Listening Journal Week 6

Wow these chapters cover a lot of ground. From Woodstock to Reggae the music in these chapters seems to cover a lot of ground. However, like most of the other chapters, a lot of these genres were happening simultaneously in different parts of the country. These selections were also a little more challenging, not just because of the variances in the genres, but also because our listening guides were farther and fewer between. Most all of the songs in the 1970's follow a strophic format, with verse refrain. The only exception to this is the Love theme by Barry White. I found a 1984 live video from Paris, and it is interesting to think of the Iconic Barry White, leading an orchestra for the instrumental Love's Theme Most of these songs also are longer than the previous decades and tend to push the envelope. I enjoyed these selections from the 1970's. They reminded me of music, my parents, particularly my dad, used to play for me. He was a great fan of these groups. Carole King's It's too Late Baby follows the typical strophic format with simple instrumentation. She is what I consider a typical singer songwriter from this time period. With other successes, such as I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet, she rose to popularity very quickly. It's too late baby describes a relationship and shows her maturity as a songwriter. It has a long interlude which preceeds the final verse, yet still keeping the strophic format. Superstition shows the musical virtuosity of Stevie Wonder. Using overdubbing he played most of the instruments in this track. This song "blends elements from different aspects of African Aerical musical traditions". This is one thing that I have noticed in several of our chapters, many genres build off of other genres. Much the way blues built off of the Spritual, Stevie Wonder expands on those traditions and creates a totally new sound. One thing that is also new in this selection is the use of synthesizers. Stevie Wonder was a pioneer in the use of this instrument. Elton John's Crocodile Rock reminds me of the songs from earlier decades, particularly the rock and roll genre of the late 50's and early 60's. Although using the same chord structure, Crockodile Rock puts a new twist on this genre. It is meant to be nostalgic and does a great job of doing so. Moving on to Barry White's Love Theme, we go back to the Tin Pan Alley format of AABA. Thinking of Barry White's more popular songs, it is interesting to see him as conductor. This song uses a full orchestra and no lyrics. Best known for his voice, this was surprising to me to hear this with only instruments. John Denver is perhaps one of the most iconic players during this time. He got his start as part of the urban folk scene and continued to flourish throughout the 1970's. The rural flavor of this piece add to that flavor and tell a story again following the strophic format. The new light style of this creates a new lighter version of country music. The Eagles stretched the boundaries of time limit with their song Hotel California. This song tells a story and was one of the Eagle's most famous hits. Hotel California is in a minor key and stretches all of the boundaries while keeping the 1960's light rock feeling. Although the shape and tonality lend itself to the earlier decade, the length and tone of the lyrics puts this piece clearly in the 1970's. Another popular genre in the 1970's was Hard Rock most clearly demonstrated by Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin. We have no lost the "Peaceful Easy Feeling" of the 1960's and moved into something more heavy. This is the most famous recording for the group. Another song that pushes the boundaries of time limits, this single comes in at about 10 minutes. This recording can be divided into three sections, one that follows a AbAbAa' format, the second, BaXbAXB and the third, CXBCX. The harmonies are intense in the vocals and the guitar solos are heavy. Like the other decades we have Latin Music influences in Rock. This is most famous with Carlos Santana and his Oye Como Va. This single is a wonderful representation of the blending of LAtin styles and American Rock. It follows a ABCBB'C format with intermitten instrumental solos on organ and guitar. CArlos Santana is known for his intense guitar skills and they are showcased in this piece. The two pieces by Donna Summers represent disco music of this time. Both of these pieces, Love to Love You Baby and Bad Girls define the Disco beat and the medium fast tempo. These pieces touch on deep subject matter of love and loss with straightforward lyrics and limited harmonies , all characteristics of the Disco Life. Pancho and Lefty was one of my favorites from this sections. I love how country music of this time period tells a story. Also, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard are two two of my husband's favorite singers. The lyrics are the focus of this song and it is in a particular ballad format. Another outisder music was reggae music, and the beginnings of Rap. Exmplemified in The Message I must say, I laughed when I first listened to this piece, just because it seems so simple compared to Rap music of today. But it does demonstrate the same type of subject matter and a crossover into early hiphop.