardless of which you think is better , it is a different kind of response to are when we
KNOW IT HAPPENED
vs
INSPIRING our IMAGINATION
VS
Painting B Which we know is about Fictional Content?
Regardless of which you think is better , it is a different kind of response to are when we
KNOW IT HAPPENED
vs
INSPIRING our IMAGINATION
In Music:
Think of a modern song of any genre that is about some kind of Relationship or Problem (should be Easy)
Aren't we usually assuming that the subject matter is true - i.e. that relationship or problem actually happened at some point?
Should we be able to think of that those things in that song actually happening to that artist (as if it were a movie)?
If the story about that relationship or problem is completely fictional - fake people, fake places, etc - doesn't that have a different kind of meaning?
Does this in some way take away from the validity of the story?
(EVEN THOUGH we might be able to imagine it is really - or imagine ourselves in those situations - This is a different way of relating to the music!!)
This to me is the definition of authenticity in music:
Inspired by genuine feelings and real experiences.
Quote from JB Docu: “His life personified the music, his music reflected his life experiences”
Authenticity Questions:
How Honest/Truthful is the Artist
Did the Experiences/Events int he song actually happen?
Did the Artist Actually Feel the Emotions he is singing about?
AND.....
To What degree?
Is it totally Authentic?
Sort of?
IS it just "Based" on a true story, but embellished to make more entertaining?
AND FINALLY ....
DO WE CARE?
DOES THIS AFFECT OUR OVERALL JUDGEMENT OF THE SONG WHEN ASKED "IS IT GOOD"
.... We must assume that there are TONS of successful songs that aren't AUTHENTIC by the definition that applies to James Brown and the Blues
Think of a modern song of any genre that is about some kind of Relationship or Problem (should be Easy)
Aren't we usually assuming that the subject matter is true - i.e. that relationship or problem actually happened at some point?
Should we be able to think of that those things in that song actually happening to that artist (as if it were a movie)?
If the story about that relationship or problem is completely fictional - fake people, fake places, etc - doesn't that have a different kind of meaning?
Does this in some way take away from the validity of the story?
(EVEN THOUGH we might be able to imagine it is really - or imagine ourselves in those situations - This is a different way of relating to the music!!)
This to me is the definition of authenticity in music:
Inspired by genuine feelings and real experiences.
Quote from JB Docu: “His life personified the music, his music reflected his life experiences”
Authenticity Questions:
How Honest/Truthful is the Artist
Did the Experiences/Events int he song actually happen?
Did the Artist Actually Feel the Emotions he is singing about?
AND.....
To What degree?
Is it totally Authentic?
Sort of?
IS it just "Based" on a true story, but embellished to make more entertaining?
AND FINALLY ....
DO WE CARE?
DOES THIS AFFECT OUR OVERALL JUDGEMENT OF THE SONG WHEN ASKED "IS IT GOOD"
.... We must assume that there are TONS of successful songs that aren't AUTHENTIC by the definition that applies to James Brown and the Blues
Activity
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Death Letter Blues - Son House Lyrics
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Is This song Authentic, and WHY: 1. What is This Song / Story about (Brief)? And What emotions did you think the artist was trying to make us feel?
3. Do you think the Artist Actually Felt the Emotions they were singing about? Is This song Authentic, and WHY:
1. What is This Song / Story about (Brief)? And What emotions did you think the artist was trying to make us feel?
3. Do you think the Artist Actually Felt the Emotions they were singing about? |
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I Heard Love Was Blind - Amy Winehouse Lyrics
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Is This song Authentic, and WHY: 1. What is This Song / Story about (Brief)? And What emotions did you think the artist was trying to make us feel?
3. Do you think the Artist Actually Felt the Emotions they were singing about? |
Overall:
Do you think it is possible / fair to judge the authenticity of a piece without at least some knowledge of the artist's background? Explain.
Do you think it is possible / fair to judge the authenticity of a piece without at least some knowledge of the artist's background? Explain.