Helpless

Today's youth is utterly helpless. Every day we are fed a slew of mass media which so readily informs us of terrible on goings in the world. One would think that it is good to be conscious of current events. But with so much power given to the media, they tend to trample us with information, most of which concerns bad news. It reaches a point where one becomes desensitized. The youth is not clueless. In fact, we know too much. We are aware that we are powerless and there is little to nothing we can do about. So instead, we just find ways to forget, like booze and drugs. Theres no mass youth movement going on, but there are a lot of kids getting fucked up behind societies back. What are we supposed to do, go on a rampaging protest? Yea sure! Except for the fact that youth today simply connects successful rebellion with the 60's, and to us that's old people stuff. Our rebellion is more of the failing type. The "I couldn't care less" type. I went to a protest lately. Sadly I got more satisfaction out of screaming and acting obnoxious then I did fighting for something that is right in my mind. Why? Because I've been led to believe that in this corrupt world I don't have the power to make such a difference simply by standing up for my beliefs. Big Brother will always have one up on me and the rest of the world's youth no matter what we do. We are helpless.

Examining Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner

In the year of 1969, the most legendary of all music festivals occurred, Woodstock. A three day long festival, the final act was guitar god Jimi Hendrix. During his set he performed "The Star Spangled Banner" which would become arguably Woodstock's most memorable moment. In the year of 1969, social up-heavles were occurring in America like never before. The concept of what true patriotism embodied was being challenged immensely by new counter cultures. Hendrix's rendition of the "The National Anthem" was a testament to this change.

Below I have examined Hendrix's interpretation of the lyrics and melody. Lyrics are shown in white font. Commentary is shown in red. I suggest listening to the performance if available.

(The song begins valiantly with the fans holding their hands in the air. Hendrix smiles and flashes a peace sign.)
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, 

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, 

(Hendrix begins straying away from the original melody with improvisation at "perilous flight.")
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, (At ramparts he holds the note in an ugly sustain.) were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, (After "rockets' red glare" Hendrix goes into a furry of distortion, perhaps symbolizing both the terrifying and destructive characteristics of war.") the bombs bursting in air, (Hendrix does the same after bombs bursting in air.")

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave (The music comes to a halt after the question "O say does that star spangled banner yet wave", as if to provide a space of silence for an answer. Hendrix then comes back in with a roaring finale in which he emphasizes the word free and brave in the closing line of the song.)

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Marijuana and Music

I've just finished watching the most convincing documentary about marijuana and why it should be legalized. It's title was The Union: The Business Behind Getting High. I've seen several documentaries surrounding the concept of marijuana's pros and cons, but never one quite as well rounded as this one. In the film, director Brett Harvey explains how the business of selling marijuana has become one big twisted mess. For instance, it makes an overwhelmingly amount of sense to legalize weed for medicinal uses, so why not? Well, because you can't patent a plant like you can a pill. So, in turn the large pharmaceutical corporations would not make their money. It's reasons like these that the government has been so stubborn on the topic of legalizing marijuana when there are so many facts to back up it's positive effects. Check out the film for yourself...

So what about marijuana and music? The two have gone hand in hand for quite awhile. And it makes sense due to both marijuana's rebellious as well as creative reputation. The act of getting high and playing music in American culture predominantly arose out of the Jazz era. New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz, was highly responsible for fostering this cultural occurrence. Jazz musicians in New Orleans were often face with very long and tiring gigging schedules. Smoking weed was a helpful way to get over their exhaustion. On top of this, the high made their music more creative and imaginative. Listen to the jazz standard Groovin' High, composed by the great Dizzie Gillespie performed with Charlie Parker. The song's meaning can easily be explained by it's name, so I won't bother doing so.

Protest in Pop Music - Roots in Folk

When considering protest in pop music, the first thing that comes to my mind is Folk music. Let me make clear that when I say "Folk" I mean popular music of the Western world which is based in traditional styles. Artist examples include Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Joan Baez, all of whom were deeply involved in protest through pop music.

It makes a great amount of sense that a strong force of protest arose out of the Folk music style. Folk is the uncut raw voice of the people, often representing those of the lower class and those in struggle. With a great emphasis on lyricism, the style of Folk has always had a stylistic edge on making points through music.

