15 Aug BeBop to Hip Hop: Song Review: Earth,Wind, and Fire, September
A typed, 3 to 5page discussion of a SONGfrom music eras we have discussed.
SONG: “September” Earth,Wind, and Fire
Directions: Pick a song from one of the first four Funk Dynasties in the text. Then develop a discussion about the song, and the artist/act responsible for it. Include a discussion of the sound, the structure, the purpose, the popular appeal and the personal impact of the song to you.
The song should be identifiable within one or more of the musical genres and styles we have discussed in class. It need not be a funky dance track seen on Soul Train, but it should reflect the material we have discussed in class.
In your paper you should consider the following:
— Discuss the structure of the song, in terms of its instrumentation, style, tempo, length, high points, low points, intensity, variety and other elements of its organization.
— Discuss the sound of the song. Was it raw, smooth, stanky, clean? YOU define the terms and use them as they are needed.
— Discuss the lyrics of the song, the messages in the words, either explicit or implied.
— Discuss the theme or the purpose of the song. What was the artist trying to accomplish? What was the artist trying to say, and did they do that?
— Discuss the relevance of the song to yourself, and to the History of Funk, to the musical era, to the Black community, and to the larger society if that applies.
To give the paper clarity, you should to do the following:
— Identify the song in chart history; i.e., its date of release, sales peak, etc.
— Identify the songs label, and any relevant material about the company.
— Identify the song in the artists career; i.e. was it the first hit? from their best selling or most famous album? Was it part of their rise? After their fall, etc?
–Discuss the musicians, and recording data if possible. For example, was it recorded in New York? Los Angeles? Chicago? Who played on the record? Was it the regular lineup of the band?
