Ur Nina

Music Appreciation

This week's music appreciation takes us 4500 years ago to Eastern Syria. 

Yes, there were music legends like Madonna and Elvis back then. 

One such music legend was Ur Nina. 

As a resident of Sumerian King Iblul-il's kingdom, she entertained his court by singing popular and religious songs and playing the lyre.

Sources: http://artres.com; Uppity Women of Ancient Times by Vicki Leon, 1995

Yoshitomo Nara

Art Appreciation

Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara is known for his neo-pop art that depicts cute vulnerable children and animals in unusual and unconventional themes.  His art is influenced by pop music, life and fantasy.

I came across this artist while visiting a local bookstore and finding a children's book he wrote and illustrated called The Lonesome Puppy.

You can follow him on his twitter account where he posts working projects: http://twitter.com/#!/michinara3.

Sources: http://asiasociety.org/arts/asia-society-museum/past-exhibitions/yoshitomo-nara-nobodys-fool; http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/arts/design/10nara.html; http://www.headwrong.com/55/; http://sites.asiasociety.org/yoshitomonara/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshitomo_Nara; http://www.stephenfriedman.com/#/artists/yoshitomo-nara/artwork; http://twitter.com/#!/michinara3

Tears for Fears-Sowing the Seeds of Love

Music Appreciation

When I was in my early teens, I remember watching this video on MTV.  I quickly absorbed the imagary and the message of Tears for Fears Sowing the Seeds of Love.  In a sense, this has had an influence in my own personal ideology--"the end to need and the politics of greed."

Source: Youtube

George Goodwin Kilburne

ART APPRECIATION

Born in 1839, George Goodwin Kilburne was known for his paintings of the rich and prestige of the 1700s and 1800s in thier luxury.

He became a sought after and well known English artist during his tenure with Brothers Dalziel.  In 1863, his works were exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

The New Spinet (1924)

Sources: Wikipedia; http://www.haynesfineart.com/artists/george-goodwin-kilburne-uk.htm

Deee Lite - Groove is in the Heart

Music Appreciation

"How do you say degroovy? How do say DEGORGEOUS!?"  You know what's next.

At one point or another, we've heard of Deee-Lite.  Whether if it was dancing on the livingroom couch or at a dance club or driving lip-syncing to the rap verse with Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, we know Groove is in the Heart.

Lady Miss Kier, Super DJ Dmitri and Tōwa Tei, Deee-Lite, gave us a sound mixed with disco, funk and hip hop and introduced us to a very groovy seventies in the nineties with Groove is in the Heart.  Using samples from Herbie Hancock, Ray Barretto, Eddie Jefferson, Billy Preston, Groove is in the Heart connected the baby boomers and the Gen-Xers together on the dance floor.

Sources: Wikipedia

Sugar Hill Gang - Rapper's Delight

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

It was August 1979 when the Sugar Hill Gang introduced hip hop to the disco scene with "Rapper's Delight," sampling Chic's Good Times as its instrumental background sound.

What was I doing when this video came out?  I was about three years old.  I actually don't remember watching this music video until I was already in middle school.  By that time I was into other hip hop with rappers such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince , RUN DMC, and Kid N' Play.

Back then, I didn't understand or care when or where hip hop or rap originated. All I cared was whether others thought it was cool to listen to.  And at my school, it was pretty cool to listen to hip hop.

It was probably not until Rosie (Ellen Albertini Dow) sang it in The Wedding Singer, when I really paid attention and wondered where and when hip hop originated. 

So who started it all?  DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa are credited by most as being the pioneers of hip hop music.  Their new style of music incorporated several songs to make a new sound, rhythm and song.  Needlesstosay, their influence continues to have a role in pop culture for years to come.

Source: Wikipedia