On the contribution of black people's music
31 August 2014
PETER KRANZ
I know this looks like a ridiculous generalisation. And I only use the term 'black people' to provide a distinction with the music of 'white people'.
I mean the whities have Monteverdi, Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. And the rest.
What do black people have?
Well they have also have music which goes back thousands of years, in Papua New Guinea no less than elsewhere.
As Mana taught me with her Kuman singing (God nina unagle dingra wo wei. Naya sugl mola wo wei).
Then there is American Gospel.
Now if you want to trace the roots of American black music you have to go back to Africa.
And the subsequent history of slavery, religious belief and blues and the amazing influence this has had on the music we listen to today.
What led to this = well, I’ve just discovered a treasure.
I inherited over 100 CDs from my father (who was a Pastor, composer and choir conductor), and who is now in a nursing home.
Among them I found an amazing couple of CDs of African-American Community gospel music from the Smithsonian Folkways Collection. A classic which is not freely available.
Do you know how many popular singers owe their musical education to American gospel? The divine Arethra Franklin, Whitney Housten, James Brown, the Jacksons, Beatles, Rolling Stones and many more. See here and here.
It's fair to say that modern American and black music would not exist without the influence of Gospel. Not to say I don't recognise the emotional blackmail and influence of church music on pulling heartstrings to the denial of reason.
But music is greater than this. It is the power to express emotional in the face of oppression, discrimination and violence.
The truth is clear. Despite today’s rash of rap and hip-hop and pseudo-black music, the roots of much of what we listen to and enjoy lie in Gospel church choirs.
And it’s capable of giving us much more in the future.
Black people's music has greatly shaped many music genres worldwide.
From the soulful sounds of blues and jazz to the powerful beats of hip hop and rap, their contributions have been immense.
Artists like Louis Armstrong, Aretha Franklin, and Tupac Shakur have not only entertained but also voiced social issues and struggles.
Their music has brought people together, inspired change, and influenced countless musicians.
The rhythms, stories, and innovations from black musicians have left a lasting impact on history and culture.
music
Posted by: Clinton Remine | 08 July 2024 at 11:23 PM
There are few building which hark back to the 1890s or earlier in this area. The old Cooranbong post office and catholic church, Bethel Hall and the old Chapel at Avondale College, and the old Dora Creek SDA church - slated for destruction.
Better get my camera out before they all disappear.
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 01 September 2014 at 04:06 PM
David - good luck with your demo tracks. I was in a gospel quartet when a teenager and we were asked to sing at the Dora Creek SDA church - our first gig. I drove past it yesterday (it's been unoccupied for years) and the old building is about to be torn down for a new development. Sad. But the music lives on.
These blokes were our inspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT3Ly_-o28k
PS. And one of our quartet's members was Bill Dihm. Some in PNG might know of him.
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 01 September 2014 at 02:56 PM
Thank you Peter!
It is very true for you to say Gospel music was where some of world's greatest artists found their inspiration.
I had a fair taste of that at a very young age probably thirteen when I first joined a group of youth to play in a packed Sunday mass.
I didn't realize until just recently that the congregation was my first real audience.
Apart from short stories and poetry I still write songs and have produced two tracks which I hope to toss at a good producer as demo.
Posted by: David Kasei Wapar | 01 September 2014 at 01:28 PM
Try this - from Elmer Gantry, Canaan's Land. It'll have you glorying in the Lord.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMXR2wBcLIM
Watch the whole film. It will tell you more than you might want to know about the gospel movement, particularly about Aimee Semple McPherson, who founded the Four Square Gospel churches.
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 31 August 2014 at 06:26 AM