Wednesday, 26 March 2014

IT'S A SONG THING

Music has changed over the ages; it is not the same as it once was. Some "contemporary" musicians use older music as a base for new sound mix. For example, Crossroads by Robert Johnson; his style is a little sloppy, its more natural, the sounds feel pure, authentic. In a way Johnson’s style projects melancholy & sadness. While Crossroads by Eric Clapton is a little bit more sensual, not as melancholic as Johnson’s. The sound thought it’s simple, it’s not as raw. The beat is mellow & easier to the listener. Another example would be Spoonful by Howlin’ Wolf, vs. Spoonful by Cream. Now, Howlin’ Wolf has a fancy beat. It music that provokes you too bounce around while you listen to it. The mix is quite simple. What actually make the song are the voice & the delicacy of the guitar, bass & drums. The same compass makes it enjoyable. Cream’s version spite of keeping the same compass spices the things up a little. It creates the same feeling of bounciness, but the sounds are not as subtle as Howlin’ Wolf’s version.
Now we have You Shook Me by Muddy Waters vs. You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC. Muddy’s version is sexy, slow, his voice marks the pace taking you into that mellow relaxing state. His voice sounds like silk it’s smooth & enjoyable, soft & tender. Then we have the counterpart, AC/DC’s rock version takes you to a “hyperish” state. The mix amongst drums & guitar is magnificent. Vocals are not as silky as Water’s, but instead they are sort of pitchy which gives an interesting turn to the song.
Let’s talk about Manish Boy by Muddy Waters. The beat is the classic blues beat. The guitar has this sticky “sexy bad ass” beat, creating an empowerment atmosphere, it’s the type of song that plays when the hero/sexy guy walks into the bar and orders a beer. The mix is simple, vocals & guitar.
Cocaine by Eric Clapton has a bouncier beat. Thought its simple, the verse & chorus repeat over & over, the style is soft, it’s certainly something I would listen to while making chores. It sort of lifts your spirit.

Finally two songs from Stevie Ray Vaughanand, Pride & Joy & Cold Shot. They are a mixture between blues & rock. The sound is interesting. It’s a good mixture, but it’s not my favorite style. Thought it lifts my spirit I am still not sure of how I feel. The mix between rock & blues is good. But I thing I have an old lady soul & rather have rock or blues, not both. 

THE STORY OF JAZZ

1. What does Wynston Marsalis say is the ‘real power’ of jazz?
The magnificence of the fact that a group of people can get together & create not just art, but improvised art. The music became a dialogue, a way of conversation between each other using the language of music.
2. Between minutes 5 to 8, what impression do you get about who the pioneers of Jazz were?
They were pioneers, explorers, up to try new styles. There were men & women from every inch of the country & with different lives who were able to get together to create art. They were ordinary yet talented people. There was no stereotype established. They were just people experimenting new ways.
3. How do they describe New Orleans and how does it seem like a perfect example of the early American experience?
People from all over the world went to New Orleans that generated the perfect atmosphere. It was the most cosmopolitan & musical city in America. It was also a mayor center of slavery in the USA. 
4. How is ‘improvisation’ a part of American life in general, according to the documentary?
It was a way of survival. The people who arrived to the US needed to improvise, they didn’t know the language; they needed to survive & in order to do so they had to improvise. Specially the slaves who arrived & stayed in the US
5. How would you describe the ‘call and respons’ of the baptist church?  Can you still see it in today’s music?
They were work songs, a form to communicate with God, & they are still present on today’s music. Not as clear as before, but present never the less.
6. Who were the Creole’s?
Sons & daughters from Europeans and African-Americans who had a lighter skin tone & that were proud of their “whiteness”.
7. What was minstrel music and performance?
Minstrel was a type of music with humour. It was a bizarre & complicated ritual where blacks & whites would interpret and misinterpret each other.
8. What do they mean by the white appropriation of black music?
It was an acceptance from white people towards black people. They began a stronger relationship.
9. How is Jazz music dependent upon the abolition of slavery?
It unleashed the creative energy. It came from the consciousness from those who are outside something but in the middle of it. They were Americans in the real sense, but they were denied of the right to be Americans.
10. What is blues music, according to the documentary?
It’s simple, an escape from life. A from that needs more than technique, it requires feeling. It prayed to what was human.
11. What is so significant about ‘The Blues’ and its legacy?
It was part of the spirit. It added new things to music, it empowered music. In a way it represented heaven as well as hell. It became the underground aqua fed that would feed all the other styles. 
12. Who was Buddy Bolden?
He was an African American cornetist who developed a sort of rag style.
13. What was Storyville?

