Questions of Genre
I was on my way to church Sunday with the iPod on shuffle and came across a song I hadn’t really ever listened to before. The iPod wasn’t on a truly random shuffle, but more or less random within my predefined genre of “Gospel-Contemporary.” That genre consists of artists such as Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond as well as Darlene Zschech, Martha Munizzi, and Mary Mary, among others. The intention is, this genre represents primarily gospel music influenced by or inflected predominantly with R&B. Other principal Gospel genres on my iPod include Gospel-Classic (Shirley Caesar, Gaithers, Winans, Dorsey, Mahalia, Twinkie…), Gospel-UPC Choir, and Gospel-UPC Solo. I don’t often listen to items from my zGospel-Latin or zGospel-Popular (Phillips Craig & Dean; Michael W. Smith, MercyMe…) genres.
WHAT WAS THE SONG THAT YOU WERE LISTENING TO SUNDAY ALREADY???
I’m getting to that. Just another minute or two. I have been pondering the question of genre precisely because of that one song, and, perhaps more to the point, that artist. I think she defies categorization. I like it when things fit neatly into boxes. I must organize everything and put it where it belongs, so when it comes to the music of Kim Burrell, it causes problems in my ordered world. I guess I would call her a jazz gospel musician if I had to be pinned down, but the song that I heard on Sunday was firmly entrenched in contemporary R&B.
I generally don’t listen to a lot of R&B. Anything I hear where I can envision people sensually dancing to a VH-1 or an “old” MTV video, I tend to shrug my shoulders and say “I don’t care what the words say, that music speaks to my body more than it does my soul” and I typically don’t choose to listen very long. And yet I do believe it important to have music that speaks to every generation and every culture. I am thankful that we have such genres as heavy metal gospel and hip-hop gospel. I can’t listen to much of either, but I pray that God speaks to individuals who do like such music and encounter “Christianity” through these vehicles.
A friend of mine gave me this Kim Burrell CD "Everlasting Life" quite a few years ago. At that time I guess I listened to it once, or at least listened to the first minute or so of each track. But I never gave it a never thought. At least not until it came on my iPod on Sunday.
Her song, “It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way” speaks to a generation of people who don’t view “living together outside of marriage” or separation or divorce as harmful or deleterious. The song takes those individuals to task and promotes marriage, trust, and fidelity in a Christian context. That it does so in a strong R&B context makes it all the more poignant as a similar beat is all too often used to denigrate such things.
I was intrigued by Kim Burrell’s music and listened to portions of a couple other selections yesterday. Her song “Kim’s Request” particularly intrigued me. At One minute, nine seconds in length, it is a jazz instrumental of well-above average complexity. But I had some difficulty grasping it. It touched (even moved) me intellectually but left me void spiritually. I could sense it vaguely connected me to God (knowing its “Christian” composer/performer), but without accompanying words to ponder… I was more impressed with the artistic merit than with any spiritual sentiment. I guess I digress.
I have also been pondering the genre of blogging. Is it a journal? Diary? Journalism? Critical inquiry? I’m not sure what we are doing here. I’m not sure if anybody is reading this. I know, I know, I may get a couple replies here and there from some folks I know or folks on this list, but what kind of audience are we really reaching? What kind of audience do we want to reach?
WHAT WAS THE SONG THAT YOU WERE LISTENING TO SUNDAY ALREADY???
I’m getting to that. Just another minute or two. I have been pondering the question of genre precisely because of that one song, and, perhaps more to the point, that artist. I think she defies categorization. I like it when things fit neatly into boxes. I must organize everything and put it where it belongs, so when it comes to the music of Kim Burrell, it causes problems in my ordered world. I guess I would call her a jazz gospel musician if I had to be pinned down, but the song that I heard on Sunday was firmly entrenched in contemporary R&B.
I generally don’t listen to a lot of R&B. Anything I hear where I can envision people sensually dancing to a VH-1 or an “old” MTV video, I tend to shrug my shoulders and say “I don’t care what the words say, that music speaks to my body more than it does my soul” and I typically don’t choose to listen very long. And yet I do believe it important to have music that speaks to every generation and every culture. I am thankful that we have such genres as heavy metal gospel and hip-hop gospel. I can’t listen to much of either, but I pray that God speaks to individuals who do like such music and encounter “Christianity” through these vehicles.
