Natalie

 __**//Salutations!-//**__

Welcome to my ethnomusicology page! Well to start off, let me just tell you what exactly this page is about. At school, we were learning about the Ancient West Africans and how they had Griots (story tellers who used to carry on the stories and legends from generation to generation) that would tell ancient stories through songs that would have an earthy sound to it. They would have a 4-4 beat rhythm and drums in the background. In class we also learned that many of the artists that came after the Ancient West Africans and even the artists of today, have been inspired by the Griots' music styles, which leads me to this. This web page, along with my other class mates' webpages, was made to show you how we have inspired by the Ancient Griot and how much of our music resembles the music that Griots used to tell their legends. Below are clips of several songs that have some of the aspects that African music has. There will be three songs; one from before 1975, one from a non-english speaking country, and one from anytime/anywhere. I hope that through this web page, you will be enriched with the culture that our music actually holds and I hope that you will realize how much music around the globe has evolved. Enjoy!:) __ **//1.Song before 1975//** __ media type="file" key="03 Hound Dog 4.mp3" __Song:__ Hound dog __Written:__ Big Mama Thornton originally wrote it in 1953, but Elvis reinterpreted it in 1956. __Genre:__ rock n roll __Description:__ This song has similar characteristics to Ancient West African music because it has that 4 beat rhythm that the ancient West Africans had in their music. Also, the rock sound that it has is just a new and more polished style of the old blues that the song actually originated from when it was sung by Big Mama Thornton. __Personal Reflection:__ Elvis is one of my favorite singers. I guess you can call me an oldie, but I think that he was a singer with one of the most unique voices and music styles in his time. He changed the way people looked at music. I think he could’ve gone a long way if he would’ve let go of his addiction before it affected his career. __Link to more information:__ http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=473 __ Link to lyrics: __ http://music.yahoo.com/Elvis-Presley/Hound-Dog/lyrics/2036664

__**//2.Song From a non-English speaking country//**__

media type="file" key="1-15 El Amor De Un Padre.m4a"

__Song:__ “El Amor De Un Padre” __By:__ Bengie __Year:__ 2007 __Genre:__ Reggeaton __Description:__ This song has a 4 beat rhythm, has drums in the background, and it also tells a story through the music, similar to the ancient West African griot. Another important connection is that this music is reggeaton, which branched out from salsa, which branched out from other genres of music that refer back to la plena which was a type of music that the African Ancestors of Puerto Rico used to tell a story, similar to the way the Ancient West Africans used to tell stories. __Personal reflection:__ Bengie is a very famous singer in Puerto Rico and many other Spanish-speaking countries. I like this particular song of his because he makes a very strong point to the world about God’s love towards us. He compares the love of a father to his daughter with the love that CHRIST had for us. I, as a Christian, think that this sing Brings up a very important and relevant point that can reach out to people’s hearts and really bring them the happiness that they have been looking for.

__**//3. Anytime, anywhere://**__ __Song:__ the Piano man __ By: __ Billy Joel __Year:__ 1998 __Genre:__ soft rock __Description:__ Like the Ancient Griot, Billy Joel tells a story through this song. Also, this song has a slight gospel type sound that reminds me of the gospel music sung by the African slaves. This song also has a 4 beat rhythm and has modern drums in the background. __Personal reflection:__ This is one of my favorite songs. I love its sound. It’s very fun and mellow and it makes you think of good times. I think it tells a very true story about people who try to forget about life’s problems by drinking and spending some time with friends. It also brings up the point that music can heal sorrow, and many times this is true. It is also true that friends and people you know and love can also heal sorrow. __Link to lyrics:__ http://www.lyricsdepot.com/billy-joel/piano-man.html