Robert Johnson was an American blues singer/musician born in Mississippi. His prominent recordings are from 1936-1937. Although he only lived until the age of 27 (died on August 16, 1938), he is a legend for his blues playing and has influenced many musicians, especially Eric Clapton. Robert Johnson is considered a master of blues particularly in the Delta blues style. It is said that Robert Johnson went to the crossroads (also one of his songs) and played the guitar. He met the Devil, then the Devil tuned his guitar and played a few songs. In exchange for his soul, the Devil taught Robert Johnson to play the blues.
One, of many, classic rock groups who had much influence from Robert Johnson was Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin played heavy, guitar-driven blues-rock. Their band consisted of guitar player Jimmy Page, singer, Robert Plant, drummer John Bonham, and bass player/keyboardist John Paul Jones. The band was together from 1968-1980. They disbanded after John Bonham’s death. Led Zeppelin’s music has influenced many musicians and their music remains very popular today.
The song I am choosing to compare and contrast is “Traveling Riverside Blues”, originally done by Robert Johnson and covered by Led Zeppelin. Robert Johnson’s version was recorded in 1937. On the other hand, Led Zeppelin’s version was recorded in 1969 but was not released until 1990. Both versions are unique, yet still hold similar characteristics.
Their are several characteristics of Led Zeppelin’s version of the song that CONTRAST Robert Johnson's original. The three most noticeable traits are the LYRICS, INTENSITY, and SPEED. Right away, you will notice how Led Zeppelin’s version reflects their blues-rock style. Its more in your face, louder, and faster paced. It sounds pretty ballsy and heavy. However, the lyrics are different in Led Zeppelin’s version. Its as though they paid more of a tribute to Robert Johnson. They use different TEXT from several of Johnson’s songs. For example, they use lyrics straight from “Traveling Riverside Blues”, but also incorporate lyrics from another one of his songs, “Kind Hearted Woman Blues”. By doing this, Led Zeppelin completely rearranged the order of his original song, added bits and pieces of other songs, and completely changed its SUBTEXT to put their own two cents into the song. Which is pretty cool when done right, which Led Zeppelin definitely did.
The AFFINITY of the two songs lies in the ORGANIZATION and RHYTHM. Both songs are in order and well structured. Once the songs start to get going, the rhythm stays consistent throughout the songs. Robert Johnson’s song is only guitar and Led Zeppelin’s version is a full band. However, the pattern of the songs remain the same throughout, other than the time Jimmy Page plays a fairly modest solo.
Overall, I think its interesting how Robert Johnson’s music has influenced other very well-known musicians. Robert Johnson is a legend and has laid down the grounding for blues.
Robert Johnson - Traveling Riverside Blues
Led Zeppelin - Traveling Riverside Blues
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Blog 1B
Mitch Ditkoff’s “14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas” is a motivational way to help you organize your thoughts and ideas. He teaches you the mathematics of creativity. Thinking all the time and trying to be creative can be incredibly stressful. From the moment you wake up until the time you sleep, and sometimes even while sleeping, ideas are running through your head. Ditkoff explains how to control the stress of idea-making by taking breaks or trying different techniques. What I like most about Ditkoff’s suggestions, is how he reinforces the trial and error aspects of creating. The three prompts I found most appealing are prompts eleven, ten, and seven.
Prompt # 11 - Brainstorm
Prompt #11 really stood out to me. I’m not a ‘rugged individualist’ but when it comes to creating, I like to have total control and full responsibility of the project. However, I think this is because the only time I’ve worked on group projects is in school. The groups are assigned, people are shy, some people aren’t committed and by the time you get comfortable with each other, the project is already being graded. Its a total clash. I am particularly shy in groups without really having any reason to be. I never fully surface my ideas to the group and I feel most members do the same. If groups were able to be chosen on our own, collaboration would be much more enjoyable and constructive because group members would be honest with each other. Unfortunately, the business world does not work like that and when it comes down to it, you will be placed to work with other creatives you may not get along with. For that reason, it is critical to be outgoing, constructive, and enthusiastic because one person escorted by these traits can make all the difference.
Prompt # 10 - Hang Out WIth Diverse Groups of People
I was really excited to see prompt ten. I agree with this prompt completely. It is very beneficial meeting and hanging out with diverse groups of people. One, it makes you a well-rounded human being. Two, it changes up your weekly routines. For instance, when you see the same people everyday, you start talking about the same things and start sharing similar opinions, eventually influencing each other for better or for worse. Three, you make connections. Being in a field that has a lot to do with who you know, its significant to be able to get along with, and relate, to all walks of life. Transferring from community college, it was easy to think of how many people you will meet, how everyone gets along, and everyone is down to hang. Well, its not like that. Most people get in there steady groups of friends and stay in their comfort zones until they graduate, and thats totally cool. However, I’m not really like that and never have been. Most college students here usually view “townies” as weird people. Two of the coolest dudes I’ve met here so far grew up and live in Athens, I celebrated New Years with them. Its really important to stretch your boundaries and branch out. Meet new people, its good for you.