A friend of mine gave me this Kim Burrell CD "Everlasting Life" quite a few years ago. At that time I guess I listened to it once, or at least listened to the first minute or so of each track. But I never gave it a never thought. At least not until it came on my iPod on Sunday.
Her song, “It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way” speaks to a generation of people who don’t view “living together outside of marriage” or separation or divorce as harmful or deleterious. The song takes those individuals to task and promotes marriage, trust, and fidelity in a Christian context. That it does so in a strong R&B context makes it all the more poignant as a similar beat is all too often used to denigrate such things.
I was intrigued by Kim Burrell’s music and listened to portions of a couple other selections yesterday. Her song “Kim’s Request” particularly intrigued me. At One minute, nine seconds in length, it is a jazz instrumental of well-above average complexity. But I had some difficulty grasping it. It touched (even moved) me intellectually but left me void spiritually. I could sense it vaguely connected me to God (knowing its “Christian” composer/performer), but without accompanying words to ponder… I was more impressed with the artistic merit than with any spiritual sentiment. I guess I digress.
I have also been pondering the genre of blogging. Is it a journal? Diary? Journalism? Critical inquiry? I’m not sure what we are doing here. I’m not sure if anybody is reading this. I know, I know, I may get a couple replies here and there from some folks I know or folks on this list, but what kind of audience are we really reaching? What kind of audience do we want to reach?
posted by everettg at
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
10 Comments:
Postscript
Thornier may be the question of Black Gospel preceding R&B. The music that I characterize in my post as being influenced by R&B has a much more complex past. It is simplistic, for example, to say that Kirk Franklin's music shows an influence of R&B when R&B has its roots in Black Gospel and other predecessors. Besides the fact that there is no one definition of R&B that is satisfactory or could adequately describe the range of musics it encompasses. Thanks for cutting me some slack when I was less than clear on defining the genres I was talking about!
I'd also like to take a quick moment to apologize for mention of a photo when there is no photo present. It seems that "Blogger" has been having some technical difficulties and I have been unable to upload a photo this time due to the system issues (not my system issues!). In the process of trying to post a version with the last paragraph lopped off, it ended up posting the version which included mention of the photo. I'll include two next time, barring additional technical difficulties.
Everett,
You can still post a photo--just wait a while until the unseen Blogspot techies finish goofing around under the hood.
I am convinced that certain forms of musical delivery stifle--or at any rate "compress" passion and/or contrasting peaks and valleys.
And when I use the term "compression" I mean it literally. Some guitarists use this effect in their playing, and even go so far as to purchase pedals that will "compress" their guitar work. What it does is this: all played phrases enter the the ear at precisesly the same volume--despite the attack--or lack thereof on the strings. Thus, the slightest, lilting brush of a chord will have the same decibel value as the pick attack to end them all.
This--in my opinion--kills expression, despite the fact that all the "values" are present.
R&B, generally, has a repetetive, circular approach that, to me, always sounds maudlin and sexually contemplative. It's never fully sad, and it never contains outrage (at least in its conveyances).
Hip-hop R&B is my favorite example. I have many opportunities on my day job to hear the music today's secular youth are listening to. The thing I find the most humorous about it is this. After an entire album of flagrant references to mindless, procreative endeavors with groupies, twenty-five references to "puttin a cap" in somebody's "dome," and lauding the alleged virtues of gaining piles of unmaked cash from crack addicts, our illustrious musical artist decides to write some contemplative, half speed rhyme in which he tries to convince his "girl" that he's really only a mortal, and that he intends to provide for their illegitimate kid between concerts and arraignments.
Yet, this emotional song is lifeless. Not just because of the implausible, narcissistic filter through which it pours, but because rap has no dynamics--it is a dynamic unto itself--an inexorable wall built from invariability and 808 kick snares that rattle one's teeth.
Try as anyone might, it will never be the case that either a rap, or R&B tune will be used to usher in a movie scene of great emotional gravity. Try imagining "A Walk To Remember" being underscored with Toni Braxton or, for tha matter--Michael Bolton's raspy caterwauling.
A tear would shed not.
-R
Ron, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree.
