Category: Music

Life Lessons From Prince: Part 3

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(photo credit 3. Embrace your weird. It's what changes the world for the better. Prince was certainly not a human you would describe as “ordinary” or “mainstream” or the N word – “normal”. I think we all agree he was eccentric to put it midldly. Some might call it “weird” – for lack of a … Continue reading Life Lessons From Prince: Part 3

Composer Or Ethnomusicologist? Maria Schneider: An Example of the Human Experience Captured Through Music

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As I sat at the kitchen table reading the article below aloud to my wife, over last night's leftover guava pastries and a couple of  home-made cafe con leches, it struck me that I wasn't just reading an article about music.  The way the story takes us through prominent contemporary Jazz composer Maria Schneider's trip … Continue reading Composer Or Ethnomusicologist? Maria Schneider: An Example of the Human Experience Captured Through Music

Surrounding Ourselves With Sound and Other Modern Household Survival Requirements

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

Flash back to before we established a "civilized" industrial-to-knowledge-to-conceptual economy such as we have been used to in modern times.  Survival was a matter of basics and most humans resided firmly in the very bottom layers of Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid: In absence of safeguards, systems and conveniences like government-supervised municipal programs, a regulated … Continue reading Surrounding Ourselves With Sound and Other Modern Household Survival Requirements

A Reluctant Fan: The Myth Of Commonality By Way Of Music Affinity

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

When it comes to music, I am a reluctant fan. Mind you, it's not because I don't enjoy music. Quite the contrary. Music is an essential part of my human experience, as it is for many. However, while I had hoped to hang on to the conception that those who share an affinity towards a … Continue reading A Reluctant Fan: The Myth Of Commonality By Way Of Music Affinity

“Take Five” To Remember Dave Brubeck: Setting The Context For Modern Jazz Music

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I've always been a huge fan of Jazz.  Most of my fondest childhood memories was spending Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the den of our seventies-chic (in the 80's, mind you) townhouse coloring in Buggs Bunny or putting together puzzles while listening to  the simultaneously melodic and harmonic music notes slither and shout from my … Continue reading “Take Five” To Remember Dave Brubeck: Setting The Context For Modern Jazz Music

30 Years Later: The King of Pop In Context And How “Thriller” Changed Everything

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The legendary best-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's Thriller, was released 30 years ago today.  It was a groundbreaking album that marked a defining achievement worthy of"King of Pop" status.  But do you know why? Well, It's a good thing you have a Narcissistic Anthropologist to find some context and share it with you.  … Continue reading 30 Years Later: The King of Pop In Context And How “Thriller” Changed Everything

Gangnam Style In Context: A Global Phenomenon In Appreciation of Irony?

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 3 Comments

If you are among the youtube watching masses, music enthusiasts or otherwise avid followers of popular culture, then you are likely among the close to 900 million viewers and counting who have seen this video by prolific South Korean superstar hip hop artist Psy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZkp7q19f0 What kind of content could possibly overtake Justin Bieber (who … Continue reading Gangnam Style In Context: A Global Phenomenon In Appreciation of Irony?

Music To My Wallet: A Sociology Of Style Perspective On The Soundtrack Of Shopping

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  As I always say, context is everything.  Some of that context is obvious:  what you see around you and the deeply held beliefs or cultural values that you carry with you.  These things ultimately have an impact on your day-to-day actions and ultimately your behavior as a consumer - one who purchases things.  The … Continue reading Music To My Wallet: A Sociology Of Style Perspective On The Soundtrack Of Shopping

“R Kelly Is Today’s Marvin Gaye” And Other Questionable Music Comparisons

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Last Sunday we were hosting a couple of friends for dinner: the type of friends who like to drink Manhattans, talk about philosophy and pose random questions for us all to get silly about before eating, drinking more and hopping on the piano for singalongs that range from Broadway to Elton John to Journey.  We … Continue reading “R Kelly Is Today’s Marvin Gaye” And Other Questionable Music Comparisons