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Old School Vs. New School: A Change Has Come in Music
^NorthernStar*
Northernstar@excapethematrix.com
R&B (short for Rhythm & Blues) is a popular music genre that unites Jazz, Gospel, Funk, Rock & Roll, and the Blues together. The genre was once entitled "race music" because it was mostly sung by Blacks. In 1947, Billboard Chart music journalist, Jerry Wexler, who became a music producer for Atlantic records, edited the chart using R&B as the title and audiences loved the name. Wexler described different types of musical formats rolled into one, and originated the term, Rhythm and Blues (R&B).
Rhythm & Blues is the most expressive and deepest genre (emotionally and vocally). It allows the artists and listeners to reach different grounds with its honesty and soulfulness. Blues is one of the biggest influences on R&B because Blues holds a big responsibility in expressing "true emotions". The singer expresses the feelings of the blues, using distinctive vocal techniques & tricks to accompany the moods of happiness, sadness, or even love. The genre was made famous by Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Billie Holliday, John Lee Hooker and many other greats. During the 1950s, the rhythm & blues crossed-over between jazz and rock & roll. Instrumentals and musical elements came out of New Orleans, and were made popular by New Orleans native Professor Longhair. Other artists such as The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, and many more made the Louisiana sound popular.
Old School
Most people say there’s nothing like the music back in the day, especially the music in the late 60s, early 70s. Yes, it is true. The only attributes a singer would need are their band, back-up singers, and most importantly, their microphone. Being a fan of live instruments, they had it all; guitars, bass, saxophones, drum kits, and keyboards. In the 80s, the R&B sound changed, but some influences were still recycled and used by different artists.
During that time, elements of soul singer James Brown was tailored
among the likes of Michael Jackson and sexually-charged performer Prince
mixing funk & soul together at its best. Prince is an artist known for
his funky style and falsetto voice, but he is also known to play almost
every single drum that exists. Prince is a genius and during the 80s, he
had his own female band. Speaking of geniuses, Whitney Houston is
another. Who remembers seeing her sing the "Star Spangled Banner" at the
Super Bowl? I may have been very young at the time, but I knew real
singing when I saw it and that voice soared across the room like no
other. Whitney’s rich-texture is one of the best, if not, the best. But
she looked up to a lot of singers while she grew up, and one of those
people included her cousin, Dionne Warwick, who is another great talent.
I grew up listening to Dionne because my uncle would blast her music and
there was no way of escaping it. Some of the various artists I listened
to were Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Phyllis Hyman, Patti Labelle,
Diana Ross, Donny Hathaway, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone,
and my favorite, The Isley Brothers.
The music in the past dealt with situations I could connect with. I
would just be in a daze watching the entertainment Michael and Janet
Jackson provided on-screen or hearing Mariah hit those whistle notes
without a problem, and even watching Stevie play the piano and sing his
butt off at the same time. The genius of seeing Patti kick off her shoes
and roll on the ground, or seeing Tina dance and SANG "Proud Mary", and
even the harmonies of Boys II Men. I miss those days of being surprised
by what the artist was going to do next. I miss those old grooves that
many used to jam to or simply just fall in love with. I don’t know
what it is that made these legends feel so powerful, but NONE of them
can be touched.