Punk Music

Dear Reader,

Today's blog discussion is about punk music. I first have watched a BBC documentary about the seven ages of rock. Here I will discuss any influences, relations from the material we discussed earlier related to punk.

First of all, a very important element that was important and manifested in the development of punk was the dressing style. This was a typical new element that came up in the times punk music started. To other people this maybe seemed extra-ordinary and weird, but that is actually what punk music is all about. I think that is one of the elements that represents the punk music, even nowadays.

I think therefore, David Bowie, could have been some kind of influence too, since he also did what he wanted and what he liked. He didn't thought of the rules and limitations there were after the actions he took; he just did what he wanted to do. That is something really similar with the style of punk music. That is why David Bowie could have been some kind of influence for the punk music.

I think that punk music is one of the genres where young people could share their frustrations and concerns with each other. It is totally connecting these people in their type of music. This is why punk also represents a social element in this section.

Thanks for reading!

James Brown on the T.A.M.I Show

Dear Reader,

Today I am going to write about the performance of James Brown's music and performance relating to shows from Ray Charles, Motown etc.

One thing that is very remarkable is the fact that the 'action - reaction' motif is noticed in these performances. For example the saxophone and trumpet etc. are responding to James Brown's voice. That is very popular in soul music. Ray Charles had somewhat the same in his blues and jazz type of music! There the 'action - reaction' part was also noticed.

Motown was in the other way a bit different from James Brown. Motown was a record company where lots of artists like Ray Charles are noticed. James Brown made music on his own (including his band), but in this way he was independent.

Other elements that I find remarkable is that James Brown communicates with the band, for example in the song 'I Feel Good'. The intro is an example of why I think like this. 'Hit me 5 times', and the band strikes 5 similar notes in a certain, quick, rhythm.

One other thing that I find remarkable is his way of dancing. The rhythm in James Brown's music is so quick, when compared to others. The way he relates his dance moves to it is spectacular. That is very noticeable in the three clips.

Thanks for reading!

The Velvet Underground, Pink Floyd, David Bowie

Dear Reader,

In this section I am going to write about the Velvet Underground, Pink Floyd and David Bowie.

First of all I am going to look at Pink Floyd, at the time Syd Barrett was their original lead singer. I am first going to determine what Pink Floyd had in common at this time with The Beatles and what they had in common with the Velvet Underground.

I think that Pink Floyd could really be compared with the Beatles, since they were two bands of experiments. They developed a 'new' type of music, with trying everything they could possibly do. I think that is the most important similarity that is also explained in the following movie:

A thing that Pink Floyd had in common with Velvet Underground is their interaction with the fans/audience. Both the bands had a really good interaction and so could really work together with. They knew how to treat and enjoy their fans.

The second thing I am going to discuss is about the question on which elements David Bowie took from The Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol in the early part of his career.

Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol had a great impact on David Bowie. Both Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol tried to do something 'different'. David Bowie wanted to do this experimenting too, which is why they were really a good example for his career in the beginning. This is why they had a great impact on David Bowie!

Thanks for reading!

An Opposite View

Dear Reader,

Today I am going to write about the opposite view of the blog assignment I did last time. I had an pretty positive reaction about the way the performances of Jimi Hendrix and the Who were like in the clips. But actually this wasn't really true.

In fact, the way the artists treated their gear, was terrible. It made no sense that they actually were destroying it. Although some may see it as art, it is still a waste of money and material where no one benefits from. The fact that the clip in total will only be famous because of the destruction of instruments is another poor thing. That clip will not really focus on the quality of the song therefore, but will be just promoted because of the visuals and crazy things the audience will see.

There is no need to do that, and especially for great musicians like them, it is a waste of money and material. The only reason they could have for doing it, is about the fact that they wanted to do something new. There are only a few artists/musicians, these two included, who have done this destruction of gear in their clips, where only artistic people will go deeper into it.

For normal people it just stays an abnormal activity and is only attractive to watch when it comes to the astonishment of the audience!

Thanks for reading!

Explosions!

Dear Reader,

I am going to tell you something about what happens in the following infamous clips. These clips include "My Generation" by The Who and "Wild Thing" by Jimi Hendrix! I am going to find out if I think these clips are related to "destruction", if it is art, if i feel liberated by it etc.

