Week 4 Blog Post 2

This week’s third artist is Massive Attack a English Trip Hop, Electronic, and experimental rock production group. Its members are Robert “3D” Del Naja, Grant “Daddy G” Marshall and formerly Andy “Mushroom” Vowles (“Mush”). Releasing 6 albums as a group they collaborated with and remixed stars like Madonna, Garbage, and David Bowie. Their entire Protection album was remixed by Mad Professor in 1995. This project was called No Protection. I bring the Protection album and song up because its a good example of sampling is used to create a different project. The Song by Massive Attack is “Protection”. Protection is collaboration between Massive Attack and Everything But the Girl singer Tracey Thorn that appeared on Massive Attack’s album Protection on CD and 12″ in 1994. I choose this group and song because they sampled James Brown’s “The Pay Back”. Massive attack took the constant drive of the Wah-Wah Guitar and the Hi-hat and Bass pattern. While there is a list of remixes by a number of influential producers and DJ’s I like the original the most. It’s definitely got that laid back 90’s feel to it. It differs from the original as James Brown’s The Pay Back is more of a Funk track.

The fourth artist this week is Total a popular R&B/”New Jill Flava”group during the 1990’s. Comprised of three singers Keisha Spivey Pam Long J and JaKima Raynor these ladies made their debut along side the rapper Notorious Big on his One More Chance record. With hits like “No One Else,” “Kissin’ You,” and “Do You Think About Us?”. Despite only releasing two albums Total held their own during Bad Boys most successful years as a label. Working with other artists like Faith, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot and Mase the ladies carried a distinct soulful yet edge approach to R&B. The Song I’d like to focus on is Total’s Can’t you See which also samples James Brown’s The Pay Back. Just like Massive Attack’s song there are several notable remixes to their song as well. Included on their debut album and The New Jersey Drive Soundtrack the track uses the same Wah-Wah Guitar  and Bass pattern from James Brown’s Song. Where the two differ is there are other  elements added such as the  piano. While Massive Attack and Total songs came out around the same time and utilize similar elements Massive Attack sticks more to the original drum groove and uses a synth pad and a constant bass movement that makes the song sound more electronic and kind of pushes the song along.

James Brown- The Pay Back (Original Song)

 

Massive Attack- Protection

 

Total- Can’t You See

 

Works Cited

Ankeny, J. (2016). Massive Attack. Retrieved 02 28, 2016, from Allmusic.com: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/massive-attack-mn0000378288

Ankeny, J. (2016). Total Biography. Retrieved 02 28, 2016, from Allmusic.com: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/total-mn0000002750/songs

Jason Ankeny, R. (2016). Total Biorgraphy . Retrieved 02 28, 2016, from Billboard.com: http://www.billboard.com/artist/430293/total/biography

Week 4 Blog Post 1

This weeks featured artist is the Fugees. I chose the Fugees because this band and each of its members major impacts on the music and culture in the 90’s and 00’s. I absolutely love Lauren Hill’s vocals in Sister Act and have purchased The Score and The Miss Education Of Lauren Hill albums a few times. A mesh of R&B, Hip Hop, and Reggae they spoke about politics, and emotions. With hard hitting snares, catch synth patterns, Northern Rap follows, Haitian Flava, soul, and R&B influences from the 70’s and 80’s . The Fugees hooked their fans with lyrical content and addictive grooves. I love this group and each artist individually. In 1987 the group formed in South Orange, NJ with members Lauren Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel. The group would only release two albums Blunted on Reality (1994) and The Score (1996). With the release of The Score, The Fugees would go on to be one of the most respected and successful hip-hop groups of all time. The Score with tracks like Ready or Not Killing Me Softly, How Many Mics, and No Woman No Cry. Despite the group winning Grammy awards for their work on The Score they split to peruse solo careers in 1996. Wyclef would go on to release The Carnaval Which features Gone to November in 1997 . Wyclef Jean would later release several albums working with artists like Destiny Child, Mary J. Blige and Santana. His release was followed by Pras’ Ghetto Super Star, which featured R&B singer Mya and Rapper Ole Dirty Bastard. Lauren Hill released The Mis Education of Lauren Hill in 1998. Her debut solo album features Carlos Santana , D’Angelo, and Mary J. Blige. The Mis Education of Lauren Hill won Lauren Hill five Grammy Awards in 1999.