Although often overlooked, Phil Ochs was perhaps the greatest of all Folk artists in the genre of protest. Listen as he sings "I Aint Marching Anymore".

A traveling man, Woody Guthrie saw much of the U.S. during his time. In doing so, he noticed many of the injustices which existed in American society. Putting his observations into songs, Guthrie crafted classic protest songs such as "Jesus Christ". 

In 1963 John Baez and Bob Dylan marched on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr. in the support of Civil Rights, performing "We Shall Overcome" in front of the crowd.

Listen as Baez and Dylan play "Blowin' in the Wind", a popular protest song.

Folk music of the 50's and 60's continues to influence political artists today. For example, Rage Against the Machine, one of modern music's most political groups, covered the Dylan song "Maggie's Farm".

Daft Punk's Set Up

A good description of the Pyramid's gear can be found here.

Rumors have been flying around that Daft Punk disbanded after a tweet from their supposed Twitter. But apparently it's a big hoax as the Twitter account does not belong to them. Just a heads up for those who were concerned.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

One of the better documentaries I've seen, The Devil and Daniel Johnston presents a powerful insight to the life and work of the very unique artist that Daniel Johnston is.

Composition - Arvo Part and Cornelius Cardew

On the topic of great composers, check out Arvo Part as well as Cornelius Cardew's "Treatise".

Composed in 1989, Arvo Part's "Magnificat" is a landmark of his later phase as a composer focusing on minimalism. It uses tintinnabuli, a technique for composing created by Part himself.

Composer Cornelius Cardew was one of the first to experiment with graphic notation. Below are examples from his composition "Treatise" as well as a nicely crafted video with opinions on it's meaning and significance. 

Unappreciated Rappers

I'm gonna take this time to welcome myself to Blogger... Never really been into blogs, so perhaps it's time I get down with one. It's my first week back in New Orleans after a well celebrated break in my hometown Evanston, Il. I got a lot ahead of me in this coming semester at Loyola New Orleans. Been hooking up with some different artists and prospects look good.

I've been on a Hip-hop binge lately. In an attempt to discover more Hip-hop rarities I came across this list. It's a countdown of whats considered by Henry Adaso, About.com author, "The 10 Most Unappreciated Rappers." Some I agree with, some I don't. Heres a few that stood out to me.

Coming in it at #6 is Black Thought of the Roots.

I couldn't agree more with Black Thought making the list. But, only at #6? In my opinion he belongs at least in the top 3 for the lack of appreciation which he gets. Listen as he tears it up on the Roots track "Web" off their album Tipping Point.

Coming in at #5 is MC Wise Intelligent, solo artists and member of the Poor Righteous Teachers.

Before reading the list I had never heard of Wise Intelligent. I've been missing out! The guys got great delivery and outstanding lyrical content. Check him out on his track "Passing Tha Time" in which he explains "What took so long for me to come out with a record, Me clearing my mind and my heart out, Don't put any old rhymes out, Hip-hop is still art to some folks."

Coming in at #3 is New York City MC Sean Price. 

Listening through his music I was not all that impressed. Sure he may be under-appreciated, but I wouldn't of placed him so high on the list. I will give him credit for getting his catchy track "Hearing Aid featuring Chaundon" stuck in my head in which he demands "Listen to me!". Cheers to Chaundon for his mentioning of 190 proof Diesel. 

So who's #1? Drum roll please... Coming in at #1 Most Unappreciated Rapper is AZ.

A close friend and collaborator of Nas, as well as a member of the former hip-hop group the Firm, AZ's name has been floating around for quite awhile. But, certainly without an appropriate amount of deserved respect. Perhaps because he's seen as being in Nas shadow, or maybe because the Firm never fully rose to the super group level which was expected of them. Either way, the guys got talent and I have no problem agreeing that he belongs at the top of top on this list. Check out these three tracks, each off his debut studio album Do or Die: Uncut Raw, Ho Happy Jackie, and Rather Unique. 

It's no surprise that in the industry of Hip-hop so many artists are under-appreciated. It truly is a dog eat dog scene, and those without the right kind of attention often don't get the success they deserve. But, that's what makes it all more exciting when you find those special gems in the rough.