Comments for ThisWorldMusic http://thisworldmusic.com Global Education Through the Arts Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:44:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Ghana in The News: New King of Otuam Is American — And a Woman? by mintsiful http://thisworldmusic.com/2010/11/ghana-in-the-news-new-king-of-otuam-is-american-%e2%80%94-and-a-woman/#comment-416 mintsiful Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:44:05 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=490#comment-416 I am a Queen Mother in a town in Ekumfi Traditional Area. A divisional chief such as "King"Peggy cannot be a king. She is ohen which is a chief of a town. Only a paramount chief can be a "King" or Omanhen. Ekumfi Traditional Area has an Omanhen or King and it is not "King" Peggy. Also in the media it is claimed she established the Ekumfiman Rural Bank. The bank was established in 1984. Although she holds a position of honor and duty, let us get our facts straight about the wonderful nation of Ghana and the people of Ekumfi Traditional Area. I am a Queen Mother in a town in Ekumfi Traditional Area. A divisional chief such as “King”Peggy cannot be a king. She is ohen which is a chief of a town. Only a paramount chief can be a “King” or Omanhen. Ekumfi Traditional Area has an Omanhen or King and it is not “King” Peggy. Also in the media it is claimed she established the Ekumfiman Rural Bank. The bank was established in 1984.
Although she holds a position of honor and duty, let us get our facts straight about the wonderful nation of Ghana and the people of Ekumfi Traditional Area.

]]> Comment on Is Beyoncé the Etta James of Our Time? by jcohen http://thisworldmusic.com/2012/02/is-beyonce-the-etta-james-of-our-time/#comment-413 jcohen Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:37:20 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=2313#comment-413 Thanks for your comment, Gregg! Yeah, the only possible excuse for the Obamas not inviting Etta is that she does have a reputation for being erratic, and could have said or done something impolitic. Still a lame decision, though, if you ask me. Adele is a complicated one, but I will say this: she doesn't come close to Etta in terms of pure bluesy raunchiness. I think it's easy in the post-2 Live Crew era to forget just how transgressive Etta's down and dirty side was in her day. The things she said and did onstage that, despite her looks, made her into a sex symbol wouldn't even raise an eyebrow in today's hypersexualized culture. Thanks for your comment, Gregg! Yeah, the only possible excuse for the Obamas not inviting Etta is that she does have a reputation for being erratic, and could have said or done something impolitic. Still a lame decision, though, if you ask me.

Adele is a complicated one, but I will say this: she doesn’t come close to Etta in terms of pure bluesy raunchiness. I think it’s easy in the post-2 Live Crew era to forget just how transgressive Etta’s down and dirty side was in her day. The things she said and did onstage that, despite her looks, made her into a sex symbol wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow in today’s hypersexualized culture.

]]> Comment on Is Beyoncé the Etta James of Our Time? by greggb http://thisworldmusic.com/2012/02/is-beyonce-the-etta-james-of-our-time/#comment-412 greggb Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:58:15 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=2313#comment-412 Great post, Jeremy. Couldn't agree more that Obama missed the mark when he didn't invite Etta to belt out "At Last" at the inaugural ball. Sadly, that opportunity has passed. What are your thoughts on Adele? She hasn't tried to transform herself into a bombshell and appears to be comfortable with her looks, letting her voice stand on its own. Could she qualify as this generation's Etta James? Great post, Jeremy. Couldn’t agree more that Obama missed the mark when he didn’t invite Etta to belt out “At Last” at the inaugural ball. Sadly, that opportunity has passed.

What are your thoughts on Adele? She hasn’t tried to transform herself into a bombshell and appears to be comfortable with her looks, letting her voice stand on its own. Could she qualify as this generation’s Etta James?

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by Greg Stan http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-65 Greg Stan Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:43:35 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-65 For me, I hear nothing remarkably good or bad in the music of either. I suspect that both would be confident and somewhat interesting in an intimate live space, but no recording of either makes me believe they'd be better than young musicians I've listened to in less professional gatherings. To me they are similarly talented, and their talent is exactly what Jeremy alluded to above: they've both put in the huge amount of work to make the marketable career. Really good musical competence is very common. Generating and consistently converting opportunities with their levels of stamina and positivity is, to me, their shared (& notable) talent. For me, I hear nothing remarkably good or bad in the music of either. I suspect that both would be confident and somewhat interesting in an intimate live space, but no recording of either makes me believe they’d be better than young musicians I’ve listened to in less professional gatherings. To me they are similarly talented, and their talent is exactly what Jeremy alluded to above: they’ve both put in the huge amount of work to make the marketable career. Really good musical competence is very common. Generating and consistently converting opportunities with their levels of stamina and positivity is, to me, their shared (& notable) talent.

