Posted 3:36 PM by Paul
American Music

Tonight three things happened which reminded me of the greatness of American music

- Alice was practising Gospel in her room. She doesn't really like to sing much, but she has been chosen to do a couple of parts in the Peckham Goes Gospel show this Christmas. She is a little nervous and was learning her parts and playing the CD which had been loaned by her school. It sounded so inspirational that it could almost make you want to be a Christian again. The music lifted you up. She is singing with her classmate Samir. Samir is a Muslim

- The new Eminem video was played on TV. It is a corrosive track about the price blue collar America is paying for the Iraq War. The visuals are straight out of a graphic novel. Maus meets 8 Mile. The message is as strong and uncompromising as anything by Bob Dylan or Woody Guthrie. I have heard it once. I don't know the name of the track but I won't forget it. When it was over Heather and I looked at each and exchanged a look which said " Good God we don't like the msuic but we have just seen and heard something extraordinary" He wasn't singing about his crib or his ride or his Hos. He didn't claim to be a Playa Pimp. He was was giving us a narrative about modern America. The final sentiment for Bush was " Strap on an AK47 and go to Iraq if you want to impress your dad". It will be dismissed and ridiculed. As were Muhamed Ali and Bob Dylan. I am buying the album

- BBC4 showed an a documentary about the Beach Boys long lost Smile album which was resurrected at a live concert at the Royal Festival Hall in February 2004, not three miles from where I live. It was a reminder of the brilliance of the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Heroes and Williams, California Girls, Surfs Up, Good Vibrations. Choral masterpieces.

Alot of words are written about cultural imperialism contending that American Culture is dominant purely becuase of the power of marketing and the dollar. Much of American Music is dominant because it is the Best.