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May 27, 2005 I grew up in the 70's in a time during which our country was experiencing serious growing pains. There was talk of a "generation gap", and hippies and pinkos were viewed with disdain by "old folks" (at that time, anyone over 30). The battle for Civil Rights was brought into our livingrooms every night, as were the horrors of Vietnam. Roe V. Wade and even the Olympic games had their own controversies. The music of this era reflected the times. Some of it expressed great optimism, while others believed that America was a troubled, incorrigible child. During this time I developed a love not only for music, but songwriting as well. I had no musical ability, nor desire to be a songwriter. But as a blossoming writer, I saw lyrical content as a means of conveying powerful messages—about love, war, pride or poverty. The most influential songwriter for me was William Smokey Robinson. Along with founder Barry Gordy, he was the architect of "The Motown Sound", a sound that made musical history and has yet to be repeated. Robinson was also dubbed, "The greatest poet of our time", by Bob Dylan—arguably the most influential songwriter of our time. It’s my opinion that Smokey penned the greatest pop song of all time, "My Girl." I say this because you can approach anyone, and they will know at least a portion of the song. While on the subject of Motown, I can’t omit the legendary Lamont Dozier, who with Eddie and Richard Holland penned the majority of hits by the Supremes and the Four Tops. Dozier’s 1973 album "Black Bach" is an illustration of a great master at work. Another writer of great influence was Curtis Mayfield. His song "We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue" inspired the title of a novel I wrote ("Darker Than Blue"). That song painted a portrait of the pain black people endured and raised the question of what would we do to combat it. Mayfield also scored one of the greatest movie soundtracks ever—"Superfly". Stevie Wonder wrote songs about love ("I Was Made To Love Her"), oppression ("Living For The City") , and songs of joy (such as "Do I Do"). He too, was part of that Motown stable of artists that created the "Sound of Young America." My tastes in music have always been rather eclectic, ranging from the foot-stomping funk of James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic (George Clinton) to the enigmatic verbiage and technical mastery of Donald Fagen (the creative force behind Steely Dan); to the simple, heartfelt melodies of James Taylor ("Fire and Rain"). John Lennon’s body of work is legendary, particularly his work with Paul McCartney as a member of the Beatles. The Isley Brothers, The Last Poets, Ashford and Simpson, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, George Duke, Barry White and Earth, Wind and Fire were some of my other early influences. Today I believe the most gifted composer is Prince. His renegade style of across-the-board music has influenced artists as diverse as D’Angelo, Terence Trent0D’Arby, Lenny Kravitz, and bands like The Time and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Prince’s blend of gospel and sexuality was gleaned from Marvin Gaye, but his willingness to cross musical genre’s is uncanny. From hard rock ("I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"), to Reggae ("Blue Light"), blues (""The Question of You"), straight funk ("Kiss"), soft ballads ("Do Me, Baby") even operatic influences ("Three Chains of Gold") makes him something of a master of all trades. His albums "Controversy", "Purple Rain", "Diamonds and Pearls" and "Sign O’ The Times" are considered classics. Some of his more recent works—like "Emancipation" and "Crystal Ball" while being critically dissed, show his genius is still very much intact. Through the works of these artists I deduce that songwriting isn’t much different from penning a poem or a novel. There is a rhythm and flow to all of those genres. Poetry is song without music. Novels are concept albums without instrumental accompaniment. Songwriting is poetry and sometimes a story wrapped in a five-minute groove. ------------ About the author: Timothy Stelly is the 45-year old author of "Tempest In The Stone" and the upcoming, "The Malice of Cain". He resides in Pittsburg, California with his three youngest children Dante, Kimberly and Lawrence. I have a new website: stellbread0.tripod.com Email: stellbread@sbcglobal.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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