Cool Stuff #3

This video is of violinist Yehudi Menuhin interviewing and playing with Ravi Shanker. Menuhin highlights some of the features of Indian music that we learned in class, and Shanker briefly explains how music is passed down by oral tradition in India, in particular the rhythm, by giving each note a sound syllable. The Tabla player gives a demonstration of this--definitely worth watching the video for. Menuhin sits on the floor to play his violin, but holds it in the tradition western way. Very impressive playing by all musicians!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4HXvB5nxok

Yodeling music in country/western music has come a long way since Jimmie Rodgers introduced it. The Western Music Association holds an annual yodeling competition. I found this clip of Carin Marie performing in this competition in 2009. I absolutely love it! It makes me want to get up and dance. I was also impressed with how well she played the guitar while yodeling, going through many key changes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72vm2XZ88-g

Next is a clip of Mahalia Jackson singing “Summertime/Motherless” child. Mahalia Jackson, one of the most influential gospel music artists, is considered the Queen of Gospel Music, and she herself was influenced by Bessie Smith. Ms. Jackson teamed up with Thomas A. Dorsey, considered the Father of Gospel Music, the gospel blues in particular. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPBVaRpNEgE

I had to include a song by Eva Cassidy, a blues singer/guitarist, who unfortunately died of cancer in 1996. In this clip she sings “Wade in the Water”, an African-American spiritual warning escaping slaves to take a water route in order to prevent dogs from catching their scent. It doesn't show her singing, but I thought the video was interesting and appropriate to the song. Eva Cassidy does some outstanding covers of other songs also, such as Sting’s “Fields of Gold (Barley)”, “Over the Rainbow” (which makes me cry), and “Blues in the Night.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTdD9BItBWk