Lend Me Some Sugar

[Al Truest]

This month's playlist will incorporate inspirations or samples 'borrowed' from another artist. These inspirations are nor subtle. It may be an actual sample or as much as a remake of the song.

To start let's transition from last month right into the Bruce Hornsby inspired ''The Way It Is'' as interpreted by Tupac:

1) ''Changes'' from Tupacs ''Greatist Hits''
www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1076512&cart=192491601&style=music
(track 5 on disc 2)

The next 2 are influenced by Weather Report's ''Elegant People''. Flowing from hip-hop to funk, here is Jimmy Earls' Version:

2) ''Elegant People'' from ''centrifugal Funk''
www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6608190&cart=192491601&style=music
(track 6)

Portishead sampled the instrumental opening from this song (not evident in the clip offered here) Still another form here - alterrnative/Indie sound with smokey-jazz vocals from Beth Gibbons

3) ''Strangers'' from ''Dummy''
www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?style=MUSIC&pid=1056601&cart=192491601
(track 3)

The source for comparison:

4) ''Elegant People'' from Weather Report's ''Black Market''
www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=3637956&cart=192491601&style=music
(track 4...nice lengthy sample ) ps while you're there listen to track 1 ''Black Market'' and 2 and 6 and 7....

And finally a Kate Bush tune with a rare, discernable influence:

5) ''The Sensual World'' from the album of the same name. No sample is posted (as most of you have it) however here is a link to the instrumental source for the song:

Nevestrinko Oro's version of this traditional Macedonian Dance
www.shoesmith.net/mp3/mp3.html
(scroll down to the last selection on the chart ('covers'), a description will show you the track)

[Iago]

Oh course you know I love this list; but, I want to make sure it doesn't get buried.

[Al Truest]

This thread may be wearing thin. Somebody - don't be afraid to be critical here.

[Adey]

I will be posting here in the next day or two.

[Al Truest]

Why bother? Thought, consideration and effort seemed to go unnoticed by all but you now Adey.

[Adey]

Al said:

Why bother? Thought, consideration and effort seemed to go unnoticed by all but you now Adey.

Surely not.. but I appreciate the compliment.

Thanks for this latest list AT, I have listened to the selections via the (all too short) links that you found.

I was interested to see that you decided to explore the use of 'old' samples in contemporary music. Interested, but also contemplating the matter with something of a heavy heart. I really am in 2 minds about this use of older material..

My main criticism of the practice is that it encouages laziness. Why bother to create something new when you can recycle something straight off the shelf? My other complaint is that it takes the initiative in popular music out of the hands of musicians and puts it under the purview of engineers. Ultimately I think it can be seen as introspective rather than being particularly creative.

That is not to say that on occasions, something entirely valid can't come out of such fusion. I am generally a lot more comfortable with the idea when the original (sampled) artist is involved in the collaboration. I guess I'm thinking about recent reworkings of some of Sting's material.

Of course, it has to be acknowledged that technology makes this sort of thing so much easier and possible on a limited budget. I guess the writing has been on the wall since the Fairlight and other machines like it. Hell, go back further, the mellotron..

Coming back to your selections, the Tupac use of That's the Way It Is, represents a music form that I abhor. These visions of Urban bleakness and nihilism, of the glorification of disorder and hate/violence really are not to my taste. Perhaps I've been fortunate in my life and never had to deal with alienation and lack of opportunity. I am unable to appreciate the voice or the message, though I recognise it as valid. I'm too white and too middle class to be really angry at society, and I mean that with no disrespect to anyone or any other culture. Eminem should take note.. Neither would I jump on someone else's greivances in order to make money.

The Weather Report samples were just too brief for me to reach any sort of conclusion (sorry). Elegant People is not new to me, but it's been a while. Still, it demonstrates how diversely similar samples may be used, and negates some of the 'sterility' argument. I did like the Potishead 'Strangers' track, but then again I've always enjoyed Portishead, without going out of my way to seek them out. I too am a sucker for those old smoky nightclub style vocals.

I won't comment on the Kate macedonian piece. I have already done that elsewhere on the Forum.

I'm sorry if much of this post seems to be quite negative about the idea of lending some sugar. At least it gave me an opportunity to think about my opinions and concerns of large scale song sampling.

[Al Truest]

Thanks Adey for the well constructed and considered response. I am of two minds as well about 'borrowing' To be sure, acknowledgement of the original artist is paramount to my endorsement of the practice. This was the case with these selections (save Kate's - I should have used the Donovan song ''In the Reedy River'') You eloquently expressed the down side to this endeavor. However, I also believe that sampling or covering can bring an artist or their message to a whole new audience. There is value in raising the bar. As abhorrant as the hip-hop genre may be to you (it's not my favorite by far either) I do see some efforts to bring more class and understanding on both sides of the proverbial ''tracks'' e.g. Outkast or Prince.

I am fortunate enough to find empathy and affinity with an endless group of artists and cultures. The more I hear of the music and ideas of others, the closer our wave-lengths become. If ''we'' (euphemistically) understand each other it is harder for us to hate each other.

[Adey]

Al said:

However, I also believe that sampling or covering can bring an artist or their message to a whole new audience.

Yes. This was a point I intended to make but it got lost in the flow of words.

The more I hear of the music and ideas of others, the closer our wave-lengths become. If ''we'' (euphemistically) understand each other it is harder for us to hate each other.

And I certainly wouldn't dream of arguing against that.

[Xanadu]

Hey Al, I know you felt discouraged about this board not getting enough attention.

I'd really like to look back at some of the old playlists, being that my musical tastes have changed so much in the last year or more. Maybe you could revive this slowly, in a way that doesn't consume so much of your time. Just every so often, so we have some time to explore the music, add our thoughts and other suggestions. These were really inspired threads.

[Al Truest]

Thanks Zan. I was just thinking about starting a new list, as I have amassed quite a bit of new music in the past few weeks. Your nod here, as well as this, your most prolific day of posting that I can remember, will encourage me even moreso. I'll be back this evening to respond to your great posts.

[Xanadu]

Al said:

Thanks Zan. I was just thinking about starting a new list, as I have amassed quite a bit of new music in the past few weeks. Your nod here, as well as this, your most prolific day of posting that I can remember, will encourage me even moreso. I'll be back this evening to respond to your great posts.

LOL ;D ;D ;D Don't get too used to it! It's just a random collision of events today - rainy, tired & sick, and completely unmotivated at work to accomplish anything I have to do. ;D ;D I'm also enjoying my new glasses, which makes spending long hours typing here far easier on my eyes.

Honestly, if we are all making the effort, it does get easier, since you don't feel like your efforts are in vain. There were some great thoughts here to respond to from the weekend. I look forward to your responses, but don't feel any pressure.

[Al Truest]

You must be a demon during business hours. a real workaholic eh? Lord knows if you had a week off you'd catch me on posts. ;D

[Al Truest]

ps. We, thanks to your efforts and the resulting responses, are well over 40 posts today.