Prompt # 7 - Listen to Your Subconscious
Listening to your subconscious. It seems way harder to tap into your subconscious than it sounds. I spend a large part of the day just thinking. My favorite time to think and go over my day is when I’m in the shower. Hot water and white walls, perfect conditions for thinking. The subconscious is a huge part of your actions, like why you decided to respond so negatively, why you responded so politely, why you always take a left instead of a right even though you will get there at the same time. Why? Well its our job as people to understand ourselves to our fullest amount, it just depends how far you want to go, or if you even want to try. Carl Jung believes that when you understand your conscious mind just as well as your unconscious mind, you will discover The Self. He also believes most people will never achieve The Self. Personally, I believe I have a pretty good grasp on how or why I react the way I do in most situations. I try to study my behavior and how I got there. Have I always reacted this way, has someone influenced me to think twice about it, has someone influenced me to think negatively about it? Analyzing is like a chisel that starts the crack on your ten foot self portrait. You’re the sculptor. At your own pace, you chisel away. The more you chisel, the more you realize that a huge rock can be broken down to create a pretty wicked piece of art.
Prompt question #11
What is the topic of your next group brainstorm? Who will you invite? Who will facilitate? When?
The next time I will be in a group brainstorm will be during the 48-hour shootout. I’m very excited for this. I’m doing it with my buddies who I’ve met through class. Real cool dudes and well-humored. We will receive the topic when the shootout starts. Its a total surprise topic but the team we have is real diverse and I think we will be able to create a pretty good short and if not, it will be fun making it. The shootout is the first weekend of February (if I’m not mistaken). Jimmy will be facilitating. He’s well-organized and has an apartment which will make this shootout much easier to work on. I’m pretty psyched to be be working with these people on such an active project.
Prompt # 11 - Brainstorm
Prompt #11 really stood out to me. I’m not a ‘rugged individualist’ but when it comes to creating, I like to have total control and full responsibility of the project. However, I think this is because the only time I’ve worked on group projects is in school. The groups are assigned, people are shy, some people aren’t committed and by the time you get comfortable with each other, the project is already being graded. Its a total clash. I am particularly shy in groups without really having any reason to be. I never fully surface my ideas to the group and I feel most members do the same. If groups were able to be chosen on our own, collaboration would be much more enjoyable and constructive because group members would be honest with each other. Unfortunately, the business world does not work like that and when it comes down to it, you will be placed to work with other creatives you may not get along with. For that reason, it is critical to be outgoing, constructive, and enthusiastic because one person escorted by these traits can make all the difference.
Prompt # 10 - Hang Out WIth Diverse Groups of People
I was really excited to see prompt ten. I agree with this prompt completely. It is very beneficial meeting and hanging out with diverse groups of people. One, it makes you a well-rounded human being. Two, it changes up your weekly routines. For instance, when you see the same people everyday, you start talking about the same things and start sharing similar opinions, eventually influencing each other for better or for worse. Three, you make connections. Being in a field that has a lot to do with who you know, its significant to be able to get along with, and relate, to all walks of life. Transferring from community college, it was easy to think of how many people you will meet, how everyone gets along, and everyone is down to hang. Well, its not like that. Most people get in there steady groups of friends and stay in their comfort zones until they graduate, and thats totally cool. However, I’m not really like that and never have been. Most college students here usually view “townies” as weird people. Two of the coolest dudes I’ve met here so far grew up and live in Athens, I celebrated New Years with them. Its really important to stretch your boundaries and branch out. Meet new people, its good for you.
Prompt # 7 - Listen to Your Subconscious
Listening to your subconscious. It seems way harder to tap into your subconscious than it sounds. I spend a large part of the day just thinking. My favorite time to think and go over my day is when I’m in the shower. Hot water and white walls, perfect conditions for thinking. The subconscious is a huge part of your actions, like why you decided to respond so negatively, why you responded so politely, why you always take a left instead of a right even though you will get there at the same time. Why? Well its our job as people to understand ourselves to our fullest amount, it just depends how far you want to go, or if you even want to try. Carl Jung believes that when you understand your conscious mind just as well as your unconscious mind, you will discover The Self. He also believes most people will never achieve The Self. Personally, I believe I have a pretty good grasp on how or why I react the way I do in most situations. I try to study my behavior and how I got there. Have I always reacted this way, has someone influenced me to think twice about it, has someone influenced me to think negatively about it? Analyzing is like a chisel that starts the crack on your ten foot self portrait. You’re the sculptor. At your own pace, you chisel away. The more you chisel, the more you realize that a huge rock can be broken down to create a pretty wicked piece of art.
Prompt question #11
What is the topic of your next group brainstorm? Who will you invite? Who will facilitate? When?
The next time I will be in a group brainstorm will be during the 48-hour shootout. I’m very excited for this. I’m doing it with my buddies who I’ve met through class. Real cool dudes and well-humored. We will receive the topic when the shootout starts. Its a total surprise topic but the team we have is real diverse and I think we will be able to create a pretty good short and if not, it will be fun making it. The shootout is the first weekend of February (if I’m not mistaken). Jimmy will be facilitating. He’s well-organized and has an apartment which will make this shootout much easier to work on. I’m pretty psyched to be be working with these people on such an active project.