You have the right to dislike rap/R&B (which I actually consider separate genres), and the reasons why you dislike them are valid, especially so-called gangsta rap. I too detest it because of the negative, degrading lyrics. But if you look at the origin of rap in the 1980s, it was not all about bustin' caps in the domes of others. Unfortunately, that is the way it has devolved. But I digress. I was initially disagreeing with your assertion that R&B could not be used to usher in emotional gravity. What about Toni Braxton's (to use an artist you mentioned as an example) "Unbreak My Heart" (which to me,is a very haunting and moving song) or to use a Christian example, what about the group Anointed (artists of the song that brought them relative fame, "The Call")?
Everyone has different tastes. And I, like Everett, believe that it is important to have music that speaks to every generation. Just because a style of music doesn't line up with your tastes doesn't mean you should categorically disregard it or consider it lacking in emotional depth.
Chantell,
Thanks for responding here.
I never said it didn't line up with my tastes. I basically said it would be perhaps the last vehicle I would seek to convey anything of urgency (or, maybe I didn't say that:).
I'm certain that many groups, including Anointed, have certain tracks that depart from the whole formulaic thing I mean. Mary Mary had this song about "troubling the water" or something I heard a number of years ago that I liked. I listened to the rest of it on a drive up north. The rest of the album was just sychopation and endless vocal scales.
And I don't demean it as ungodly or anything. I just happen to think the expressive "spectrum" is far narrower than it gets credit for.
Maybe I'll elaborate in a column about some examples of things I wish were happening more in Christian music.
Either way, please remind me when I'm on deck. I'm barely able to tie my shoes any more.
-R
Hi EverettG,
For every person that takes the time to comment there are about 10 people that read.
Everett,
I apologize for not responding to your post sooner. I read it earlier, but needed to think about it as you made some excellent points, as usual.
I was thinking about your point (a very GOOD point, by the way) about music speaking to the body more than the soul. Then you said you thought it important to "have music that speaks to every generation and every culture." I agree. Now, at this point I'm "thinking out loud." I'll admit that I'm "old" as my students tease me, but being at a college where I'm constantly surrounded by 18-22 year-olds, I see stuff, believe me. The emphasis on "if you've got it, flaunt it" is rampant. We as faculty and administration struggle with it daily. I'm not denegrating our students - they are good kids with hearts that really do hunger after the Lord. I just think they are influenced by their culture and society just as we were in the 80's and 90's. Okay, so I'm saying all that to say: Christian R&B, as good intentioned as it may be, holds on to the emphasis on the sensual, the body, creating a double standard of sorts.
I think the influence of culture is very strong - we can't help but be touched by it. That's why I think caution and reflection on the state of spirituality is necessary when chosing listening material. I hope I've been clear enough to understand. I'd really value your opinion on this one. You're the one with the theology degree! :)
Ann
Everett,
Since you have generated a discussion about genre that will no doubt fuel future posts, I will respond to your last paragraph. Personally, I'm not doing this for journal or diary reasons. Actually, I got sucked in by sending Kent C a cd project and after a bunch of emails explaining nuances to him and after hearing his critical responses, he asked me to join the experiment and several others (free music and continuing monthly post). I may be speaking for him, but I think he asked because I was willing to disagree on certain points, yet accept his critique while centering the whole discussion around the "issue" or "idea." I've seen some other forums, both conservative and otherwise, that frankly have made me sick...(gossip fests, have you heard?, shocking news!!!!) Spiritual poison to the soul. I don't think that is the crowd we are trying to reach, i.e., personal attacks, flagrantly shallow opinions, anonymous egg throwers, fallacious screen names to shield identity, code mnemonics to decipher personalities, etc.
Maybe Kent C can chime in, but I think there are many readers, but fewer responders due to the level and nature of the discussions (some of the posts have stretched my thinking and made me wonder what I'm doing in here...others may feel somewhat intimidated, but the real key is knowing how to discuss an issue. Sadly, many online morph into the afore mentioned behavior) . Anyway, I'm here because of the level of knowledge and the level of discussion, knowing there will be those that challenge my premise, agree with it, add to it...etc. What keeps it from deginerating into stupidity is that each person is posting a piece that readers can respond to...its not a free for all.
Is blogging a genre? I don't know; I tend to think it's a medium...