 

The Second artist being featured this week is No Doubt a Punk/Pop/Ska/New Wave Rock band from Anaheim, CA. With vocalist Gwen Stefani, bassist and keyboardist Tony Kanal, guitarist and keyboardist Tom Dumont, and drummer Adrian Young. In the mid-1990s added keyboardist and trombonist Gabrial McNair and keyboardist and trumpeter Stephen Bradley. I chose this group as a contrast because both ladies manage to be the focal point of both groups. Both groups also have reggae influences and but No Doubt definitely gives it a twist with the Rock Vibe. Both ladies also have successful solo careers. I remember seeing Don’t Speak on MTV and instantly falling in love with the group. I’ve brought Tragic Kingdom and Rock Steady a few times as well. With hits like Don’t Speak, Simple Kind of Life, Hey Baby, and Underneath It All No Doubt is a force to be reckoned with. Gwen Steffani would go on to release Love Angel Music Baby and the Sweet Escape which gave her several successful singles such as Holla Back Girl, Rich Girl, and Wind Up. Her sound would change a bit with more Hip hop and Pop influences.

 

Works Cited

Bush, J. (2016). Biography. Retrieved 02 27, 2016, from All Music: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fugees-mn0000182415/biography

Last.fm. (2016). Fugees Biography. (smee85, Ed.) Retrieved 02 27, 2016, from Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Fugees/+wiki

No Doubt. (2016). Biography. Retrieved 02 27, 2016, from NoDoubt.com: http://www.nodoubt.com/biography

 

 

 

MultiMedia Presentation 4

This Week we were tasked with creating our fantasy band, I hope you like it.  Check out my Prezi and let me know what you think.

Fantasy Band Project

Shana Burwell

Peer Review # 2

Hi Brittany,

Your post was interesting and made me want to find out more about each band. I found them both on You Tube. Perhaps adding some pictures, video, or a playlist could really re-enforce your thoughts on both bands. Once I heard “Takin it to the Streets” I realized I had heard the Doobie Brothers before but I didn’t know it was them. My favorite song by them is “ What a Fool Believes”. I also didn’t know much about the Band Chicago. But once again as soon as I researched them I realized I knew their work but never knew the band that sang the song. Like their song Questions 67 & 68” from their Chicago Transit Authority album. I know the song because I had a class mate use it in their Senior Project in 2003. Overall you did a good job of connecting with your reader.

Shana Burwell

Link to Brittany’s Blog: https://kallashblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/blog-4/

 

HPM II Week 3 Blog 2

My third artist this week is Teena Marie, soul, R&B artist, songwriter and producer. I chose to research Teena Marie this week because I love her music. I don’t know much about her life but Square Biz has been one of my favorite songs since I was a child. I use to get my hair pressed or braided on Saturday and Sundays and they always had the radio on 104.7, a station which hosted a house party style show called blue lights in the basement.   Square Biz and many of her other hits played in rotation with other party hits. Teena Marie recorded and released 13 albums over her lifetime and collaborated and worked with a variety of artists. With hits like “Square Biz,” “Behind the Groove,” “I Need Your Lovin’,” “Lovergirl” and “Ooo La La La,” it is understood why she is know as Lady Tee and the Ivory Queen of Soul. She pushed color barriers with her soulful wide ranged vocals. She could handle ballads, and R&B Dance songs with grace and emotion. Various artists in different genres have sampled her Songs. My favorite of her song’s sampled was Her song “Ooo La La La,” which was sampled by The Fugees on their The Score Album in 1995 and Trey Song’s Na Na single in 2014. Teen Marie continued to record and release right up until her death in December of 2010. Her final album Beautiful was released Posthumous in 2013.

