| Author |
Topic: Did RAP destroy Country Music? |
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 4:39 am |
|
Did RAP destroy Country Music?
It appears to me that over the last few years Modern Country Music has really changed for the worse.
I am not even talking about the heavily processed Drums, distorted guitars and lack of Pedal steel…
(That all began decades ago with the evolution of “Country Rock)
What I am talking about is the destruction of the melody, and the new staccato, syncopated vocals.
The new singing style, is all about rhythm, rapid fire rhymes in the middle of a verse, without much pitch variation.
In times past, the melodies were flowing lines, moving up or down the scale, chromatically or making beautiful jumps
And arpeggios following nice chord changes. The rhyming word landing pleasantly at the end of a phrase, and therefore
Solidifying the songwriter’s story line.
Rap style vocals have been adopted into all of the newer musical genres including Pop, Alternative, Contemporary Christian and
The “new†Country!
In addition to the melody, the chord progressions have been dumbed down, and in my opinion all sound the same… although
Many older country songs were just a simple I IV V, some were wonderfully crafted compositions like CRAZY by Willie Nelson.
As a singer these things trouble me because the tunes are not memorable, There is really no melody to hum to distinguish one
“song†from another. And as a Steel guitar player I lament the loss of the pedal steel’s sweet sound in today’s country music.
Indeed, there is very little left to distinguish “country†music from any other style except perhaps the vocalist’s Southern drawl.
Dom
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
|
|
 |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 4:49 am
|
|
I know I am in the extreme minority, but I really love a lot of Rap. In fact, in the late 80s, Rap replaced Rock for me. I am really enjoying Rap again lately, especially artists like Kendrick Lamar and Aceyalone. My kids are heavily into Drake (who I do not care for), and oddly enough I found out that Larry Graham of Sly & the Family Stone and Graham Central Station (2 of my most beloved groups) is his uncle.
That said, I do not care for hybrid music like that. I dig rap on its own terms, not shoehorned into another genre trying to capitalize on it.
The rhythmic element that you mentioned is one of the amazing qualities of it, but more importantly, the lyrics are often incredible. I find the message in the music way more interesting than listening to the bland lyrics that have dominated Pop music for decades.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 5:04 am
|
|
Mike; I must say that the control and articulation required to Rap effectively is quite a feat. It requires a lot of talent and a good groove.
As a musician I can recognize a real artist in any genre, but some styles are not my favorites.
To each his own. Music is constantly changing, and some of us still like the older styles.
Dom
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
|
|
|
Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 5:30 am
|
|
| Jerry Reed, singlehandedly, created rap...way back, in the sixties! Ha! |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 5:44 am
|
|
| Dom Franco wrote: |
Mike; I must say that the control and articulation required to Rap effectively is quite a feat. It requires a lot of talent and a good groove.
As a musician I can recognize a real artist in any genre, but some styles are not my favorites.
To each his own. Music is constantly changing, and some of us still like the older styles.
Dom |
It's OK to like the older styles and the newer styles. In fact, one of my favorite things to do in listening is to trace the lineage of music, like a musical anthropology, simply through listening.
I love music as an expression of the human condition. I am only one human, so I can't let my own experience disqualify all others. I will say, though, that wherever the big money is, that is where I am least likely to find things of interest.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 5:49 am
|
|
I've always enjoyed a great melody line. To each his/her own, but it doesn't seem like much of what makes it to commercial airplay these days could stand alone as an instrumental... It doesn't make it bad, it just doesn't get my attention  |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 6:22 am
|
|
Hmm... A rap pedal steel guitar instrument. It could be interesting, but then again, maybe not. Hearing one note picked over and over is probably not very exciting.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Dustin Rhodes
From:
Owasso OK
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 7:46 am Re: Did RAP destroy Country Music?
|
|
| Dom Franco wrote: |
I am not even talking about the heavily processed Drums, distorted guitars and lack of Pedal steel…
(That all began decades ago with the evolution of “Country Rock)
|
"Country Rock" typically refers to the stuff that started in California back in the 60's and 70's and I'd hate to think where pedal steel would be today without guys like Kleinow, Cage, Garcia, Young, Perkins, etc. |
|
|
|
Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 8:07 am
|
|
The genres seem to influence each other. Country was quite good in the eighties and so was R&B. Anita Baker, Angela Bofill. I'd rather think what did Rap do to Black Music. Bobby Womack would turn in his grave!
_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
|
|
|
Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 8:36 am Re: Did RAP destroy Country Music?
|
|
| Dom Franco wrote: |
Did RAP destroy Country Music?
What I am talking about is the destruction of the melody, and the new staccato, syncopated vocals.
The new singing style, is all about rhythm, rapid fire rhymes in the middle of a verse, without much pitch variation.
Dom |
Sounds like you've been hearing Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan. Bro Country is big on the not-quite-rap-but-yeah-sorta-rap schtick. And it's annoying. The loss of melody is sad. But did it start with rap? Think of Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere." |
|
|
|
Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 8:39 am
|
|
| Edward Rhea wrote: |
| Jerry Reed, singlehandedly, created rap...way back, in the sixties! Ha! |
Or was it Robert Preston in "The Music Man"?
Trouble in River City. |
|
|
|
Barry Blackwood
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 8:48 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| I dig rap on its own terms, not shoehorned into another genre trying to capitalize on it. |
There's where the rub comes in - the corporate shoehorning of rap into country in an effort to bolster what they see as country's waning relevancy, not to mention sell more product… It's the classic, "Let's throw it up against the wall and see what sticks" syndrome...
Last edited by Barry Blackwood on 9 Nov 2015 9:03 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Rick Stratton
From:
Tujunga, California, USA
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 9:03 am
|
|
Nipsey Russell never got the credit he deserved!
_________________
Jackson Pro-IV D-10, Fender Dual-Pro 8, Epiphone Zephyr-6 |
|
|
|
Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 9:04 am
|
|
| Dustin Rhodes wrote: |
| "Country Rock" typically refers to the stuff that started in California back in the 60's and 70's and I'd hate to think where pedal steel would be today without guys like Kleinow, Cage, Garcia, Young, Perkins, etc. |
I agree.
As to the orig. question "Did RAP destroy Country Music?" No. It imploded. Blew up from the inside out. The industry itself destroyed what we used to know as country music.
Look up CW McCall "Night Rider". That may have been the start of country rap. Difference is the message. I can actually listen to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYZ3i5UwI9Y&list=RDsYZ3i5UwI9Y |
|
|
|
Barry Blackwood
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 9:08 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| The loss of melody is sad. But did it start with rap? Think of Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere." |
Johnny Cash? I thought "I've been everywhere" was Hank Snow circa 1962. Guess my age is showing...  
Last edited by Barry Blackwood on 9 Nov 2015 9:10 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 9:09 am
|
|
| Barry Blackwood wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I dig rap on its own terms, not shoehorned into another genre trying to capitalize on it. |
There's where the rub comes in - the corporate shoehorning of rap into country in an effort to bolster what they see as country's waning relevancy, not to mention sell more product… It's the classic, "Let's throw it up against the wall and see what sticks" syndrome... |
That is exactly my problem with that type of hybrid.
They really don't belong together and in the process they hurt the really good stuff.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 11:10 am
|
|
| Barry Blackwood wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The loss of melody is sad. But did it start with rap? Think of Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere." |
Johnny Cash? I thought "I've been everywhere" was Hank Snow circa 1962. Guess my age is showing... |
Yep. Johnny Cash too.
"In 1962, the song was a number-one US country hit for American recording artist, Hank Snow.[2] The song was also recorded by Lynn Anderson (USA 1970), Asleep at the Wheel (USA 1973), Johnny Cash (USA 1996), Chip Dockery, Ted Egan, Little Jan Buckner of Wendy Bagwell & The Sunliters (USA 1972), the "Farrelly Brothers" from the television series The Aunty Jack Show (Australia 1974, a parody version, on the album Aunty Jack Sings Wollongong),[3] John Grenell (NZ 1966), Mike Ford (Canada, 2005), Rolf Harris (UK 1963), Clifton Jansky, The Sunny Cowgirls and the Statler Brothers. Harvey Reid also included the song in his Dreamer or Believer album."
But, I really prefer the Hank Snow version.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 11:49 am
|
|
I've got it! I've GOT it! Here's the PERFECT way to embrace rap AND put steel guitar BACK on the map! OK, are you sitting down?
RAP through the Alvino Rey/Buddy Emmons/Pete Drake TALKBOX on steel guitar! First guy or gal to put that together gets a hit record on their hands! I'm too busy or I'd go for it myself. Just DO It!
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 12:07 pm
|
|
You can always count on Jim to solve the world's problems.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Joseph Napolitano
From:
New Jersey, USA
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 7:41 pm
|
|
| Hick Hop. |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
|
|
|
Jamie Mitchell
From:
Nashville, TN
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 8:08 pm
|
|
| Richard Sinkler wrote: |
| Hmm... A rap pedal steel guitar instrument. It could be interesting, but then again, maybe not. Hearing one note picked over and over is probably not very exciting. |
http://youtu.be/phaJXp_zMYM
i play that melody on steel.
more than one note. |
|
|
|
Jamie Mitchell
From:
Nashville, TN
|
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 9 Nov 2015 10:02 pm
|
|
| Jim Cohen wrote: |
I've got it! I've GOT it! Here's the PERFECT way to embrace rap AND put steel guitar BACK on the map! OK, are you sitting down?
RAP through the Alvino Rey/Buddy Emmons/Pete Drake TALKBOX on steel guitar! First guy or gal to put that together gets a hit record on their hands! I'm too busy or I'd go for it myself. Just DO It! |
Afrika Bambaataa did it about 30 years ago. There is also a more advanced version of the talkbox called a vocorder. It has been used quite a bit in Hip Hop music since the beginning.
One thing to consider is that the "rap" music the current country guys are doing is even more stupid sounding and offensive to the guys into hip hop than it is to classic country guys. Comparing pop country rap to actual hip hop is like comparing Olive Garden to a real restaurant in Milan.
_________________
Bob |
|
|
|
Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
|
Posted 10 Nov 2015 2:05 am
|
|
A few things to note.
Rap and country in fact other forms of rhyming vocally on/off beat syncopated or not exist in ALL genres.
When is the last time you've seen a musical/opera.
Anyway rap didn't offend black music. The rap artists had no access to INSTRUMENTS cause the first class to get cut in black inner city areas was MUSIC.
So understand from the forward thinking Bop generations there was a disconnect.
Also regardless of what you think music is a LANGUAGE and just like any language it develops and changes. It is impossible to remain stagnant. If it did it would be like speaking in Latin.
Clemens est un via
Just remember we love the language of music and some people have the right to use different dialects. It doesn't spoil it rather it adds a new approach.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
|
|
|