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by Ben http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-63 Ben Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:59:48 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-63 I'm confused about how a language can win a grammy I’m confused about how a language can win a grammy

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by Gregg http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-61 Gregg Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:07:54 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-61 I haven't listened to Esperanza, but couldn't agree more with your enlightened and fair praise of Justin. I went to his movie with Nell & Annabel on Sunday with modest expectations, but I walked out entertained and impressed, especially with his dancing and extraordinary stage presence. The kid has something special, and it isn't manufactured like a lot of previous teen sensations. Thanks for standing up for him! I haven’t listened to Esperanza, but couldn’t agree more with your enlightened and fair praise of Justin. I went to his movie with Nell & Annabel on Sunday with modest expectations, but I walked out entertained and impressed, especially with his dancing and extraordinary stage presence. The kid has something special, and it isn’t manufactured like a lot of previous teen sensations. Thanks for standing up for him!

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by shibim http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-56 shibim Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:21:51 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-56 I would have to agree with these assessments. Bieber is not the anti-christ, and Esperanza is not the saviour of music. Both have strengths and weaknesses as artists as detailed above. I would have to agree with these assessments. Bieber is not the anti-christ, and Esperanza is not the saviour of music. Both have strengths and weaknesses as artists as detailed above.

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by Neara http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-55 Neara Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:19:31 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-55 As thrilled and proud of Esperanza as I am, for our mutual alma mater (Berklee College of Music) and for the sake of anti-current-pop music, I don't think Justin has any less merit as an entertainer. The big question is, what exactly do the Grammy Awards represent—musicianship, entertainment value, or popularity? And was Esperanza voted upon for "obvious" winner status, or as a blind statement against the other nominees? Either way, rock on Esperanza Spalding and the potential for future musicians to shine without saturated commercial appeal! As thrilled and proud of Esperanza as I am, for our mutual alma mater (Berklee College of Music) and for the sake of anti-current-pop music, I don’t think Justin has any less merit as an entertainer.

The big question is, what exactly do the Grammy Awards represent—musicianship, entertainment value, or popularity? And was Esperanza voted upon for “obvious” winner status, or as a blind statement against the other nominees?

Either way, rock on Esperanza Spalding and the potential for future musicians to shine without saturated commercial appeal!

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by Elisa http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-54 Elisa Mon, 21 Feb 2011 04:01:34 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-54 Jeremy, Am I reading this right? Are you a Belieber now, too? Just kidding, kind of. Though as a marketer, I'm so intrigued by Justin Bieber and his mass appeal -- it's not only intoxicating for teenage girls but even adults are jumping on the bandwagon. There's something there, I just haven't figured out what... Great post! Elisa Jeremy,

Am I reading this right? Are you a Belieber now, too? Just kidding, kind of. Though as a marketer, I’m so intrigued by Justin Bieber and his mass appeal — it’s not only intoxicating for teenage girls but even adults are jumping on the bandwagon. There’s something there, I just haven’t figured out what…

Great post!

Elisa

]]> Comment on The False Dichotomy of Justin Bieber and Esperanza Spalding by Lisa Marie http://thisworldmusic.com/2011/02/the-false-dichotomy-of-justin-bieber-and-esperanza-spalding/#comment-53 Lisa Marie Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:57:05 +0000 http://thisworldmusic.com/?p=1207#comment-53 a better example-- as this one is not a cover (sorry--I didn't realize it) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTp7eJK12bI&feature=related same story, beautiful textures, great groove, exciting movement throughout the song. It's not about the lyrics!! a better example– as this one is not a cover (sorry–I didn’t realize it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTp7eJK12bI&feature=related

same story, beautiful textures, great groove, exciting movement throughout the song.

It’s not about the lyrics!!

]]>