Week 4 – Fantasy Band Project Blog Entry

The rhythm section of my band would be the Funk Brothers. The Funk Brothers consists of guitarists Robert White, Joe Messina, and Eddie Willis. The Bass Players were James Jamerson and Bob Babbitt. The Drummers were Benny Papa Zita Benjamin, Richard Pistol Allen and Uriel Jones. The Percussionists were Jack Ashford and Eddie Bongo Brown. The Keyboard players were Joe Hunter, Earl Van Dyke and Johnny Griffith. Wilson Pickett would be my main performer for my band. I feel the combination of Wilson Pickett singing over some of Motown tunes would create a special sound. The style of music the Funk Brothers and Wilson Pickett would have created would be something like Marvin Gaye but more gospel sounding because Pickett had the voice of a Baptist minister preaching a sermon. My band would create an original song because of all the talented songwriters that surrounded The Funk Brothers at Motown and the duo of Gamble and Huff writing for Wilson. One characteristic of the song that Wilson and The Funk Brothers would make is pop sounding because of the type of music Motown made. Another characteristic of the song that this combination would make would be soulful because when Wilson Pickett sung it sounded like he was pouring his heart out on the song. The final characteristic of this song would be that it would have a gospel sound because Picketts songs typically used the organ, an instrument commonly used in church. My ability to mesh sounds together to create a unified sound will allow me to produce a good project. As the producer, my contribution to this project is to arrange the music as well as vocal arrangement. The name of the group would be called Unity. I would market this project through social media. I would also market this project using the combination of Prezi.com along with musicpledge or kickstarter. All of these resources can be helpful for exposure as well as crowd funding for projects. With technology being advanced the way it is my band would be indie. I would definitely make a video for my band at this time because even in 2014 videos are still great marketing tools.

 

The Funk Brothers Biography. (n.d.). OLDIES.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014, from http://www.oldies.com/artist-biography/The-Funk-Brothers.html

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum. (n.d.). Wilson Pickett Biography. Retrieved June 29, 2014, from http://rockhall.com/inductees/wilson-pickett/bio/

Week 4 Independent Research Entry

James Brown:The Hardest Working Man In Show Biz

 

The impact that James Brown has had on other artists and popular music has been profound. Though James Brown music was considered Funk and Soul, his influence has been felt well beyond the Funk and Soul genre. James Brown was considered a legendary performer and this trademark influenced the likes of Michael Jackson, Mc Hammer and Chris Brown just to name a few. The funky bass lines that James Brown’s music provided caused the Hip Hop community to make him the most sampled artist ever. A unique characteristic that James Brown possess would be longevity. James career spanned fifty years and I had never saw any signs of him slowing down with his spectacular moves. Another unique characteristics of James would be his care for his people. When James Brown created the song I’m Black and I’m Proud he was trying to create an anthem that would inject hope and pride into Black people during tumultuous times. Showmanship is a unique characteristic of James Brown because no one could move like James Brown. He felt obligated to give a great show every time he performed. The impression I received from James Brown as a listener is the fact that he grew up in church. The reason for me feeling this way is because of his delivery and imagery being similar to the Reverends inside of church. The Impression James Brown left me as an industry professional is to fully explore my horizons. James Brown was not only an entertainer he was also an entrepreneur that eventually owned a radio station. Five years from now I see myself solidifying my place in the music industry as a highly successful engineer and producer that’s working with already established artists. Also I see myself being apart of a commercially successful project within the next five years.

 

 

James Brown. (n.d.). James Brown. Retrieved June 29, 2014, from http://www.jamesbrown.com/

 

biography. (n.d.). Bio.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/james-brown-9228350#awesm=~oIBZEhIYpjiV7J

Week 4 Prezi Spotify Blog

 

http://prezi.com/dzymvdisggko/f/

 

Week 3 Blog Entry 2 – Electronic Composer, Artist or Innovation

Don Buchla is a pioneer with the creation of instruments dedicated to electronic music. He is one of the forefathers responsible for innovating synthesizers. Don’s impact on the industry is greatly felt by musicians and rival competitors because of the standards he has set with his line of instruments and performance controllers. His expertise has allowed him to advise various instrument manufacturing companies like CBS, Kimball piano, Zeta Music, Yamaha International and Gibson Guitar. Don’s impact can be seen and felt today when you see all the different sounds various Digital Audio Workstations provide. Also his contributions made it to where we would no longer have to capture sounds with tape recorders because of the multitude of sounds his synthesizers offered. His impact has resonated with the Hip Hop genre because of his inventive ways to make something out of nothing. This is the science of Alchemy.

 

 A characteristic of Don Buchla is that he exemplifies fresh ideas. He doesn’t want to call his instrument a synthesizer because they immolate existing sounds. His aim was to produce new sounds with his instruments. Another characteristic of Don is that he is inspirational and influential not only to musicians but instrument manufacturing companies such as Moog.

