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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Music Genres - Semi OT
Music Genres - Semi OT
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Honkin On Bobo
1314 posts
May 07, 2015
5:54 AM
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I just finished watching No Direction Home the Scorsese documentary on Bob Dylan (which I highy recommend even if you're not a Dylan fan per se). The second half of the documentary covers at length Bob's transformation from folk hero to electric rock and roller. Both terms Dylan abhorred as he hated being labeled. The treament he received at the hands of the folk loving crowd was detestable. That segment was absolutuely fascinating.
I see parallels between that and the recurring theme on the forum here, as to what constitutes modern blues and traditional blues, and though not as prevalent, the discussions here from time to time as to blues vs. modern music (rap, hip hop, techno, pop etc.). There's one point in the documentary where Maria Muldaur said that the keepers of the folkie flame were arguing amongst themselves backstage about what to do when Dylan plugged in at the Newport Folk Festival. Pete Seeger famously, or infamously depending upon your point of view, wanted to cut the power cables. But there was one folkie (I forget who) that said this is the way the young people are going and we've got to adapt (I'm paraphrasing here).
Anyway, the whole thing made me think of the discussions on here with Kudzu urging people to step up and moves the blues forward, and predictably getting push back from keepers of the traditional blues flame (of which i am one). The analogy isn't perfect of couse, as I would argue that Dylan plugged in certainly wasn't considered Modern Folk Music at the time. But the sentiment, Dylan being called traitor, judas being booed etc., made me more aware of my own hypocracies. I'm a keeper of the tradioitonal blues flame, and yet applaud Dylan going electric over the protests of the folk crowd. I imagine all the great music we'd have missed if Dylan had allowed himself to be pidgeon holed as a folk singer.
I've got no final words of wisdom on this subject. I'm not even sure why I'm posting this or whether anybody will find it remotely interesting. I guess my takeaway is that the old music/new music thing is just eternal. I am not suggesting that I now suddenly like the new stuff, rap beat boxing etc., just that I want to make a concerted effort to just roll with it whenever that topic comes up, reminding myself not to be like the folkies of that era.
Edited to add this forum service announcement: If you pointedly don't like Dylans harp playing style, definitely DO NOT WATCH this documentary, your head will explode.
Last Edited by Honkin On Bobo on May 07, 2015 5:58 AM
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Danny Starwars
141 posts
May 07, 2015
5:58 AM
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I see it like people who collect art, stamps, coins - whatever. They collect older stuff and newer stuff. Even when they find newer stuff that they really want for their collection, they will still own and cherish 'classic' pieces.
In the future, even the best 'modern' Blues players I think will be expected to be able to revisit the more traditional styles, in order to be well-rounded.
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My YouTube Channel - Any Likes or Comments appreciated. :)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ2_8CnjaiNLcPke4gWQ65A
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The Iceman
2420 posts
May 07, 2015
6:13 AM
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The Public will box in a creative performer, choosing which style they like from them and then resist any changes in his approach.
Miles Davis experienced the same when he started to go electric.
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The Iceman
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marine1896
120 posts
May 07, 2015
9:53 AM
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Look forward to watching that, not really a fan of Dylan as a performer but definitely a fan of Scorsese and any music documentary.
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