Lady Sing the Blues in American history
My grandmother constantly says “music now is not like it was in my day”. Although I am a product of the 20th century I can concur with her on that statement. In my opinion today’s music lyrics make no sense, lack emotion and send terrible messages. I am an old school music lover. I love the tunes of artist like; Al Green, Minnie Ripleton, Anita Baker and groups like; The Temptations, Miracles and Supremes. These artists and groups were soulful people that produced amazing sound and made music that is still popular today. When I think of Motown, Detroit and the Rhythm & Blues era it makes me wish that I was around in those times to encounter this music first hand. Songs in this genre had clear, positive messages whether they were about love, struggle, or lessons each song consisted of a passionate voice or voices behind it. Just to break down the term “Rhythm and Blues” into my own words, I would have to say that it meant a personal encounter of someone’s experiences placed on top of a melody. When thinking of the term blues one may automatically think of the words “sad” or “distressed” but when I think of blues it simply is a person singing a song with emotions of their personal accounts. For example; if I was to write a song about being college student, I would be able to put a lot of emotion into what I’m saying because I am a college student and my song would closely parallel with the things I have dealt with within that role. I appreciate the movies that came from these times that highlight artist and groups such as; the 5 heartbeats, Cadillac records and the temptations. One of my favorite movies of all times is Lady Sings the Blues. This movie is a biography of Billie Holiday; a blues singing of the early 1900’s. She was famous for her distinctive voice and her great contribution to the era of Jazz. She has been deemed as one of the best blues artist of all times.
Billie Holiday was born as Eleanor Fagan in Baltimore, MD on April 7, 1915.
Billie Holiday was born as Eleanor Fagan in Baltimore, MD on April 7, 1915.