Listening Journal # 5

For listening journal # 5 I had the opportunity to listen to music selections that were popular during the early 60's and into the mid to late 60's. I personally enjoy music from the 60's because overall instrumental sound that went along with the lyrics. I have always wondered why the music in the 60's had such powerful lyrics and emotion. I often asked my parents about the life and times of the 60's. As I have found out through the readings in chapter 9, many of the songs that were created in the 60's were full of emotion due to the cultural events during that time period. Music of the 60's consisted of political events, racial frustration, war and even happiness.

During the 60's, rock and roll as well as r&b quickly emerged as popular music in America. However, the "British Invasion" took America by storm. Not by war but through the popularity of their music. A group called the Beatles topped the charts by having and maintaining # 1 records in America. "Please Please Me" was one of the Beatles first hits in the UK however was also one of the most unsuccessful songs to be released in America. The song consists of energetic vocals as well as excellent instrumental attributes. The form of this particular song is in a typical AABA. Until my further readings in chapter 9, I never realized how much emphasis that the Beatles put on pronouncing words and phrases that assisted in making the words rhyme. For example, as described in the textbook, "complainin" is intended to rhyme with "rain-in".

The Beach Boys also emerged as a group that were famous for popular music in America. The textbook describes the music of Beach Boys as "surf music" which became popular in California. 'Good Vibrations" was a successful released song by the Beach Boys in 1966. Although this was music from the 60's it has a feel good sensation to it. Just like the Beatles hit "Please Please Me", "Good Vibrations also had great lyrics to go along with great instrumentation. However, the sound of the vocals were a bit different than other music. The high pitched vocals help to make a distinct sound that the Beach Boys became famous for. The lyrics of the song gives a description of a woman that gives them happiness.

Music of Motown was also a huge success in the 1960's. Rhythm and blues became a popular genre of music as well as assisting with the crossover and interrelations of other music genres. We have learned through our readings that r7b as well as rock and roll definitely had culture influences. The textbook describes r&b music as "soul music". Through current and previous listening activities, I feel that r&b is mixed with blues as well as jazz and pop. "Papa's Got a brand New Bag" is a classic song that contains rhythm as well as blues. The sound of James Brown's vocals provides listeners with emotion and soulfulness. The rhythm of the band accompanies the soulful lyrics of James Brown's vocals. As we all know and have seen; the stage presence of James Brown is like non other . In the music performance world we call that "showmanship"