Week 6

Familiar Music

Artist: Jeru The Damaja
Song Title: History 101
Run Time: 4:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOKZtwus3rw

Artist: The Doors
Song Title: Light My Fire
Run Time: 7:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deB_u-to-IE

Artist: The Doors
Song Title: Roadhouse Blues 4:08
Run Time: 4:08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pEMd1SdkAE

Artist: The Doors
Song Title: The End
Run Time: 11:47
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4

For my sixth entry into the listening journal I chose to write about "Roadhouse Blues" which was written and performed by The Doors.  I think this track is very special in its own unique way because it combines two totally different genres of music.  The song mixes elements of both blues and classical rock which during that time period was a very rare thing to do and implement in music.  I think by combining these two vastly different styles made them blend so well together.  To put it in math terms, two negatives make a positive, I feel like that's what they were aiming for when they were producing this song.   I think it is important to mention that this song actually required more musicians than The Doors typically used.  The Doors consisted of a vocal singer, a drummer, and a keyboardist.  However, this song uses heavy uses of the harmonica and even required a bass player.  The bass was huge because up until then The Doors never used a bass player in a majority of their songs because Robby Krieger, guitarist, was their sound when it came to stringed instruments.  I also think this song exemplifies the music for that time period.  By combining all these instruments and different elements and creating something totally new and fresh which seemed to be the trend during that time period.  One thing I found particularly fascinating about this song is how the harmonica player almost sort of synchronizes his playing to that of the lead vocals, Jim Morrison.  The accompanying harmonica to Jim's lyrics and antics adds more character to the song. Around 1;35 one can hear Jim calling for Robbie to do his own thing on the guitar.  This almost makes it seem like it seem like Robbie's brief instrumental was improv, but I do not feel like that was the case.

Unfamiliar Music

Artist: Gustavo Dudamel
Song Title: Danzon No. 2 (Arturo Marquez)
Run Time: 9:42
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA7vEIj6Lzk

Artist: Maurice Ravel
Song Title: Bolero
Run Time: 17:22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KgpEru9lhw&index=44&list=PLVXq77mXV53_3HqhCLGv4mz3oVGYd2Aup

For my sixth week unfamiliar music I chose to type in "Classical Music for Studying" on youtube and this was on the 2nd page. The piece was made by Maurice Ravel and is called "Bolero". It begins with light taps on the drums while what seems to be the flute introduces the broad audience to a clarinet and harp.  It seemed like a variety of different instruments have their opportunity to shine while the percussionist continues to lightly tap on their set of drums.  While the harp was playing a majority of the song there is very little use of stringed instruments until about the six minute mark.  This is where I started to recognize the use of more stringed instruments.  Also around the six and half minute mark is where my favorite instrument from the brass family is used, the saxophone.  I thought the saxophone player did an exquisite job, and I would not be opposed to hearing more of what was being played.  I felt like this whole orchestra was basically performing one very large crescendo for the entirety of the song.  It gradually became louder using more and more instruments as the song progressed.  The stringed families presence was hard to narrow down too without watching the video because I found it difficult to hear a majority of the stringed instruments until the later parts of this piece.  I felt the ending was very well done because the light taps on the drums were now full on beats that were very appropriate for that ending.  Overall I liked this piece for its gradually increasing tempo and sound.