Take A Bow (Or Today's Vocabulary Lesson)

Jeff left a comment on my post about Biggie Smalls that brings up a point about music. It's a form of communication, just like speech. It has different languages, usually differentiated as genres. Jeff stated that he's not a fan of rap. I didn't connect with the genre either until recently as my musical taste continues to morph and envelop more of the world's music.

Take Sigur Ros. Only the second band that I've seen the lead guitarist create a reverb drone with a bow from an orchestral instrument, they speak a different musical language than, say, Eminem. They really even differ from their progressive avant-garde influences, yet they follow from them, linguistically. I'm not an expert on the group, so maybe Jeff could chime in with a comment giving some more about them.

But, for me, even though very different in language, my interest in both hip-hop and avant-garde aural landscapes can be traced back, in part, to Bob Green's The Grassy Knoll. His music is trip-hop/instrumental rock using orchestral and rock instruments along with electronic sampling. Crazy amazing stuff. But you have to understand the language spoken.

Have you ever heard something that just sounded like noise? Of course. Ok. Have you ever heard the same thing some time later and you could understand it then? That's because you learned a new language. Mind expanding (didja catch Jimi in there?).

Here's a listing of all the pieces from Green's first 3 albums. I can't get Realplayer to work for me, but they are worth a listen if it works for you.

Peace.

Jimmy Page 10/22/08

Dead Wrong

As I wait for Eminem to put out a new record, I'm learning more about the west coast/east coast world of rap. Some pretty nasty, powerfully real shit. Mostly autobiographical, as most authentic, passionate music is, the words of Biggie, Snoop, Tupac, Dre, Combs, and Mr. Mathers reveal the lives they've lived.

And in a twisted feedback loop, they hyperbolize those lives, and deaths.

Modern poets, however vulgar, they speak the truth of the coastal streets.

Or do they create it? Persistence
spittin' 'gainst resistance.
I don'know, only know existence.
This shit's just
pissed us all off 'cause
we hate to see hate
playin' us against
each other, brother
of another color,
another city. I don't
blame Em for lyin' low.
Life's not even worth the sickest flow.
He had ta blow, for awhile
he'd be in denial if he didn't go.
Rappers are artists too, yo.
- vinylart '08

You may not like it, but, yes it is art, not for the faint of heart. No, seriously, this is heavy. What the warning labels are for. But it is their truth. Power to those who have the guts to share it.

Peace.

Available - Notorious B.I.G. 10/20/08