It was the red-light district, usually known as The District. T

Saturday, 22 February 2014

THE POWER OF ART - ROTHKO


1. Why do you think the narrator makes such a point of the difference between what his generation was seeing as art and the solemnity and seriousness of Rothko’s work?
Things changed. Art was no longer what it was, Rothko was part of a new art generation. His paintings were not traditional.
2. He describes the paintings as ‘throbbing or pulsing’. Why? Or, can you also see what he means when you are confronted with Rothko’s work?
The colours & the way that paint was placed on the canvas, sort of pulled the viewer into some mysterious place. In some way I believe that the simplicity of the painting made the viewer reach his deepest thoughts, it kind of lured him into a place of his mind he was not even sure that existed. 
3. How does Rothko, according to the narrator, demonstrate ‘depth’ over just simple ‘dazzle’? Why would this be important and what does it show how American art was regarded internationally up until then?
Lighting being kept low, as if one was going to the cinema, which created expectation. Colours & lines created a pull. This was different, in some way it showed a deeper meaning, a wider significance of art. It was an unknown adventure into an unknown space.
4. Why do you think Rothko was so concerned and preoccupied with the Seagram’s commission? What was it about capitalism that made him consider and reconsider the assignment?
It was a large commission; he was not sure because of the American capitalism & his own success story.
5. How do you think Rothko’s Jewish heritage played a part in his development and success as an artist, if at all?
He was a nontraditional Jew in a traditional family; he believed that art could change the world. In a way, the mistreatment he got in Yale made him drop out & forced him, somehow, to focus on his art.
6. What was he really thinking of accomplishing with the Seagram paintings? How did he view the people who would be dining and thus viewing them on a regular basis?
It was the greatest challenge of his career. His murals were a kind of wordless teaching, an antidote to the triviality of life. Size was a big issue, they weren’t personal but public. He wanted to bring the tragedy of human life. He wanted to express basic human emotions. He wanted people to break down & cry when confronted with his paintings.
7. How did ‘traditional education’ actually seem to get in the way of Rothko following his instincts?
His imagination was limited. He was overthinking & he was not good. He could only paint broken images. He loaded his paintings with doom; the real action was not on the image its self, but on the colours.
8. How did the war, according to the narrator, drastically change the subject matter of painting for Rothko and his generation?
The paranoia & distraction that the war carried changed the way daily life was, & so the paintings fought back, & reconnect people with the truth about humanity. After the holocaust, Rothko said that the paintings needed to be miracles, because the world had never been in more need of a miracle than after war. He wanted to remember people about their humanity.
9. Why was Rothko so spellbound by Michael Angelo’s walls while on his vacation in Europe? What does he say he would like to similarly achieve?
Colours & shapes were the way to move us; he wanted to recreate the tranquility that Michael Angelo portrayed on his paintings.
10. How is it possible to show the ‘truth of being human’ through abstract art?
The paintings reflect the emotions of the one who is looking at it. Deep emotions & as different as we are, we are all humans.  
11. The narrator talks about the ‘presence’ of Rothko’s paintings, even if you have your back to them. Do you think that is plausible, or have you had a similar experience with art in the past? Is there a possible religious experience in art that secular minded people can also attain, or see?
The presence of the painting is such that even thought you turn your back to the painting, you can still feel it. The paintings were unmistakably deep. He had accomplished something grater. It was more than the colour mixture; it is about what the paintings are. They seemed to swallow, capture & submerge the viewer. His paintings were so intense; it was something that was never seen before. There is a possible religious experience since the painting capture you in a way that you travel to the deepest corners of your mind. Rothko wanted a deep personal connection to be made. Rothko wanted his pictures to be violent, sacrificial, to evoke the most extreme sentiments
12. In Rothko’s case, did Art triumph over Money?
He cared about the reaction of the people more than what he cared about the money. Technically he kept honest to himself and painted they way he wanted, not to be decoration of some “rich guy”, so in a way, art triumphed over money.
13. What’s the significance of the black paintings in Rothko Chapel in Texas?
He was angry & defensive because he had been painting in the same style for a longtime. Texas gave him the opportunity to change that. He had freedom to install exactly what he wanted.


