The reading and listening examples from chapters nine
and ten demonstrates American pop, country, soul, urban folk, and rock in the
1960’s. In previous chapters there had been far fewer categories. It could be
speculated that the increase in genres (or sub genres) could have been possible due
to increased technology. For example, new amplified instruments, or more
sophisticated recording equipment (4 track), or the increase in available media
to hear and see new music. During this time there was also an increase in
topics that inspired new music (wars, civil rights). Regardless of the reason,
the decade produced some powerful and influential music for the American
popular music scrapbook.
Phil Spector is noted as an iconic songwriter and
producer. There is no question that he succeeded in developing a characteristic
sound, referred to as “the wall of sound”, that changed the music industry in
the 1960’s. Starr and Waterman (2014, page 289) refer to “Spector’s level of
involvement and obsession with detail” as “legendary.” In no way do I intend to
take away from the products of musical genius that this man provided for
American music, however, I think his “obsession” should be elaborated within
the text. We most recently know Spector in the media for the trial and sentence
of the death of a girlfriend in 2003. As noted by ex-wife Ronnie Spector, lead
singer of The Ronettes, Phil had bipolar traits as far back as the late 1960’s
as he kept a glass coffin in their home as a warning for her to stay with him
or die (“Ronnie Spector Biography”). This should not take away from his musical creativity,
although I feel that it should be mentioned in the text like all other “negative”
aspects of the music industry (“Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll”).
Bob Dylan’s influence during this time period seems to
be unparalleled. His push to take urban folk music to rock folk music with the
addition of amplified electric guitars was a bold and even (at the beginning)
unwanted move. Breaking even more musical modes, his six minute long recording
of “Like a Rolling Stone” paved the way for other groups (The Beatles’ “Hey
Jude”) to make long musical masterpieces. The list of artist that claim to be
influenced by Dylan throughout the chapter is lengthy: The Beatles, Credence
Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton. Just recently, Rolling Stone Magazine released an article announcing the discovery of unplugged, raw recordings of
The Beach Boys doing covers of various artists, including Dylan.
The Beatles are also covered on these newly found
Beach Boys’ recordings.
It is interesting to see how these different groups
(of at least slightly different genres) learned from and appreciated each
other’s’ music. I know this still happens to some degree in modern day music,
but covers seem to happen more so to tribute past musical works rather than
present day works.
Ronnie Spector Biography. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 21, 2015, from
http://www.biography.com/people/ronnie-spector-17172228#trouble-with-phil-spector
Starr, L., &
Waterman, C. (2014). American popular music: From minstrelsy to MP3 (4th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
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