Music as Metaphor.

In April 2011, Wynton Marsalis launched “Hidden in Plain View: Meanings in American Music,” a three-year performance and lecture series at Harvard University. The six lecture series began with “Music as Metaphor,” an interpretation of the many unobserved symbols in American music and their illumination of the democratic process, and featured performances by Marsalis alongside Ali Jackson (drums), Dan Nimmer (piano), Walter Blanding (tenor sax), Carlos Henriquez (bass), James Chirillo (guitar and banjo), and Mark O’Connor (violin).

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...oEnS2EI8GSlf2u
bambino's Avatar
Johnny Cash got it right


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eJlN9jdQFSc Originally Posted by bambino
Wynton gives props out to the Carter family, Ryman auditorium and many others.
I have been playing guitar for the better part of my 75 years, and love series like this. It is amazing how so many genre of musical cultures use the same basic rhythms.

American Rock and Roll, Country,, Bluegrass, Folk, Gospel all find their roots in the basic 1-4-5 progression and 4/4 time. The words and notes change, but the basic chord structures are the same.

I agree with Bambino. The great American Musical Poet has to be Johnny cash. What he and the Tennessee Two did with just an acoustic guitar, a Fender Telecaster, and a Stand Up Bass, along with his lyrics, is timeless.

For your pleasure, here is my favorite Johnny Cash song. A few more instruments, mainly the Dobro and the simple muffled one-two licks of Luther’s guitar fits perfect.
About as simple as you can get while being simply great.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...8FnMir0rMCIIpj
bambino's Avatar
I have been playing guitar for the better part of my 75 years, and love series like this. It is amazing how so many genre of musical cultures use the same basic rhythms.

American Rock and Roll, Country,, Bluegrass, Folk, Gospel all find their roots in the basic 1-4-5 progression and 4/4 time. The words and notes change, but the basic chord structures are the same.

I agree with Bambino. The great American Musical Poet has to be Johnny cash. What he and the Tennessee Two did with just an acoustic guitar, a Fender Telecaster, and a Stand Up Bass, along with his lyrics, is timeless.

For your pleasure, here is my favorite Johnny Cash song. A few more instruments, mainly the Dobro and the simple muffled one-two licks of Luther’s guitar fits perfect.
About as simple as you can get while being simply great.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...8FnMir0rMCIIpj Originally Posted by Jackie S
In that vein, Bo Didley ushered in R&B and R&R with the Bo Didley beat. Buddy Holly used it on “Not Fade Away” to usher in R&R. The rest is history.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yeZHB3ozglQ

He was a musical genius.

Notice all the young white girls in the audience jamming.
Yssup Rider's Avatar
That’s because black girls weren’t allowed.
bambino's Avatar
That’s because black girls weren’t allowed. Originally Posted by Yssup Rider
They were on stage you moron. They’re better dancers, as was Bo.
That’s because black girls weren’t allowed. Originally Posted by Yssup Rider
Ironically, Mr. Marsalis addresses this very issue in his talks. The musicians were integrated well before the society in general.
As late as the early 60s, Frank Zappa got hassled because he had black and white musicians in the Mothers.
Look up the documentary on Muscle Shoals and see how Aretha became Aretha after jamming with the Swampers, a bunch of White boys from small town Alabama. ( yes, the same Swampers referred to by Lynyrd Skynyrd ).

https://youtu.be/KO2MmfAZ_mw