Teena Marie- Ooo La La La

 

The Fugees – Fu-Gee-La

 

 

My forth artist this week is Cyndi Lauper an artist, songwriter, author, activist, and composer. I Chose Cyndi Lauper to compare because both ladies are powerhouses but Cyndi Lauper was more of a Pop/Rock Diva. With hits like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, “Time After Time”, and True Colors” Cyndi Lauper is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She too had the ability to not only handle catchy tunes but also Ballads. A True MTV icon she had fun with her look playing with a variety of hair colors and looks. She cared less about what the status quo had to say about it. Weather its in her music or with in the Tony Award Winning score she wrote for the Broadway Musical Kinky Boots her emotional outbursts command your attention it not shocking that she’s been covered and sampled by a variety of artists. My favorite is her Song Time After Time, which has been covered four times by several artists. And sampled over 14. My favorite cover version is Inoj, which was recorded in 1998. Cyndi Lauper continues to release music with her latest being Funnel Of Love, which released on February 18^th 2016.

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time

 

 

INOJ – Time After Time

 

Works Cited

Cyndi Lauper. (2016). Bio. Retrieved 02 21, 201, from CyndiLauper.com: http://cyndilauper.com/bio

Teena Marie. (2016). Bio. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from Teena Marie Official: http://www.teenamarieofficial.com/bio/

Who Sampled, Inc. . (2016). Cyndi Lauper-Time After Time. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from WhoSampled.com: http://www.whosampled.com/Cyndi-Lauper/Time-After-Time/sampled/

Who Sampled, Inc. (2016). Teena Marie. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from Who Sampled.com: http://www.whosampled.com/Teena-Marie/?sp=1

HPM II Week 3 Blog 1

This week’s comparison is slightly different than my usual posts.   The two artists being compared had chart topping success singing the same song and show’s the effects of MTV on me personally. The First artist is George Michael. George Michael is an international pop star and activist. After success with Wham Michael released Faith in 1987. The album would have a multiple number 1 hit such as “Monkey”, “One More Try” and “ Farther Figure”. But, it is its title track which I ‘d Like to focus on. Faith was released as a single just before the album released. It would go on to be an 80’s Dance Hit. I absolutely love this song. George Michael’s “Faith” video aired on MTV in 1987. Michael wanted to have sort of a bad boy look he had a one cross in his ear, cool shades, a leather jacket, boots, and torn/bleached jeans. In some sections every thing was black and white with pops of color. I just realized that you never see the lady in the videos face Just her legs and Pops of color on her Pumps. He plays a catchy guitar rift and sings softly building up into the guitar solo. You can hear the quick drum pattern, which uses sticks, claps, snaps, and tambourines. George Michael would continue to see success as a solo artist in the UK.

The Second Artist this week is Limp Bizkit. Limp Bizkit is a Rap/Metal Band who released its first album Three Dollar Bill Y’all in 1998.   The Group had Fred Durst on Vocals, Sam Rivers on Bass, and John Otto on Drums and Wes Borland on Guitar. I chose this group because they released a Chart toping cover of George Michael’s Faith in 1997. The group stuck closely to the original in the delivery of the verses. But went full on metal in the choruses loud guitar. He calms down slightly in the verse again then screams through the chorus into a ridiculous guitar bridge in which Fred Durst completely looses it. Ending with him dropping the microphone after yelling faith. The Video is the band entering a venue and their interaction with the crew and fans throughout the performance. While not as successful as the original, it put the group on the map and was followed with several successful commercial releases. I can remember seeing this video on MTV and it being my first introduction to metal music. I also discovered Pop, Rock, Folk, Alternative, and Reggae. All thanks to MTV, VH1, and BET not to mention the Box in the late 90’s. Either way both artists uniquely put their best foot forward on the same song, which made major impacts on the genre they represent and the culture of the fans at the time.