Not the point here, though.
Interesting post; I gather, everettg, that you're mildly surprised by the fact that a song that stylistically fits a genre so fundamentally "non-Christian," actually conveys a Christian message. I see your point.
I, on the other hand, don't know that I see ron giesecke's point. Ron, you imply that, "hip-hop/R&B" is lifeless, expressionless, emotionless. I don't know that I can agree with you.
I'll admit, it doesn't resonate with me; I gather, Ron, that the same can be said for you. But perhaps here you're applying the filter of your personal tastes to the issue.
Because, simply put (at least in my admittedly humble estimation), music is meant to more effectively convey a message by touching the emotions. That is, the lyrics of a song spoken are not NEARLY as effective as they are when combined with music. Because when they're set to music, they touch those emotional buttons, and make us humans a bit more receptive.
Which is why music is so huge; because we have a tendency to gravitate toward media that "resonates" with us.
And perhaps, now, you're getting my point. In my mind, the simple fact that Hip-Hop/R&B is so huge, says to me that, perhaps it IS twanging some emotional strings somewhere, in somebody. Which means that, perhaps it has some artistic merit.
Thoughts?
(Disclaimer: I'm humbled to share a small portion of this esteemed page with you. I've had the honor of sharing a stage with a few of you, and your talent-and annointing-far surpass anything I'll ever hope to aspire to. THAT SAID, don't discount my point here for that reason alone; evaluate it's merits!)
By the way: GREAT BLOG!
I hope this reply isn't too long!
Dustin: Thanks, I appreciate knowing that!
Ron: I will give the picture another try if given a chance. As far as your theory that certain forms of musical delivery (or shall we continue to say "genre"?) stifle passion and/or contrasting peaks and valleys -- I think this is a matter of perception, and I will counter that music need not be "passionate" to be compelling, persuasive, or moving. Sometimes it is one simple lyric. Or the way the story is told. Peaks and valleys... certainly. I do agree with you there. I don't think I've ever heard any Toni Braxton nor do I think I would recognize Michael Bolton if I heard him... I don't think I've heard "A Walk to Remember" either. I am constantly reminded of how little I know! Maudlin... Great word. But I think I need to consult my dictionary for a refresher. I think I understand what you mean.
PJ: Actually, the surprise that I registered was to see the variety of genres that Kim Burrell's music encompassed. One minute she could be banging out a straight ahead fusion of instrumental jazz that had me wondering where was the gospel. The next minute she's even further from jazz and into a contemporary R&B groove. But it all worked for me. I was also registering a bit of surprise that I had owned this music for such a long time, had dismissed it out of hand on first hearing, and found a new appreciation for it just recently.
Pave: Thanks for your considered and thoughtful reply. I don't know what to make of "blogging." I'm in it for the critical inquiry. But so much of the rest of it (on other sites -- vanity blogs, etc.) ends up like stuff you describe. Like you, I tend to gravitate away from vapid, ignorant, shallow posts. But I'm always up for a good read, and when I saw some of the discussions here, I thought it might be a good fit for me.
Ann: My good friend. Last but not least. I think that we, as a movement, have a healthy fear of music that speaks to the body. I think that there are certain musics that we should avoid. Music that reeks of what Ron referred to as "sexually contemplative" is certainly in that category. But what makes the music sexually contemplative? It's not the music itself. It's in peoples' response to the music. When I hear music with a certain beat, I associate it with a certain style of dancing. Not because I dance that way. Not because I go to clubs where such dancing occurs. But because I've been around television that portrays a sexually suggestive style of dancing that accompanies the music. Since I don't have a televsion now, and I am not frequently exposed to such dancing, that beat or rhythm may not affect me as much as it would someone who has a tv or has watched more of it more recently.
If and when we use music that contains such a beat to convey the gospel, it should be done with a vigilant awareness of the potential for misunderstanding the "evangelistic outreach" context of the rhythms and beat. I think Kim Burrell song was an excellent example of a way to use this style of music with a noble purpose. I don't think it's a double standard. But I do think you have to be careful with it.
...on another, slightly more serious note: perhaps the mysterious technies purposely restricted your photo-posting abilities after seeing the multiple oversized pics of the esteemed Mr. Doofus from a while back...
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