When I first listened to this song, I felt that it was a song of majestic significance. The sound of “Aint no mountain high enough” made me feel happy as a listener, its uptempo beat and pleasing rhythm allowed me to feel a sense of hope. After researching this song in depth, and diving into its historical context, I have not changed my reaction to the song. Seen as one of the most powerful and beautiful musical compositions of our generation, the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duet encompasses numerous western originating genres, such as soul, pop and rhythm and blues (R&B). This songs instrumentation includes bells, the tambourine, the snare and the bass guitar. The snare and the tambourine are the principal features that promote a controlled and consistent rhythm …show more content…
This recording is a classic and inspiring example of the sweetness of pop, the passionate vigor of soul, and the groovy feel of R&B. There are many compositional techniques used to convey message in this song. First there is the bass guitar, which provides the melody throughout the song. It begins with a low pitch, and gradually increases until a climactic rise in the mood of the song during the chorus. This could be a representation of being at the lowest point in life, only to rise from the ashes. The high frequency tambourine play through out the mix and give a mellow, relaxed feel to the song prior to the buildups, once again possibly conveying the message of calm during tense circumstances. The most important compositional technique however was the powerful duet. Terrell complements Gaye’s gospel grit throughout the verses, possessing a striking alto tone, with Gaye pulling back to let her powerful voice soar over his during the commanding chorus. This gives off the notion of togetherness, compatibility and makes listeners feel a yearning to love. Now it is important to understand the background in which this particular piece was composed and how this makes it a message-conveying
With a honeyed Sam Cooke worthy croon and a slicked style reminiscent of the Dapper Rebels, Leon Bridges is in all aspects a rarity. Less than two years ago, 25 year old Leon Bridges was washing dishes in a Texas restaurant. However in just over a year, following numerous gigs in coffee shops and a fortuitous chance meeting with White Denims Austin Jenkins, 40 record labels would show an interest in his soulful reversion to the past.
Daniel Decatur Emmett was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio in the fall of 1815. Emmett was a composer who worked as a drummer in a traveling circus, then a minstrel troupe after being discharged from the Army because he falsified his age to enlist. Emmett wrote many of what are now considered to be Confederate anthems, “…much to the chagrin of Emmett who was anything but a Southern sympathizer…” Emmett wrote these songs as walk-arounds, a dance number that was performed at the end of a show that featured the entire company of musicians in the minstrel troupe.
Ella Fitzgerald and Ethel Merman are both prominent singers who take Cole Porter’s song and interpret it into their own. Though each rendition is distinctive to their own style, they are similar in the way that the instruments accompany their voices throughout the song. In Ella’s version, the instruments in the background create a melody that support Ella’s voice even though it is improvised. Though the instruments in Ethel’s version is more orchestrated the rhythm and melody are never unchanging in order to maintain the musical tone she has created.
The blend of African American vernacular music traditions provides the opportunity for a physical consummation and spiritual attachment that allows people to see the gods in
The drums were typically used to lead troops into battle. The drum corps became
Throughout the short story “The Man Who Saw The Flood” the narrator follows the journey of a man, Tom, and his family caught in the cycle of sharecropping. Recently suffering severe weather conditions, the family comes back to find that the majority of their things are ruined. For most this is a catastrophic situation, however, for Tom and his family they search for anything that can be salvaged and remain positive. While the family is facing catastrophic situations, they continually follow the theme of persevering through any circumstances. The same theme of persevering through any circumstances is also prevalent in Marvin Gaye’s, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Over the spring break, I enjoyed perusing through my collection of Yazoo Records reissues and spent considerable time with a seven-disc boxset entitled, Kentucky Mountain Music: Classic Recordings of the 1920s and 1930s. In the liner notes, Richard Nevins commented on a few sides recorded by Taylor’s Kentucky Boys at Gennett Records in 1927. In addition to some fine musicianship by the players, what made this group different was its interracial lineup of guitarist, Willie Young, banjoist, Marion Underwood, and African-American fiddler, Jim Booker. Nevins lamented that, historically, the racial make-up of the group was the most remarkable attribute of their recordings and not the fine playing on the few sides released by Gennett. He states, “It’s hard to understand why anyone would have the perverse impulse to place fiddlers into categories of black and white.
The chorus repeats, then a new verse begins: “You are calm and reposed / Let your beauty unfold / Pale white, like the skin stretched over your bones.” He is observing the facade she seems to put up, composed and distinguished, but is also pointing out that she’s mortified of the thought of letting the relationship
Although this song may sound like a joyous song from the title, it doesn’t have that upbeat that is expected. Although this song is not entirely sad and depressing, it has a similar tune to that of a hopeful or optimistic song. There are many peculiar chords that bring a sound different to that of a normal optimistic song. Be prepared to start performing this extraordinary piece!
The frame drum is basically a handheld percussion instrument that is held and played with the hands. It is usually made from wood and is more hollow than it is wide with a somewhat curved opening on the edge of the instrument for the player to allow their hand to rest. When played, simply by striking the instrument with the hand in any particular fashion before learning the proper way to hold it, I noticed that the Bendir produced a seemingly thick and deep tone with some resonance due to the snares that were located on the hollow side. I found it very interesting that there were actually many different stroke types that would produce different sounds; these being the Dum, Tek, Pah, and the many different forms for fast fingers. The Dum stroke involved the ring finger striking the center of the frame drum and it produced a lower pitched sound.
At first, the song is very slow and quite but as it continues, it builds up very loudly and more lyrics are added. Midway through the song, a piano solo from Mary Lou Williams begins giving the song more rhythm. After, the lyrics become louder and more constant. I believe the song, being a sacred song, was meant to sooth the audience and inspire happiness in the readers. I am able to visualize a church or ceremonial setting as I listen, and almost feel the song reflects a prayer.
Such as funding in our educational system and the importance of extracurricular activities. Even though this song was written more than ten years ago, it still remains pertinent. The artist mentions issues we face on a daily basis, “Same-sex marriage in a state where they don 't care. Murder is wrong but the jail time 's not fair. Not to mention date rape, felony, and car theft.
This song had been revised by a lot of singers but how Sixpence None the Richer sang it is the best. Music is played by a full band but the loudness is kept as it minimal which makes it sound good also if played by a sole acoustic guitar. This is a love song telling about beautiful places where you can be kissed magically by the one in your
From beginning to end, I am captivated by the music. Each element brings a unique character to the overall piece. The music takes the listener on a suspenseful journey. The arrangement of the song gives me a visual of someone stumbling upon a dark forest and begins to hear the fast-approaching movement of something behind them. The pairing of several melodic phrases throughout the composition adds to the sense of chaos and turbulence.
There is a break from the cynicism that Sondheim usually expresses, and a kind of tender, simple sentiment that is rare in Sondheim. The music is not particularly uplifting, but it does provide a moment of respite from the draining emotions of the musical, thus far. The music and lyrics complement one another perfectly as the lyrics are as simple as the melody, and they reflect the main character in their references to Impressionism and Pointillism, and work for the rest of the characters as integral parts of his work. The subdued nature of the performers truly mirrors the placidity of the lyrics, and they are able to perfectly deliver both the music and lyrics in a superbly moving