Cultural Outsider Playlist (Comparative Analysis)

This blog will focus on a mixture of Carribean Music that ventures from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic to Calypso music and more. Although the last one isn't a Carribean music, its soul music, I just felt it fit the tune, and I had to get it off my mind.

First up, we have Bob Marley & The Wailers singing 'The Redemption Song'. Robert Nesta Marley (1945-1981) formerly known as 'Bob Marley' was a Jamaican singer, songwriter and guitarist and known for his reggae, ska, and rocksteady music. Reggae became a popular genre of music because of Bob Marley. He was a Rastafarian and started his music career in 1963 by forming a group called the Wailers. The Wailers consisted of Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, Bunny Livingston, Bob Marley, Peter McIntosh, and Cherry Smith. Before he died, they went on to create popular hit songs like 'Buffalo Soldier', 'Get Up, Stand Up', 'War' and many more. This type of music made people sing along to it even though they might not understand what he said whether they were American, Bahamian or from anywhere over the word, he made a major impact to the world. Now, we will switch from reggae music to fast dancing merengue music. This is a more powerful, uplifting song compared to Juan Luiz's playful, upbringing song.

If Bob Marley was still alive, I would ask him these questions:

1.  How would you describe the role of music in healing and uniting people today?
2. How do you think reggae music has evolved throughout the years?

Now, we have our merengue music with Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 singing La Bilirrubina. Juan Luiz Guerra (1957- present) was born in the Dominican Republic, and he is musician, singer, composer and music producer. Recently, he received a Grammy award for one of his newest songs 'Radio Guira'. He fuses merengue, Latin, bachata, hip hop, pop, rock and roll and other numerous genres of music together. He graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 1982. Although, we don't understand the words he is saying, we can still dance along to the beat of the music. Some instruments used in this song are the Tambora, trumpet, saxophone and accordion. This song is more fast paced and bright compared to the Redemption song by Bob Marley. 

I would ask him a few questions:

1. How would you see merengue evolving in the future?
2. How would you broadcast merengue and more Dominican music and artist for the world to see and hear because we don't really know much about Dominican music?

Next, we have calypso music from Harry Belafonte singing the classic 'Day-O (Banana Boat Song). This song is one of Harry Belafonte greatest hits. Harry Belafonte (1927-2023) was an American singer, actor and civils right activist. The instruments that are in this song are traditional calypso instruments like the congas, bongos, guitar and maracas. Listening to the iconic 'Day-O' makes me feel a certain way because that means it's time to sing and dance along to the music. Every Caribbean person knows this song whether it's from the radio or just a random song you heard before and want to know what the song is. 'Day-O' creates a song of fatigue and wants to finally go home or finally have freedom given to them. 

If he was still alive, I would ask him these questions:

1. How do you think calypso music, with its roots in storytelling can help bridge cultural understanding between the Carribean and the world?
2. What is it about calypso music that inspired you to create this song?

After listening to calypso, will transfer to soca music with the song 'Hot, Hot, Hot' by Arrow. Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell (1949-2010) otherwise known as, 'Arrow' was a Montserratian soca and calypso musician with his hot song 'Hot, Hot, Hot'. This song is a classic and can be listened at any family gatherings, events, parties, on the radio and even weddings. The instruments in the music video are steel drums, bongos, shakers. guitar, bass and saxophones. This song shows a tune of celebration, fun and a carnival feel to it. It's a very catchy song and it makes you want to sing and dance along to it.

If Arrow was still alive, I would ask him these questions:

1. How do you see your music as a reflection of the cultural and social importance of carnival celebration in the Carribean?
2. How do you think this type of music can bridge cultural divides?

Last but not least, we have 'Georgia on my mind', by Ray Charles. Ray Charles (1930-2004) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. He became blind at the age of 7 after witnessing his brother drowning. He became known as the 'Father of Soul' while Aretha Franklin was 'The Queen of Soul'. He blended gospel, jazz, blues and country which was how soul music was created today. Also, he created 'Hit the Road, Jack'. The song is soulful and with a ballad tempo with a 50s -60s feel to it. The instruments included in the song was the iconic piano, saxophone, bass, and drums. There is a movie about Ray Charles called 'Ray' with Jamie Foxx played as him, that shows how he saw his brother drowned, how he lost his sight and how he became one of the best artists to create Soul music.

If Ray Charles was still alive, I would ask him these questions:

1. What was your though process in merging these different genres of music together into a song that feels timeless?
2. How do you feel music can serve as a form of personal expression and help listeners to connect to their emotions?

Bibliography

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-wailers-mn0000923432

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Luis_Guerra 09iujk

https://youtu.be/OkGgdIBX1to?si=6bDFtNciX-mlA9W1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Belafonte

https://youtu.be/fRgWBN8yt_E?si=-YtUBEjmOahacDGe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_(musician)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Charles