A] The Who, My Generation

The motion of this song is really good. In the beginning, the atmosphere begins like a normal rock song. I think this makes the audience already give some hints about what the band is like, and how they will continue. But as we move on, and go deeper into the song, it becomes more aggressive and harder. This may result into the change of opinions the audience had in the beginning. This is very good, because it stays interesting all the time. Especially at the end there is an 'explosion'. This is because of the fact that the band members start to throw with the gear and go really 'wild'. This gives me a liberated feeling, since you can go wild and do whatever you want to do. It is really expressed in this clip, and you can see how the band members react on this. All of these elements make me think that this can be related to a type of art. Expression is a really important factor in art, and I think that the liberated feelings are really expressed in this clip. The audience get new things to see as we move on further in the song and so they interact really close with each other!

B] Jimi Hendrix, Wild Thing

Jimi's performance in this clip is also a completely freakout. The clip just starts the same as with My Generation. It starts with Jimi's own style, which is how the audience already got their own thoughts about this performer. As the song continues, the song gets 'wilder'. This could be expected, since Jimi's style is exactly like this. But the fact that in the end he puts a fire on his guitar is really shocking and expressive. This does show elements of the fact the feeling of liberation is included, since you can go your own way and follow your own path. This is also why I think this song is also a type of art. The whole clip is interesting to watch since the motion is really used as a 'build-up'. The audience stays interacted all of the time, and can really form their own opinions and view on this performance!

Thanks for reading!

80DB Evaluation

Dear Reader,

I have not written anything for a very long time. I am sorry for that. But I have some nice things to tell that happened during this gap. One thing is that I bought a brand new guitar! It's a Fender Deluxe Stratocaster, which has THE advanced options for me where I can develop my guitar skills.

Another major thing happening was 80DB. This is a yearly festival for musicians at our school. This 'concert' lasts for 3 days, in the second week of March. There are three performances, which take place in the second week of March.

I really liked it again, because it was my third experience. I was more relaxed than previous times, because of the fact I had more experience than before! In total I had about 10 songs to play from the 30 on the program. This year, I played not only the electric guitar but also a lot of bass guitar! This helped me to develop my skills on this instrument as well!

I did have some criticisms about the sound, however. I heard from people in the audience that most of the time several instruments were too loud or too soft. At the same time, something that sounded too soft in the audience would often sound too loud onstage, and vice versa. This made it uncertain which sound levels to use in order to satisfy everyone's demands!

One thing was really successful this time was the power everyone gave in order to make every night one never to forget! Everyone was full of energy, which is one of the most important factors when performing. That is why I thought that this edition achieved the minimum of what was necessary! This was very important because this made the audience to be satisfied with the concert.

Wim Peters, our sound engineer for 5 years of 80DB is leaving, so we need to search for another sound engineer. I think he did really well, besides of the 'poor' gear we are using for the shows. I want to thank him for his participation.

For the next time, I would like new and better gear for 80DB. This means more money is needed, but it will improve the quality, and help to make the reputation even better!

To have an impression of this year’s edition of 80 dB, please click on the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3HXjpHOYG8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOaUncLOfZA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1YyTxMduQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl0THBfMsJ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGjUb6b-ctY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjkXCE3YVhE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc56u4rGX-I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRn6xUc6G70

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmRfvp6Prn4

Thanks for reading!

Hit The Road Jack!

Dear Reader,

Today, I found a video of myself as a five year old toddler, playbacking the song 'Hit the road jack!'.

Was I already a music hero since that age, haha?



Thanks for Watching

Zwolle Excursion

Dear Reader,

On the 3rd of December, 2009, a couple of students and I went on excursion to Zwolle. Mr. Weisser planned us to visit his opera there which he composed the music for. I had never been to an opera before. After whatching it I really liked it! I first thought this wouldn't really surprise me but I really saw original elements in it. I think we can compare it to a Musical like theatre but than the script is being sung! The structure of the opera was also very interesting. It started at the end of the opera. After that, they went back in time all the way up to where the opera started on. That was very interesting to me! I really liked it today, since we also had dinner together with all the people that went with us!

Thanks Mr. Weisser and Mrs. Weisser for organising this trip!

Elvis Presley Documentary

Dear Reader,

A few lessons ago, we have watched a documentary about Elvis Presley. Elvis was born in the time there was a lot of racism in the state he lived, Mississippi. Black people where discriminated by white people and every time being pressed on. Elvis didn't really pay attention to this. He was unique, since he was one fo the few that just accepted the black people in that time. He started to write and create his own music and just continued on keeping his own visions and thinking about the world from his point of view. His big talent for music made him break through. He became rapidly famous at a very young age. People started to think as he did, he really became an example for them. That is also how many people started to respect black people in which the amount of racism divided and reduced over the state.

The development and rock and roll was especially by Elvis Presley. Elements of the early blues were put in this new type of music genre. The tempo only did really increase. I think that
Rock and Roll had more 'power' in its music therefore!

Thanks for reading!