Friday, May 12, 2006
Best. Song. Ever.
... until I find another one.
I've been known to criticize my comrades' musical tastes, particularly in political music. Yes, I like the Pete Seegers and Ani Di... well, I like the Pete Seegers of this world. But folk music isn't always where it's at.
For my money, the best music ever made was American R&B from the late 60s & early 70s. The black power movement transformed R&B, adding revolutionary content to a complex form that took from, and influenced jazz, gospel and even psychedelic rock. And unlike today's shouty revolutionary, these artists could sing in harmony, play with a full band - and they had soul. They took the struggles of the ghetto and made them into beautiful, uplifting music.
Here's the first selection: The Lost Generation - Paulette.
Paulette is not a political track. But it's the best R&B track I've heard in a year, and it's been making me happy for months. You will not be able to listen to this and sit still, I promise.
The Lost Generation was a Chicago band that only lasted two years, 1969-1970. But in their short time together, they blended smooth harmonies with Motown rhythms and social commentary.
Legal Disclaimer: this is copyrighted music. It's a personal archive of music I've bought, posted for information purposes only, not to be distributed, resold or broadcast from the rooftops of a block party, though that would sound incredible. If anyone is truly offended by my free advertising for Brunswick Records' back catalogue, I will of course remove the link. But there's more at stake here.
As we all know, record companies always treated black musicians scrupulously, paying them the royalties and fees they were owed. So it's only fair that, if you like this song, you purchase the entire record. Because, 35 years later, the companies' cut has long been paid off, and every penny goes straight to the artist.
Cut throat white managers, producers, and agents, and owners
And on and on and on
We used to having white people try to rob us
Ain't no new thing
- Gil Scott-Heron
Sorry, angry political tangent. This is awesome, happy music. There's a catch: I can only host it for a month. If you haven't checked it out by June 11, email me at victor.serge@gmail.com, and I'll send you a copy.
I've been known to criticize my comrades' musical tastes, particularly in political music. Yes, I like the Pete Seegers and Ani Di... well, I like the Pete Seegers of this world. But folk music isn't always where it's at.
For my money, the best music ever made was American R&B from the late 60s & early 70s. The black power movement transformed R&B, adding revolutionary content to a complex form that took from, and influenced jazz, gospel and even psychedelic rock. And unlike today's shouty revolutionary, these artists could sing in harmony, play with a full band - and they had soul. They took the struggles of the ghetto and made them into beautiful, uplifting music.
Here's the first selection: The Lost Generation - Paulette.
Paulette is not a political track. But it's the best R&B track I've heard in a year, and it's been making me happy for months. You will not be able to listen to this and sit still, I promise.
The Lost Generation was a Chicago band that only lasted two years, 1969-1970. But in their short time together, they blended smooth harmonies with Motown rhythms and social commentary.
Legal Disclaimer: this is copyrighted music. It's a personal archive of music I've bought, posted for information purposes only, not to be distributed, resold or broadcast from the rooftops of a block party, though that would sound incredible. If anyone is truly offended by my free advertising for Brunswick Records' back catalogue, I will of course remove the link. But there's more at stake here.
As we all know, record companies always treated black musicians scrupulously, paying them the royalties and fees they were owed. So it's only fair that, if you like this song, you purchase the entire record. Because, 35 years later, the companies' cut has long been paid off, and every penny goes straight to the artist.
Cut throat white managers, producers, and agents, and owners
And on and on and on
We used to having white people try to rob us
Ain't no new thing
- Gil Scott-Heron
Sorry, angry political tangent. This is awesome, happy music. There's a catch: I can only host it for a month. If you haven't checked it out by June 11, email me at victor.serge@gmail.com, and I'll send you a copy.