Faith-George Michael

Faith-Limp Bizkit

 

Works Cited

George Michael. (2016). Time Line. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from georgemichael.com: http://www.georgemichael.com/timeline/

John Bush, R. (2011). About Limp Bizkit. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from MTV.com: http://www.mtv.com/artists/limp-bizkit/

Limp Bizkit . (2016, 01). Releases. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from Limp Bizkit : http://www.limpbizkit.com

VanHorn, T. (1998, 08 18). News. Retrieved 02 21, 2016, from MTV.com: http://www.mtv.com/news/500531/limp-bizkit-video-challenges-george-michaels-faith/

 

 

Multimedia Presentation Brian Eno

This presentation covers the life and music of Brian Eno.

Brian Eno: The 40 Yr Journey

 

I hope you enjoy it,

 

Shana Burwell

HPM II Week 2 Blog 2

This week’s third artist is Tito Puente, legendary band conductor and percussionist. I chose Tito Puente because while I know the type of music that he made I don’t know a lot about his life or his work. Born and raised in Spanish Harlem New York his ability to combine Latin music with Jazz is what made him so respected in the business. Creating more that 200 compositions and releasing over a 100 albums in his lifetime Tito Puente began his career taking piano and percussion lessons. Learning to play several instruments such as saxophone, vibraphone, Congas, and timbales he landed an apprenticeship in the Machito Orchestra. After his apprenticeship he was drafted and served in World War II. Once he returned home in 1945 he attended Julliard School of Music. In 1948 he formed Tito Puente Orchestra and began performing for live audiences. Gaining notoriety with his band’s album Maria Dance in 1958 the Tito Puente Orchestra would continue to thrive. Adding more and more layers to its music with a mixture of Afro-Cuban and Latin rhythms like merengue, salsa, and cha cha. Tito Puente passed away in 2000 after during surgery. But his legacy lives on in his music, several guest appearances on various movies, sitcoms, and shows. He and his orchestra received 5 Grammys and an array of other music honors as well. Tito Puente will forever be known as the King of Latin music.

Jamaican Reggae singer Bob Marley performs in front of an audience of 40,000 during a festival concert of Reggae in Paris, France, on July 4, 1980. (AP Photo/Str)

This Weeks fourth artist is Bob Marley. I chose to compare these two artists because I see some similarities in the instrumentation but the there are some distinct cultural influences in each. Puente uses a lot of percussion; you can hear sticks, congas, and cowbells you hear the Jazz influences trumpets and flutes. Marley did the same but used electric bass and Wa-Wa Guitars. Marley used more of a constant bounce in their grooves and at times had more of a message with their music. Born and raised in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica Bob Marley is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player. Bob Marley gained inspiration from American music in Juke Boxes and radio. He started his career when he and Livingston, and Tosh formed the Wailers in 1963. In 1964 the group would add Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso and Cherry Smith. The first single would be “Simmer Down” which saw success on the Jamaican charts. The group would split for a short time before reforming in 1966 with its three original members embracing the Rastafarian movement that was going on around their country. Marley would see success with working with artists like Peter Nash on “Stir It Up”, while scoring a number of hits such as “Soul Rebel” with his band. In 1970 the group added Aston Barrett on bass and his brother, drummer Carlton Barrett on drums. The group landed a deal with Island Records in 1972 and release its first full studio album Catch a Fire in 1973. Bob Marley would die from cancer in 1981. Receiving several awards and honors such as the Medal of Peace from the United Nations. He also left a music and cultural legacy selling over 20 million records during his lifetime.

