Michael


 * Hello, and welcome to my page.**

On this page you will find songs that are related to various aspects of music, the past and present. Things, such as, storytelling through songs, the four-four time beat, and the instruments used to connect these songs to the history of ancient Africa. Griots in ancient Africa used methods similar to these to keep their histories alive and those of others. Below are the three songs that use one, two, or all of the things ancient griots in Africa used. For example, Amazing Grace is a gospel/holiday song that described a story of a person finding forgiveness in the Christian religion from God. This tells a story that is still present in most music and in music of the past. In addition to Amazing Grace, I will also include two other songs; one from anytime and anywhere and one from a non-English speaking country. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at mikedeasla@gmail.com.

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 * __Music: Past and Present__**
 * Amazing Grace**-Prior to 1975
 * Song**: Amazing Grace (2008; original 1772)
 * Musician(s)**: Sarah Brightman (original by John Newton)
 * Genre**: Spiritual, holidays, world music.
 * Synopsis**: Amazing Grace is one of the oldest and most loved hymns in all kinds of churches. John Newton was the original writer of this song. He wrote it after he was aboard a slave ship that went through a massive storm. The song describes how he felt that divine aid helped him and his crew through the storm. After the words for the song was written, this song went through changes in how it was sung and presented. Gospel, country, rock, and eventually pop versions/elements were introduced into the original lyrics. Rock, pop, and gospel versions all have roots to African music, due to the kind of music they are. Gospel, the simplest, are connected to songs sung by slaves on plantations. The songs slaves sung were very similar to the songs sung in Africa, having similar traits to it. Rock came out of blues, which came from gospel. Pop has similar roots. Essentially, these three versions of "Amazing Grace" have connections to African music through gospel and songs sung on the plantation. This all gave us today's versions of the beloved hymnal Amazing Grace.

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 * Low Rider**-Anytime, anywhere


 * Song**: Low Rider (1975)
 * Musician(s)**: War
 * Genre**: Funk, Latin, Rock
 * Synopsis**: Low Rider has several components of African music in it. It has components of percussion and also has a four-four beat. It has a jazz element to it through the horn section in its melody. The vocalist in this song adds new words to the original lyrics with each passing time he sings it. This is a form of singing that goes all the way back African music itself but is mostly known in jazz music today. These things that I have said are either present in African music (such as four-four time and percussion instruments) or came out of African music (such as jazz and blues music and elements).

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 * Shakara**-Non-English speaking country


 * Song**: Shakara (1972)
 * Musician(s)**: Fela Kuti
 * Genre**: World/Afro-pop
 * Synopsis**:Shakara, aside from being Afro-pop, has several components relating it to African music through different channels. Shakara has a kind of bluesy feel through its horn section and Fela Kuti's voice. Kuti's voice has a sort of low note to it common in blues music. Also, the song has percussion instruments in the background music during the vocals and the vocals have a large element of call and response to it. Fela Kuti sings one verse and a choir like group answers him with the same verse. In addition to these things, Shakara has a four-four time beat. This in addition to the percussion instruments and the call and response are classic traits of African music. Blues, the traits I mentioned earlier, came out of African spirituals which came out of the African music from the continent of Africa. These two combination provide a strong tie to African music.