 

 The impression Don Buchla leaves on me as an industry professional is that of a preemie because he is ahead of his time with his inventions. The impression he leaves on me is the same impression Grand master flash leaves on me and that’s a creative and inventive feel that motivated them to create technology that would aid with the music production phase. Don created the music box and synthesizers while Grand Master Flash invented turntables made for scratching.

 

 

 

 

 

 Crosstalk: Don Buchla replies…. (n.d.). Crosstalk: Don Buchla replies…. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar06/articles/crosstalk.htm

 

 

Don Buchla | Buchla. (n.d.). Buchla. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://buchla.com/about/don-buchla/

 

 

 

 

Week 3 Entry 1 – Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk’s music was innovative as well as groundbreaking because of the artistic rules that it did not adhere to. According to week 3 pdf, music consists of three elements melody, harmony and rhythm. Kraftwerk’s music did not follow this formula. Kraftwerk looked to arrange various sounds to create a sound collage. According to some of the public, Kraftwerks image was described as robot computer music guys. Kraftwerks videos and music caused people to look at them in this light. Also Kraftwerk would all dress alike and gave off a robotic feel in public and during performances.

 

Kraftwerks albums that were released from 1974 to 1981 were widely recognized as the roots to electronic music becoming a legitimate genre. Autobahn was released in 74 and it was inspired by road travel. Radio Activity was released in 75 and it was inspired by nuclear activity and the radio. Trans- Europe express was released in 77 and it was inspired by trains. The man machine was released in 78 and Computer World in 81. Both of these albums seem as though they were forecasting the future or maybe they were speaking these things into existence.

 

One characteristic that causes Kraftwerk to be the biggest influence on Electronic music is their self-confidence because they allowed themselves to go to new places in their head artistically without fear of failure. This new place I am referring to is what some call unchartered waters. Innovative is another characteristic of Kraftwerk’s because they were trying to create a sound that would invoke certain feelings from people that had never been experienced before. Their constant obligation to themselves to create something new was the characteristic that made them become the biggest influence on Electronic Music.

 

The impression Kraftwerk music leaves on me as a listener is them being visionaries, willing to go out on that limb of creativity without hesitation. The impression Kraftwerk leaves on me as an industry professional to think outside the box because they created with their own minds and did not allow industry rules to dictate to them how their music should sound.

 

Kraftwerk Biography | Rolling Stone. (n.d.). Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/kr

 

THE EARLY YEARS  70 – 73. (n.d.). Kraftwerk Biography. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://homepage.ntlworld.com/allan.icepalac

 

 

Week 2 Blog Entry 3 – Peer Comment

I totally agree with your initially impression of Brian Eno. Music can be confusing when it is first introduced to society. Hip Hop caused mainstream America to be confused in its inception. You were able to gain appreciation for Brian Eno’s music once you got a understanding of where he was coming from. I just find it amazing how Eno was able to create a sound by being bedridden. I always feel its some type of higher power and higher source that always involves itself in our creative process. I don’t think it was a coincidence what happened to Brian Eno that faithful rainy day.

Week 3

I totally understand your admiration for Kraftwerks music because I too can appreciate anyone trying something new musically. I feel the only we can express our uniqueness with creativity is through ignoring the norms and just being ourselves. It seem as though Kraftwerk inspiration was drawn from their environment and their surroundings. I think it was somewhat ingenious for Kraftwerk to create a group theme and have their music and image reinforce that theme. The altering of voices that kraftwerk used on some of their albums could have also contributed to the creation of auto tune. In my opinion Kraftwerk influence has reached more people and more musical genres then they are being given credit for.

 

Kraftwerk

 

Week 4

 

I enjoyed your piece on Jimi Hendrix, Bootsy Collins and The Funk Brothers. I also feel Jimi was one of the greatest guitarist. He was a true innovator. It still trips me out to think how Jimi would incorporate feedback from the speakers into his song. I dig your fantasy line up because Hendrix, Bootsy Collins both had skills and the Funk Brothers are responsible for a lot of Motown classics. I totally agree with you when saying a band this magnitude would not need a major label because they would be able to create a buzz with the help of live shows and the internet.

