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