Works Cited

Biography.com Editors. (2016). Bob Marley Biography. Retrieved 02 13, 2016, from The Biography.com website: http://www.biography.com/people/bob-marley-9399524#death-and-memorial

Bob Marley Foundation. (2016). Biography. Retrieved 02 13, 2016, from BobMarley.com: http://www.bobmarley.com/history/

Discogs. (2016). Tito Puente. Retrieved 02 13, 2016, from Discogs.com: https://www.discogs.com/artist/19594-Tito-Puente

Last.fm Ltd. (2012, 06 06). Biography, 8. (HarFang, Editor) Retrieved 02 13, 2016, from Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Tito+Puente/+wiki

HPM II WK 2 Blog 1

This week’s first group is Heart an Arena Rock Group. I chose this group because they were some of rock music’s female pioneers and I thought it would be interesting to learn a little more about the Band. The band Heart was formed in 1974 with Ann and Nancy Wilson, Steve Fossen, and Mike Fisher. A year later Howard Leese joined the group. “Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so.” (Heart, 2015) With Ann contributing vocals, guitar, and flute; Nancy’s vocals, guitar, and mandolin; Steve on Guitar, Mike on Bass, and Howard on keyboards, synthesizer, guitar the group recorded their first album in 1976. The album was Dreamboat Annie, which included “Crazy on You” and “Magic Man”. In 1977 the group added Michael DeRosier as its drummer, and release two albums in the same year. The first was a partially completed album named Magazine, which released in early 1977 on their old Label Mushroom. The second was Little Queen, which was released on their new label Portrait. Despite both albums being solid it was Little Queen, which produced the group’s next hit “Barracuda”. The same year Roger left the band, the ladies were on the cover of Rolling stone, and the band won the lawsuit Mushroom filled against them. The 1980’s brought few more albums such as Bebe le Strange, which included hits like “Even It Up” and a cover ballad called “Tell It Like It Is”. They also released Private Audition and Passionworks. However, it was their Heart album, which went number 1, which included billboard hits “What About Love?” and “These Dreams”. Heart has released over 13 albums with their last album of new material being released in 2012.

This week’s second band is Blondie a punk rock group. I chose this group because it also had a leading lady. In Professional Writing I wrote my blog about female producers, I guess I like girl power. Regardless this Pop powerhouse was worth learning about. With hits like “One Way Or Another”, “Heart of Glass”, “Call on Me” and “Rapture”. Its line up includes Deborah Harry, Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri, Nigel Harrison, Frank Infante, Chris Stein, and Gary Valentine. While both Heart and Blondie have female lead singers Blondie was borderline New Wave or Pop. Heart uses a lot of hard rock grooves and rifts. While Blondie used more poppy electronic patterns and instruments. Both groups used a good mixture of harmonies while singing about love and life, selling millions of records worldwide.

 

Works Cited

Heart. (2015). About. Retrieved 02 11, 2016, from Heart-Music.com: http://www.heart-music.com/heart

Simon, S. &. (2016). Biography. Retrieved 02 12, 2016, from Rollingstone.com: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/blondie/biography

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. (2016). The Inductees. Retrieved 02 12, 2016, from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: https://rockhall.com/inductees/heart/bio/

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. (2016). The Inductees. Retrieved 02 12, 2016, from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum: https://rockhall.com/inductees/blondie/bio/

Blog Playlist

 

 

Grammy Producer of the Year Project(1975-2014)

My Presentation

http://prezi.com/ha7pzfhkj8ye/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

In this project we were given a task to research each of the producers whom have won Grammy Producer of the Year from 1975-2014.

Grammy Producer of the Year Recipients

1975-Thom Bell

1976 and 2003-Arif Mardin

1977-Stevie Wonder

1981-Phil Ramone

1982 and 1991-Quincy Jones

1987-Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

1996 and 1997 and 1998-Babyface

1999-Rob Cavallo

2001-Dr. Dre

2002-T-Bone Burnett

2004-The Neptunes

2005-John Shanks

2006-Steve Lillywhite

2007 and 2009-Rick Rubin

2008-Mark Ronson

2010-Brendan O’Brien

2011-Danger Mouse

2012-Paul Epworth

2013-Dan Auerbach

2014-Pharrell Williams

Grammy Producer of the Year playlist

This playlist is comprised of songs produced by each producer in the order that they won not the order of the release of the production.