Comparison Homework

The files for our mystery listening comparison are now up on the Blackboard page. Please download and post any and all thoughts and reactions, with today's discussion on meaning and musical context as one possible component.

Barry

You're in! (weekend listening)

Welcome jazzers, rockers, and racers! I hope that you were able to join with no problems.

Some questions to think about - and respond to on here if you like - as you listen to Richie Havens' 'Freedom' and Mahalia Jackson's 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child':

• How are they similar?
• Despite this, what different aspects make them 'sound' very different?
• What do you think each artist is trying to communicate? Relating it to class discussion, do you feel like each track represents resignation, a call for attention, a call to action, or racial or cultural pride?

In addition, any and all responses are encouraged! What were your thoughts as you listened to each? First reactions? Which will you find yourself coming back to more often?

You can post your responses using the 'Comments' function below, or create a new post if you like.

BTW, if the files are inaccessible on Blackboard for whatever reason, you can get them at http://faculty.msmary.edu/long/jazzrockrace.htm

Barry

Welcome!

Welcome to the Jazz, Rock, and Race blog. While this is a course requirement, I hope that it becomes a natural extension of our class discussions and ideas. Let's make this an environment in which we can exchange our thoughts freely and openly, disagree often, and above all challenge ourselves to approach everything with an open mind.