Welcome to the Kosology Kulture Music experiment. I thought it would be interesting if we progressives have other interest or tastes in common.
I love music for its ability to take me somewhere different, especially when I am stressed, and need to unwind, kick out the jams, so to speak. It also can be uplifting when I am down, more recently, when it is time to pay the bills. We all know the `celebratory' aspect of music commonly associated with concerts or parties, but I would also be interested in hearing about any and all aspects of how and what music is to you and how it fits into your life. Lately I noticed I have felt the need to use music as an inspirational force, to help lift me when life gets too serious.
What I would like and need is your participation. Do progressives listen to progressive music? Do freepers write diaries extolling the virtues of Ronald Reagans acting talnts?(O/T)
Think; are there any right wing folk singers? If not, why not? What is in your CD player now, and why do you like it? Am I right brain dominant, and enjoy the arts more, because my politics are left wing or is it all connected (or not connected at all)? Do lefties love country music? This past Valentines, if you got the chance to spend it with that special other, was their a connection or a memory of music? When `in the mood' do you light candles and turn on the stereo, some Barry White, perhaps?
Recently, I heard on World Café an interview with Mavis Staple, of The Staple Singers involvement in the civil rights movement of the early `60's, and how Martin Luther King would make requests of the band, sometimes during a speech in church. I mention this because it is an example (doh!) of what I am trying to find out in this Kos Kulture experiment.
In case you missed it, before the elections last year, Steve Earle released a very political and critically acclaimed album, The Revolution Start Now! Of particular interest is `Just another poor boy off to fight a rich mans war' from the perspectives of a US, British, and Islamic participant. Steve Earle has been very active in helping to fight the death penalty, and freely talks about his recovery from heroin addiction. As a wharf rat, the latter is also inspirational to me.
I cannot listen to commercial radio anymore, as I am lucky to live in an area that has an awesome listener supported, commercial free radio station at the end of the FM dial. WXPN from the University of Pennsylvania, plays an eclectic mix of rock, folk, reggae, blues, worldbeat, etc. Some days, when I was driving truck for a living, it was my only link to sanity. (I need to hear other voices; sometimes the ones in my head are not healthy). You can listen to their webcast, I recommend Funky Fridays from Philly @ 5:00 pm EST or the Blues Show on Saturday nights @ 7 EST.
Lately I have been listening to blues. It seems to be a good fit for me, given my frustration with the current political environment. I never realized the almost pre-psychedelic edge to the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. That has been alternating in my CD player with Howlin' Wolf, (300 lbs of Heavenly Joy, and Backdoor Man, enuff said!)
My favorite band, in concert was The Clash. I saw the `Combat Rock tour' @ Univ. of Penn. way back. Burning Spear opened for them and was assaulted in the typical punk fashion of the day; that really annoyed me. The columns of speakers (yea, it was LOUD) were draped in camouflage netting that added a revolutionary ambiance to the show. Thinking about it I can hear `Daddy was a bank robber' dub echo . . . I miss Joe Strummer
So give it to me Kossacks. Please share with me what helps you make it through another day in these Red/Blue United States. EuroKos too! Hell, don't forget WorldKos . . .
I need your help with this experiment, please post and recomend.