KEVIN D. ENGLAND (kengland@welch.jhu.edu)
Thu, 11 Nov 1999 10:06:33 -0500 (EST)
Well, here is my .02 cents.
Since the seventies the network that moves music around the world has been
pretty extensive. Since that time the pace at which regional music(s)
influence each other has been incredible. You've all got dozen's of examples
in your collections. If any of you have the United Future Org record "No
Sound is Too Taboo" take a listen to song #5. Then get a hold of Gilberto
Gil's recording of "So Quero Um Xodo". Recognize the melody?
Once upon a time it would have taken a generation or more for a song/style to
circle the globe. Now all it takes is a compilation from Luaka Bop. So if
you don't recognize regional styles from Africa or elsewhere popping up in
the music being created where you live... don't make the mistake of thinking
it's not there.
Also, the appeal of a musician like Fela among the general public is not the
way to measure that artists influence on Western music. Take a look at how
frequently that artist's music appears in the collections of other musicians.
Thats when the movement of musical styles, rhythms, etc becomes more apparent.
Listen to Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and then listen to Nusrat Ali Fateh Khan...
Vedder doesn't just say he's a fan.... you can hear Nusrat's style being
modeled in Veddder's voice.
Read all of the liner notes in your collection. If you don't find Wally
Badarou's name at least once I'll be surprised. Elson probably has a huge
"Where'e Wally" database to track the African producer's impact on popular
music.... Sh*t even the Mariah Carey track that sampled the Tom Tom Club's
"Genious of Love" owes it's life to Wally Badarou. Listen to your Massive
Attack records. They didn't just sample a piece of Wally Badarou's music...
they just rhymed over his instrumental.
Okay, I'll stop now... sorry I typed so much.. Whole point being, if you
don't hear the influence of music from elsewhere in the world it could be
because you haven't yet had much exposure to that music.
kev
Paul McCartney?
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