 

Fantasy Band Project

 

Week 2Blog Entry 2 – “Marvin Gaye’s – What’s Going On”

Before the release of What’s Going On, Marvin was an artist that sung love songs. He also wanted to be like Frank Sinatra or Nat King Cole in terms wanting to sing ballads. Before What’s Goin On, Marvin had an image of a ladies man. The social and national concerns that inspired the lyrics of What’s Goin On was the Vietnam War, Poverty, Starvation and Police Brutality to name a few. The fact that Marvin had a brother serving in Vietnam also served as inspiration for What’s Goin On.Renaldo Obie Benson was the person who originally came up with the idea of What’s Goin On. The two characteristics of What’s Goin On that sets it apart from other soul album of the 60’s and 70’s is the recording technique of doubling the vocals. Another characteristic that What’s Goin On had that sets it apart from the other soul albums was its socially conscious lyrics speaking on Vietnam and all the social ills we faced as a society. The obstacles Marvin faced getting What’s Goin On recorded and released was the lack of support by Barry Gordy toward the album because of its content. Marvin had to let Barry know that the song is not a protest to authority but rather a plea or a cry out to justice. Another obstacle Marvin had to face was hearing Barry say it was the worst album he has ever heard. Barry felt marvin should only sing love songs The impression What’s Goin On give me as a listener is a feel of it being a soundtrack for that time period. The impression it give me as an industry professional is a feel of resistance to conformity. Marvin was unwilling to put out any records for Motown until the album was released. This speaks directly to Artist creative control.

 

 

Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On. (n.d.). Obituaries. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.legacy.com/news/legends-and-legacies/marvin-gaye-whats-going-on/531/

 

What’s Going On: Marvin Gaye’s Liberation from the Motown Sound. (n.d.). PopMatters. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://www.popmatters.com/feature/69381-whats-going-on-marvin-gayes-liberation-from-the-motown-sound/

 

 

Week 2 Blog Entry 1 – “Brian Eno – 40 Years of changing music”

 

The two characteristics of Brian Eno ‘s projects that set itself apart from other recordings was his used of ambient sounds. His incorporating of ambient sounds with his music was an innovation for the time. Another characteristic of Brian Eno projects that set it apart from others was the recording technique he called artificial doubling. A characteristic of his projects that separates itself from the other recording is how he views the studio as an instrument, causing his music to be greatly impacted by this philosophy. The Last characteristic of Brian Eno projects that sets it apart from the rest is his unique ability to combine art with music creating video sculptures and new forms of expression. The impression Brian Eno work gives me as a listener is a feel of Discovery and Exploration. None of Brian Eno music follows any norms and this is what causes it to be different as well as unique sounding. As a industry professional his work gives me a impression of being limitless and being without boundaries. We as artist cannot be limited to doing things only one way. Brian Eno’s influence is Minimalist composer Steve Reich and his piece called Its Gonna Rain. The “My life in the Bush of Ghosts” project tends to have a rock and an ambient feel to it. The Shutov Assembly project tends to have a mellow ambient feel. It seems as though Eno has a fascination with combining multiple musical genres and adding a twist of ambience sound to complete his musical formula. Brian Eno epitomize doing what feels right to you because ultimately we will be the ones that will be held accountable for decisions made artistically. I truly believe Eno’s style has influenced Hip Hop and its want to incorporate different sounds into rap beats as well as in skits on albums.

 

 

MusicThoughts. (n.d.). Brian Eno. Retrieved June 12, 2014, from http://musicthoughts.com/author/2

 

 

PRO SESSION – The Studio As Compositional Tool. (n.d.). Downbeat. Retrieved June 15, 2014, from http://music.hyperreal.org/artists/brian_eno

 

Multimedia Presentation Brian Enos

http://prezi.com/1wnejubbn0rv/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

 

 

Revolver The Beatles Entry 3

The image of the Beatles prior to the Release of Revolver was that of a clean-cut boy group that did not use drugs. The music of the Beatles prior to the Revolver album was a popish rock sound.

 

The non- musical interests that influenced the music and lyrical content of the Revolver were the drugs LSD and Marijuana. Also the Philosopher Alan Watts influenced the music and lyrical content of the Revolver.

 

The Beatles used the studio as an instrument when creating stuff out of thin air. George Martin using the approach of playing the tape backwards was an example of using the studio as an instrument. The usage of distortion was another innovation found on Revolver. Another example where the Beatles used the studio as an instrument is when the tape was sped up and slowed down.

 

A few innovations found on revolver was when a bass cabinet (speaker) was placed in front of Paul McCartney bass instead of a microphone to get a certain sound from the big diaphragm of the bass cabinet. Another innovation found on the Revolver album is placing compression on Ringo Starr’s drums to make them sound fatter. George Martin decision of not using drums or bass but rather allowing the strings to fulfill all the musical obligations of the composition was an innovation that was found on Revolver. Lastly. artificial double tracking was an innovation found on the Revolver.

 

The impression Revolver gave me as a listener is a feel of innovativeness because of its staggering harmonies that was unlike anything else at the time. The impression Revolver gave me as an industry professional is a feel of aspiring for greatness. The sound of the album takes me on a musical journey. Another impression Revolver gives me as an industry professional is that it was a head of its time in so many ways, from a musical and technological standpoints.

 

 

 

Revolver – The Beatles | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic. (n.d.). AllMusic. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.allmusic.com/album/revolver-mw0000189174

Revolver | The Beatles Bible. (n.d.). The Beatles Bible. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.beatlesbible.com/albums/revolv