Cultural Undivide

You listen to music all the time, but did you ever ask yourself, “what IS music”.

At Last, Etta James found love worth singing about, and Beyonce let her walls go tumbling down when she learned to trust a man again.

Bob Marley singing his words of freedom, and asking us to see the light by singing “open your eyes, and look within, are you satisfied with the life your livin”. And I’m thankful he had children, to continue his legacy.

Music relates to everybody, doesn’t see culture or religions. Matisyahu, a Hasidic Jew learned to spread his words using reggae as well, and he can beat box like the best of ’em.

Janis Joplin

It also amazes me how so many different genres can be moved by the same song. For instance, Summertime by Gershwin, composed in 1933, took part in the lives of such artists as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Bing Crosby, Miles Davis, The Doors, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Peter Gabriel, Dizzy, Billy Holiday, Janis Joplin, Paul McCartney, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, and Sublime.

They understood, that sometimes, to become great, you have to appreciate many. Not only must your portfolio be diversified, but also your taste for the different type of artists that paved the way to our future. Understand the roots, and be open minded to other cultures, because there is always something we can learn, and the best way to expand one selves abilities is through experience.

Music is powerful…it can cross any oceans in the greatest of storms, climb any mountains, move through the wildest of jungles. There isn’t any place music can’t go. It makes the segmented world, unite; penetrating the cultural divide.

Cesaria Evora sang a song called “sodade”, which is a Portuguese word there is no English translation for, but it means the deep yearning one feels when they miss their home. I may not know the language, but I still feel her pain. The first non-French song to hit #1 in France.

Speaking of France, In Paris, Edith Piaf, a cabaret singer, had one of the most challenging of lives, always struggling and fighting, but near the end of her life, she sang the song that helped her let go of her tumultuous past, “Non, je ne Regrette Rien”, she had no regrets in her life, her memories lit the fires, but now she doesn’t need her pain anymore, its all swept away and forgotten.

“Ne Me Quitte Pas” was a song Nina Simone sang, because she was inspired by Edith’s original version. Nina could relate to the cries of loves misunderstandings, and the struggles of a conflicted relationship, and begging her lover not to leave her. This song was sang in African, Arabic, Czech, Dutch, English, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and even Yiddish. In music, there are no borders, and everyone speaks the same language.

La Caita - Gypsy Flamenco

When different cultures emulsify, it creates music so full of flavor. The Arab Moors moved to Spain and created Gypsy Flamenco, full of powerful singing, and intense dancing using movements from around the world. Brazil mix Latin, European and island flavors to create their hearty beats I can’t help to swing my hips to.

No matter where your at in life, whether times are good or bad, there is always a song that relates to your current state of mind, a friend, when no one else will listen, or when you feel lonely. Music will always be there, it will never turn its back on you, or look at you funny when it doesn’t understand you. You can count on music to be your wings when you are falling, or laugh with you when you are happy.

Music transpires, transcends, transforms and inspires. That’s what music is…its’ magic.