French swing -- or "Gypsy jazz" -- originated with a group called the Quintette du Hot Club de France, founded in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Because Reinhardt was from a gypsy family, the term stuck.
Perhaps the most important aspect of this early American-influenced jazz, was la pompe -- the way Reinhardt strummed the guitar, giving the 2nd and 4th beats a strong feeling, regardless of tempo. The harmonic and melodic components of this music is further described in the above link ...
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Fast forward to the 1970's.
Two & four have been hip for decades. In fact, one & three is downright corny.
But along came Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes with The Love I Lost in 1973. About thirty seconds into the tune, you can hear this, in the bass:
Perhaps the most important aspect of this early American-influenced jazz, was la pompe -- the way Reinhardt strummed the guitar, giving the 2nd and 4th beats a strong feeling, regardless of tempo. The harmonic and melodic components of this music is further described in the above link ...
***
Fast forward to the 1970's.
Two & four have been hip for decades. In fact, one & three is downright corny.
But along came Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes with The Love I Lost in 1973. About thirty seconds into the tune, you can hear this, in the bass:
This became known as four-on-the-floor, and would usher in the (ugh) Disco Era.
Now, it wasn't Harold's fault or poor Donna Summer's, either (she actually had a fabulous voice) -- but for a decade we had to listen to this music that got boring real quick, because there was nothing interesting going on above that pernicious beat.
**
I'm not big on much of the music being produced these days, as my three 30-something daughters will readily attest. But my oldest, roaming around the many concert stages at Coachella a few years ago (I imagine Charles Ives on a bad acid trip), heard a snatch of music from a band called Caravan Palace. She thought I might enjoy them.
I'm not big on much of the music being produced these days, as my three 30-something daughters will readily attest. But my oldest, roaming around the many concert stages at Coachella a few years ago (I imagine Charles Ives on a bad acid trip), heard a snatch of music from a band called Caravan Palace. She thought I might enjoy them.
It began with three talented French musicians -- violinist Hugo Payen; guitarist Arnaud Vial and bassist Charles Delaporte -- making a soundtrack for a silent porn film. Recruiting additional musicians on Myspace (yes, remember that thing?), they discovered the charming and talented lead singer, Zoé Colotis (named after a butterfly) -- and they were soon a world-wide success.
The musical trick that make my ears tingle (your's might not, chacun à son, you know?) is the combination of that heavy four-on-the-floor (much more bone-shattering than poor old Harold) with an ultra-intelligent upper region, filled with cool licks played by conservatory-trained musicians and very hip lyrics.
Sample from Miracle:
The musical trick that make my ears tingle (your's might not, chacun à son, you know?) is the combination of that heavy four-on-the-floor (much more bone-shattering than poor old Harold) with an ultra-intelligent upper region, filled with cool licks played by conservatory-trained musicians and very hip lyrics.
Sample from Miracle:
Every day is a miracle
(Help one another)
Connect back with the people
(Give it to your lover)
And all the people you miss
(Let's go already)
(Act like a brother)
Don't think you're invisible
(Help one another)
Connect back with the people
(Give it to your lover)
And all the people you miss
(Let's go already)
(Act like a brother)
Don't think you're invisible
Their videos are also astonishing:
I dare you not to get up and dance.
I never heard of this group before I read your article. And “astonishing “ is exactly the right word to describe the videos. I devoured them; one right after another v
Posted by: Amy Donow | November 26, 2022 at 03:04 PM