THE SUN ALSO RISES - ERNEST HEMINGWAY CAPTERS 16 TO 19

Montoya arrived to see Jake with the concern that the American Ambassador was trying to get Pedro to have dinner with him. Montoya is worried because he thinks that Pedro has a good career ahead of him.
Later on, at the dining room, Pedro joins Brett & Jake. They drink & chat for a while. Brett is absolutely marvelled with Pedro.
Mike was tight & got into a fight with Cohn again. Cohn was determined to stay no matter what Mike did.
Jake takes Brett away & they talk about their old love. Jake confesses to still love Brett & Brett claims she is in love with Pedro. She was feeling bad for having Mike & Cohn fight & she felt worse for loving Pedro. Jake & Brett went looking for Pedro. They found him on a cafe. Brett & Pedro went home together.

I have to say that at this point I'm finding it quite hard to keep on reading. It's not that it's a bad book or story, but I do feel like things take forever to happen. They spend too much time drinking & talking. Definitely not the kind of books I'm used to reading. I have 2 chapters more to read & I just can't concentrate. I shall keep on going....

What a surpise, the Fiesta is over and the gang goes back home, but Brett. When Jake arrives home, he receives a telegram from Brett saying that she has some trouble & that she needs him. She is in Madrid, so Jake sets off to rescue the damsel in distress. The book ends with Brett & Jake imagining their life together.

It is not a terrible story, but there comes a point where you get bored of coffee breaks & small talk.

THE SUN ALSO RISES - ERNEST HEMINGWAY CAPTERS 13 TO 15

A letter from Mike puts an end to Jake's & Bill's fishing trip. Brett is feeling better & the gang is ready to continue the journey so Bill & Mike return to Pamplona to meet the rest.
The Pamplonada began!! People everywhere, drinking, dancing, laughing. Everywhere you looked something was happening. The gang went to the bulls. Cohn got a little sick while Brett loved the show.
Things are still not fine between Mike & Cohn. Mike is upset because Cohn keeps getting in between him and Brett.
Jake gets invited by Montoya to meet the torero Pedro. He is the best & he is also really young.
So far things are working. So close to the final book....

Sunday, 9 February 2014

THE SUN ALSO RISES - ERNEST HEMINGWAY CAPTERS 10 TO 12

Mike and Brett are going to Spain! So apparently the tip to the Pamplonada became crowded. I am starting to dislike Cohn, & I am really curious about what happened between him and Brett at San Sebastian.
Now the crew is at Spain. Jake & Bill caught up with Cohn & they were supposed to go fishing, but instead, Cohn went back to San Sebastian to meet Brett & Mike. Things are getting a little confusing. Bill & Jake continued their journey & went fishing. They both are getting a little annoyed by Cohns attitude, & they are enjoying this "alone" time.

So what are Cohn & Brett doing? Who is Brett in love with, Jake or Cohn or Mike!?

SONG OF MY SELF -LEAVES OF GRASS BY WALT WHITMAN

I have to say, what a beautiful poem. Whitman talks about life & death so easily, he manages to make it seem so simple. His words flow & carry a deep meaning. The way I felt it, he is a man realizing he is no longer young & that life is not eternal. He suddenly becomes aware that he is closer to death & this sort of scares him. The words he uses to begin the poem are perfect. Whitman states that he is no better nor inferior to anyone we are all the same in essence & in essence we will all die. It's simply beautiful.