Patric Flynn MH2 Blog
Monday, September 17, 2012
Peer Comment 3
Jahan,
You’re blog on Marvin Gaye was written
fairly well. Even after having done my research on my own blog on him I never
came across that he was discharged from the Air Force for failure to adjust.
After looking into it a little further I also found out that he originally lost
his virginity to a prostitute while in the AF. Not sure if you came across
this, but check out http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/gaye_m.htm
for a pretty detailed bio.
All
the technical aspects are present in you blog. The only thing I would suggest
is to take another look at your APA style for references. http://www.americanessays.com/tool-box/apa-format-citation-generator/
Is a great website that helped me out.
Aside
from that, everything flowed well. The only other discrepancy I have is with
your explanation of Motown releasing “What’s Going On”. From my knowledge I
believe Marvin threatened to never sing for Motown again and they conceded. The
song became popular, surprising Motown and subsequently the record label fell
into a whole new market due to him.
-Patric Flynn
Taken from Jahan Gonzalez's blog on Marvin Gaye.
http://jahangonzalezmh2blog.blogspot.com/2012/09/whats-going-on.html
Peer Comment 2
Kelsey,
After reading your blog and the two of us discussing it class, we clearly are of the same sentiment towards The Velvet Underground. I wholeheartedly agree that if it weren’t for Andy Warhol Velvet never would have made it to mainstream. It’s difficult to protest that a band is terrible with Warhol’s pretext of it being a part of art in the Exploding Plastic Inevitable when trendy art critics and bohemian crowds applaud his work.
As for any technicalities in your work I’d say you should follow APA format or something similar. Breaking up your blog into multiple paragraphs when appropriate would benefit the reader by giving them a pause during changes in topics. Other than that one minor adjustment your blog excels form the others I’ve read.
-Patric Flynn
Taken from Kelsey Godfrey's Blog on The Velvet Underground.
http://kelseyagodfrey.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-velvet-underground-nico.html
Independent Research- Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan’s presence in the
music world has been felt for over twenty years now. Originally releasing her
first album in 1988, it wasn’t until her second release Solace in ’91 that she
started gaining notoriety. Since then, she has gone on to sell more than 40
million albums worldwide and won several Grammys along with numerous other
awards. Not to be outdone she has also helped more female musicians get started
than any other artist has.
She is
mainly known for playing the piano, but is by no means limited to those
confines as she plays the harp and guitar as well. Sarah is capable of writing
lyrics too, drawing influence from Peter Gabriel. Although she mainly writes
about relationships this in no way affects her versatility as a whole. Her
music draws on emotion, which is accentuated by her vocal talent. With her
mezzo-soprano range she is capable of invoking a stronger emotional appeal within
her poignant ballads.
Becoming
frustrated by the way promoters and radio stations treated female musicians
Sarah founded Lilith Fair in ’97. The festival consisted solely of female
artists or female-led bands. It initially lasted for three annual tours, but
its decreasing reception caused Lilith to go on hiatus. It was once again
revived in 2010, but again poor ticket sales were the cause of its inevitable
cancellation. Despite its waning pop popularity Lilith Fair raised
over $10M for women's charities. Not only that but it helped start or boost many
female artist’s careers such as A Fine Frenzy and Erin McCarley.
Being male and admitting I like
Sarah’s music generally makes me the source of ridicule when the topic is
brought up. It affects me little since I know just how amazing of a musician
she really is. I’m extremely partial to vocally talented female artists. Great
ones are far and few between, but there are diamonds in the rough like A Fine
Frenzy that are able to spark similar emotions that Sarah does. However, for
some reason Sarah’s music touches me more than all the others. I think she
sounds the best when she does live sets; her CD Mirrorball is one example.
Moreover,
being enthralled by her voice helped me escape reality when I was deployed for
the first time. I listened to her albums on a daily basis for almost 15 months
straight. It wasn’t the lyrics that grabbed me as much as her voice. To me
she’s capable of making any subject sound beautiful. For example, Possession,
which is probably her most popular song. The lyrics are about obsession with
intent to rape, but many people miss that because of her extraordinary vocals.
My heart melts at the sound of her voice and that’s a rarity to come across. So
while people choose to tease me for liking her, ultimately the joke’s on them
for not recognizing her talent.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Electronic Music Entry
Pioneers of electronic music,
Kraftwerk has had a lasting effect across many genres of modern music.
For over 40yrs Kraftwek’s all-electronic music has paved the way influencing
many artists and setting the stage for new music genres to come to fruition. The
band was formed in 1970 by Ralf Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, which upon
creation gave off an immediate robotic feel. This is definitely so when the
band performs on stage. Standing behind their synthesizers they combine
repetition and appealing melodies all within a minimalistic approach.
Kraftwerk’s
first several releases in the early 70’s were experiments in rock. None of
their early works used hooks or catchy structures. Both Hütter and Schneider
have remarked that they never found poppy songs or catchy songs that are found
frequenting radios that interesting. They are more interested in having the
listener unsure what is coming next, but at the same time enjoy what is being
played. Those several albums were more of an exploration into modifying various
instruments through multi-dubbing and tape manipulation.
