Rock and Roll Midterm

What Bob Dylan song did Jimi Hendrix cover that ended up being more successful than Dylan's original?

All Along the Watchtower

Discuss some of the folk musicians of the 1940s and 50s (Pete Seeger, the Weavers, Woodie Guthrie, etc) and how they influenced later musicians such as Bob Dylan.

Artists of the 40s and 50s had lyrics that were representative, critical, and in response to the current world issues. The Weavers had "Which Side are you on" which was in response to miners vs mine owners and Woodie Guthrie sang "this land is your land" in response to "God Bless America". This influenced Bob Dylan because he did a tribute to Woodie Guthrie and he had 2 whole albums "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" and "The Times are a changing" that is are albums of protest.

Describe how country music fused with rock in the late 1960s. Which musical elements were taken from each genre? Give examples of country rock musicians from this era.

Country music formed with rock and blues as well as folk-rock to form country rock. Rock and blues added country sounds, such as the banjo and fiddle. Folk-rock bands in the late 60s incorporated country elements. They would strum acoustic guitars and electric guitars, have the electric bass and honkey tonk piano, and drums. Some musicians from this era are Gram Parsons, the Eagles, and Creedance Clearwater Revival.

Discuss some of the major social issues in the 1960s and how they related to folk and folk-rock music

In the 1960s, there were many nationwide and world wide issues occuring that influence music. There was rhe civil rights movement, vietnam war, the draft, and protests on college campuses occuring. Because of this, folk music was often political, against the war, against racism, and popular on the college campuses.

Describe the aspects of 1960s counter culture (literary movements, clothing, lifestyle, drug use.)

One of the major literary movements of the 60s was that of beat poets. Beat poets had many references to and about politics and political statements, which influenced psychedelic rock. They wore loose and casual clothing. They were considered "Hippies", and they believed in peace and love, non-materialism, and communal sharing. Not only did people use marijuana, but they also were into LSD, which created increased sensitivity.

Describe one of the psychedelic rock bands or artists discussed in class. What aspects of their music them to psychedelic rock?

One of the psychedelic rock bands we talked about was the Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead was formed in 1965. They had free concerts, and at those concerts they had "acid parties" which were parties with light shows and LSD. Musically wise, the Grateful Dead performed live shows, but they had the long, extended improvisations that were characteristic of the psychedelic time. Similarly, their song "Dark Star" takes up an entire side of their record.

Describe how elements of jazz were used in jazz rock in the late 1960s and 70s. How do these elements show up in "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

Rock used elements of jazz such as the big-bands and jazz instruments such as the saxophone and the horn section. This was evident in the song "Spinning wheel" because there were prominent horns in the song that punctuated the backbeat and there was a trumpet solo.

What distinguished southern rock from country rock in the late 1960s and 70s? Describe one of the southern rock bands discussed in class and reference one of their songs.

Southern rock was based on southern pride, which made it seem like it was from a whole different country. They style developed in the late 1960s. It featured aggressive music with a macho, independent attitude. One band we discussed was Lynyrd Skynyrd. One of their songs in particular we talked about was Sweet Home Alabama. It was a response to Neil Young's depictions of slither stereotypes. It features a lead guitar, sometimes a triple lead, and honky tonk piano.

Discuss the musical effects that psychedelic drugs had on psychedelic rock of the 1960s and 70s.

The LSD that musicians were on created dreamlike connections between thoughts and vivid hallucinations. Therefore, the musicians would have long instrumentals that were completely improvised. Also, the musicians would respond to each other with their instruments.

How did the lyrical content of songs by singer/songwriters in the 1960s and 70s differ from that of folk songs? Give an example of a singer/songwriter from this era and discuss one of their songs.

The lyrical content had shifted focus. It was much less of protest and response to the war and movements of that time period, but rather about personal experiences that the singer/songwriter had been through. The singer/songwriter I am going to talk about is Joni Mitchell. Joni got divorced from her husband, who used to tour with her. One of Her most famous songs "Big Yellow Taxi" has lyrics that reference the urbanization of nature, appreciation of things while you have them, and references to her divorce.

Discuss folk-rock music. What is the difference between folk and folk-rock? What are some early examples of folk-rock?

The main difference between folk and folk rock music is that folk-rock has a rock band with it and most of those artists wrote their own songs. Additionally, folk-rock music was less about protests and the time period, but shifted more towards what was happening in their lives. Some examples of folk-rock are The Byrd's, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (all one band), James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell.