Subject: Of course music has color! Date: Sat, 03 Nov 2001 09:43:54 -0700 From: reynos The question: As far as "Black Music" is concerned why do we stll call it that? Some suggest that music had no color? If music didn't have color...music created by Black people would have never been prohibited from radio play. If music didn't have color...Black people would have been able to manufacture, market, distribute, broadcast, and actually OWN music created by Black people anywhere, anyplace, to anyone. If music didn't have color...Black people would not have been used, as in classic films from the 1930s to 1960s, as "splash acts" who appear only briefly at the end of the movie as court jesters and minstrels. If music didn't have color...there never would have been a need for Motown, Stax, Solar, Philly International or other formerly Black owned and operated reccord labels. If music didn't have color...there never would have been a need for Atlantic Records - a White owned and controlled subsidiary of Warner that specifically targets music for and of Black people (Can you say "Aretha Franklin?"). If music didn't have color...Little Richard would truly have been the "King of Rock and Roll" and Elvis would have been the court jester, the minstrel performer. If music didn't have color...Black people would not have been victimized for singing it (stolen by White people, discriminated for singing it, etc.). If music didn't have color...Frank Sinatra would not have had to threaten Las Vegas hotels that he would NOT perform unless they also allowed Sammy Davis, Jr., Sy Oliver and other Black musicians to stay in the same hotel where he also performed. If music didn't have color...Bob Davis would have named his web site "The Patrol.com" instead of the "Soul-Patrol.com." Of course, music has color because it reflects the ethnicity of any group of people - and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We should be open to consider and celebrate the music of any one person or group of people. And, just like an interracial marriage, it's often - but not always - wonderful when we see musical forms combined. But, given the aforementioned, it's most inappropriate to ignore the obvious. James Brown isn't Mozart. Classical isn't funk! Black isn't White. And yes, music DOES have color. Reynos   THE RESPONSE: Hello! Yes, I see your point but I do not agree with you. No matter how much music Elvis (and other White artists stole from Black performers) he did not capture the innate qualities that were and remain the catalyst for conveying the BLACK EXPERIENCE. White artists had access and opportunity because White people also control and own the companies, contracts, artists, distribution, marketing, manufacturing, research and development, licensing, publishing, retail, e-commerce, and airplay. If music had no color Little Richard's original music would have had equal access but he never, ever had a chance. Muddy Waters wasn't singing the blues to celebrate being treated fairly by White people and, like Pat Boone, the simple fact that a White artist "covers" Black music goes more to represent an opportunity to rip off and proliferate the exploitation of an untapped revenue source than an idealistic belief that music has an absence of color! There is a clearly defined ethnicity associated with every musical genré - and it cannot be ignored. Yes, Black people even sing classical music but not for one instance does anyone believe that Lyontyne Price (a Black woman) is conveying Puccini's White European experiences - that were the catalyst of his music - when she wonderfully "covers" classics like "In Questa Reggia" from Turandot. Like Elvis, Ms. Price is able to use her exceptional musicianship - her acting - to present the original qualities intended by the authors (lyricists and composers) of the song. We are, of course, ultimately talking about entertainment and we must not underestimate the importance and requirement of acting. For all intended purposes, Elvis (who I admire) did exactly the same thing Al Jolson did except he didn't wear a Black face! For sure, I can appreciate your idealism but the reality of the Black experience supersedes every facet of your position. Nevertheless, we can, of course, agree to disagree. Take care! I welcome your feedback. Trip Reynolds trip.reynolds@yahoo.com Reynolds' Rap Sat, 03 Nov 2001 © 2001-2021 Tripoetry. All Rights Reserved. First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.