They found
their first commercial success in 1974 with the release of Autobahn. This album
allowed them to spread their music to a wider audience cover all of Europe and
even reached the US and Canada. Their hit title Autobahn, the same as the album
title, was an ode to the monotony many face while driving this
well-known road. The two albums released afterward Radio-Activity and
Trans-Europe Express would also pay homage to other such modern
marvels. The band would maintain similar themes through subsequent releases.
With
their ability of synthesizing in an minimal capacity it drives their music to
be popish. Hütter and Schneider would certainly have something to say after
reading that, but this style of music is no different from the simplicity of a pop
singer. People find solace in simplicity and that’s what’s makes both styles
appealing. While I may not find their music engaging it’s undeniable to see how
the use of effects in their music has drifted over to many bands and even bled
into numerous genres.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Electronic Music Innovations
Eno has been a highly
influential figure in world of music. Being one of the pioneers in the
electronic genre, he has made a notable mark in ambient music as well. Having
coined the term “ambient music” and developed innovative production techniques
Eno has had a wider impact on music than most people will ever know.
Initially
his music career began with Roxy Music in the early 70’s, but his time with the
band was short lived as he tired of the rock star lifestyle. Straightaway Eno
moved toward a solo career and subsequently released four albums within a
five-year span. The first of these, No Pussyfooting, Eno started experimenting
with tape-delay system he was developing. Used mainly as an effect on his friend’s
guitar, it was this use of technology that would set the stage for sampling in
genres such as hip-hop and electronica.
After
a car accident left him bedridden for a number of months in ’75 Eno had what is
probably his most noteworthy innovation. Being unable to turn up his stereo to
hear over a rainstorm it dawned on him that music could have similar attributes
as the world surrounding us. Moods, colors, tones, feelings, all can be
expressed similarly through the se of music. German composer, Wagner, may be
first noted for his ability to incite feeling through his works in the theatre.
However, Eno showed through Another Green World that it can be used more often
than just in theatre.
Aside
from his ambient works Eno has also been instrumental in the producing side of
music. During the 70’s he worked worked with David Bowie, Devo and even assisted in promoting the
short lived “No Way” genre. He has produced for several popular 80’s bands like
Talking Heads and Depeche Mode as well. His milestone as a producer came when
he worked alongside U2. He has worked on seven of their albums, including
Joshua Tree, which is arguably one of the most influential albums to have been
released in the last 30 years.
Brian Eno has had a substantial impact on my life. Joshua Tree to this day remains on of the most influential albums of my youth. Aside from that, my desire to work in postproduction may very well be attributed to what he’s done. His ability to show the importance that music and sounds can have on an environment has caused this industry to expand exponentially.
Brian Eno has had a substantial impact on my life. Joshua Tree to this day remains on of the most influential albums of my youth. Aside from that, my desire to work in postproduction may very well be attributed to what he’s done. His ability to show the importance that music and sounds can have on an environment has caused this industry to expand exponentially.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On
Marvin Gaye, the Prince of Soul,
started with the doo-wop quartet, the Marquees. The band would change their
name to Harvey and the New Moonglows before finally disbanding without any
commercial success. Gaye filled his time by playing drums for the Spinners
while also working for Harvey Records. Not long afterwards Marvin was signed to
release a solo album. Inspired by Ray Charles and Nat King Cole, Marvin’s
crossover from R&B wasn’t well received. It wasn’t until he started singing
duets did his success start to grow. Singing duets with Tammi Terrell, Gaye
popularity took off. The duets success was short lived however as Tammi
suffered from a brain tumor and passed away. Despondent Gaye receded from the
music industry.
Gaye looked for a new direction in
music, one that would be able to “affect the souls of people.” At this time he
had been affected by the letters his brother had sent him while in Vietnam
along with the increasing social tensions that were building up back home.
After Obie Benson played an unfinished version of what would later become
What’s Going On he convinced Marvin to record the song.
Initially, the single What’s Going
On was refused by Motown’s founder Berry Gordy. Berry believed Marvin would
lose much of his target audience if the song were released. In defiance, Gaye
countered by stating he would never record for Motown again if the single
weren’t released. After becoming a commercial success Motown allowed him to
release the album What’s Going On.
Despite the constant pressure from Motown
Marvin showed that his concept album could be a hit. Its heavy emphasis on the
political issues of the day had never been done before in R&B. The manner
in which he sang comes across as empathetic to the issued facing the nation
instead of trying to drive an agenda. Also the entire album is sang from the
perspective of a veteran who had returned from Vietnam. From beginning to end
the album takes on the role of a disillusioned soldier who finds the country he
returned to plagued with civil unrest and police brutality.
I have long been listening to
Marvin Gaye and its easy to understand why this album is a masterpiece. It
flows so seamlessly with the rhythms piecing together with the melodies
flawlessly. His voice is an instrument all its own. In addition to the message it conveys it’s just an overall
great album to listen to.
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