Today I went to Monroe Elementary School to do a little people workshop about the Giants of Jazz subjects of my Jazz In July show, Billie H, Ella F, Fats W, and Irene M. How did I grab their attention immediately? Easily, by referencing the jazziness of one of their favorites, Hannah Montana!
We made stylistic and lyrical adjustments to the Hannah song, "Life's what you make it, so let's make it rock!" We also did little dances, had volunteer leader participants, had simple playacting moments, and kept it really high energy and high zany-ness factor (and by the way, that just summed up all my secrets of success while hanging with the young-uns, in addition to snackies and tangible stimulus).
Anyway, the frame of reference for these precious babes is frightfully small when it comes to music and the arts. In other words, it's nothing at all resembling the kaleidoscopic panoramic vista they deserve and need. So when I get the great chance to be with them, I strive to be an advocate for as many colors of the musical rainbow that I can fit into our time. And I strive to make it meaningful beyond all the cotton candy crap they are being fed every minute of the day by greedy corporate executives (which includes not just the record industry, but TV, magazines, all areas of culture--sorry, top dogs, that means you).
I am always a bit grieved after time spent with these tiny pure-hearted future societal gatekeepers, because the kaleidoscope of truthful creative diversity from which they could and should be nurtured, is held at bay in favor of dollar signs and lies.
The kids I shared some life with today were so open, fearless, ready for exploration and experimentation in what I called "the beautiful and exciting land of the jazz giants." If only we all could be that way, and bring childlike hearts of wonder, play, embracing, and adventure, into our musical life soundtracks, and in so doing, expand our comfort zones into the kaleidoscopic panoramic vistas they were meant to be.
peace, tina
14 August 2008
07 August 2008
Under The Dashboard
Once again, here are some sonic musings on three projects lurking in our recent consciousness:
1. Madonna--"Ray of Light": The word to describe this vibe is "twinkly". Electronica whiz William Orbit did a great job establishing a kind of warmth within the sometimes icy setting of the techno world. Madonna's vocals are among her very best, the song selection is solid, and the whole concept has been realized beautifully and fluidly from start to finish.
2. Over The Rhine--"Ohio": The 2-disc tour-de-force of this husband and wife team is filled with the melancholy wisdom for which this group is becoming known. Their projects before and since are fine, but this to me will stand as a charmed musical moment. Always one of my first choices for the moody-broody times, this sounds like dim lights, sad reflection, and a twilight of grace from their living room to ours (they actually did record big parts of this in their very own living room).
3. Bettye Lavette (with the Drive-By Truckers)--"Scene of the Crime": Bettye is our girl, so we are admittedly a bit biased about her--run, don't walk, to get this and her previous project--"I've Got My Own Hell To Raise". She's rootsy, she's bluesy, she's soulful, she's been around the block but still radiates the energy of someone two whole generations younger than her. This project was truly a labor of love, and the seemingly unlikely choice of the DBT as her supporting band (who I just very pleasantly rocked with in the very first row hanging onto the fence at 80/35) turned out to be an inspired choice, aided by an earthy Americana production approach.
Who's been under your dashboard lately?
1. Madonna--"Ray of Light": The word to describe this vibe is "twinkly". Electronica whiz William Orbit did a great job establishing a kind of warmth within the sometimes icy setting of the techno world. Madonna's vocals are among her very best, the song selection is solid, and the whole concept has been realized beautifully and fluidly from start to finish.
2. Over The Rhine--"Ohio": The 2-disc tour-de-force of this husband and wife team is filled with the melancholy wisdom for which this group is becoming known. Their projects before and since are fine, but this to me will stand as a charmed musical moment. Always one of my first choices for the moody-broody times, this sounds like dim lights, sad reflection, and a twilight of grace from their living room to ours (they actually did record big parts of this in their very own living room).
3. Bettye Lavette (with the Drive-By Truckers)--"Scene of the Crime": Bettye is our girl, so we are admittedly a bit biased about her--run, don't walk, to get this and her previous project--"I've Got My Own Hell To Raise". She's rootsy, she's bluesy, she's soulful, she's been around the block but still radiates the energy of someone two whole generations younger than her. This project was truly a labor of love, and the seemingly unlikely choice of the DBT as her supporting band (who I just very pleasantly rocked with in the very first row hanging onto the fence at 80/35) turned out to be an inspired choice, aided by an earthy Americana production approach.
Who's been under your dashboard lately?
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