Blog 1A
As a creative individual, like many, I’m constantly viewing real life as a frame. Either as a photograph or in motion. I decide what I like in the frame (my eyes) and what I would change in it. I view what I’m seeing in several different angles, wide shot, close-up, would I use a tripod?, or would I use a dolly track? Its a smart way to practice ideas while becoming a better observer. Unfortunately, I don’t always write my ideas down or act on them. I’m definitely trying to do so.
Moreover, my artwork and my personality are almost completely different. CONSCIOUSLY, I’m a pretty well-humored individual and not much gets to me, for example, MacGruber is probably one of my favorite / funniest movies created. On the other hand, my artwork is nothing like my personality. My photography is pretty high CONTRAST black and white, and I try to create a completely unusual time and space. I love the idea of timeless places. I’ve come to realize that my art is a way to tap into my SUBCONSCIOUS.
Overall, I’m not completely trying to create a meaningful, metaphorical piece. Honestly, I’m really trying for a “That’s cool!”.
Three Large inspirations to me are Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison, Guillermo del Toro and musically, I really like Modest Mouse.
Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison are both fine art photographers. I love seeing photographs shot on film just as much as using film to shoot with. Film is awesome. The development process is such a major part in photography and the use of digital takes away the genuine feel of photography as an art. Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison use complex darkroom techniques as well as sculpture and painting, clearly defining their photos from other well-known artists. They incorporate beauty, grieve, hope, confusion, and several other feelings into their images. In one series, they contrast a suited man and nature in the most compelling way. Its hard to tell whether the man is controlled by nature or if the nature controls the man. They are an inspiration to me because of their creative capability. When I’m having trouble creating or coming up with ideas, its easy to get lost in their photographs and really stretch my imagination. They allow me to realize it is possible to create the things I imagine.
Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite directors. After seeing Pan’s Labyrinth, I really realized where I would like my creativity to stand in film-making. The clashing of a harsh fantasy world and a coarse real world is remarkable. When Ofelia enters the fantasy worlds, TENSION is created. When she returns, there is a sense of RELEASE from the tension, but it is soon picked up again due to the obstacles she faces in the real world as well. Guillermo del Toro is an inspiration to me because he also allows me to realize I am able to create my imagination. His use of fictional croaky characters appeal to me most, as well as the escape from real world to a timeless imagination-constructed place. All elements in which I would like to include in my creativity.
Everyone has that one particular band that helps them enter a creative mindset, one band that will always put them in the right place. Modest Mouse is my musical inspiration. When I’m creating or thinking, I am usually listening to Modest Mouse. Each album is different and they each consist of common themes. For example, The Moon & Antarctica typically involves songs about outer space, both lyrics and music, and The Lonesome Crowded West seems to be a more personal, angry, depressing album. The reason I like Modest Mouse so much is because Isaac Brock is a lyrical genius. There is an incredible amount of SUBTEXT in his songs. In addition, the music underlying his poetry really emphasizes his points in his music.
Modest Mouse- Grey Ice Water
Whether its a photographer, director, or musical group, they all contribute to my creativity. With their help, I am able to realize there are no creative boundaries and if I work hard enough, I too will be able to create a piece of work that I can admire.
Moreover, my artwork and my personality are almost completely different. CONSCIOUSLY, I’m a pretty well-humored individual and not much gets to me, for example, MacGruber is probably one of my favorite / funniest movies created. On the other hand, my artwork is nothing like my personality. My photography is pretty high CONTRAST black and white, and I try to create a completely unusual time and space. I love the idea of timeless places. I’ve come to realize that my art is a way to tap into my SUBCONSCIOUS.
Overall, I’m not completely trying to create a meaningful, metaphorical piece. Honestly, I’m really trying for a “That’s cool!”.
Three Large inspirations to me are Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison, Guillermo del Toro and musically, I really like Modest Mouse.
Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison are both fine art photographers. I love seeing photographs shot on film just as much as using film to shoot with. Film is awesome. The development process is such a major part in photography and the use of digital takes away the genuine feel of photography as an art. Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison use complex darkroom techniques as well as sculpture and painting, clearly defining their photos from other well-known artists. They incorporate beauty, grieve, hope, confusion, and several other feelings into their images. In one series, they contrast a suited man and nature in the most compelling way. Its hard to tell whether the man is controlled by nature or if the nature controls the man. They are an inspiration to me because of their creative capability. When I’m having trouble creating or coming up with ideas, its easy to get lost in their photographs and really stretch my imagination. They allow me to realize it is possible to create the things I imagine.
Guillermo del Toro is one of my favorite directors. After seeing Pan’s Labyrinth, I really realized where I would like my creativity to stand in film-making. The clashing of a harsh fantasy world and a coarse real world is remarkable. When Ofelia enters the fantasy worlds, TENSION is created. When she returns, there is a sense of RELEASE from the tension, but it is soon picked up again due to the obstacles she faces in the real world as well. Guillermo del Toro is an inspiration to me because he also allows me to realize I am able to create my imagination. His use of fictional croaky characters appeal to me most, as well as the escape from real world to a timeless imagination-constructed place. All elements in which I would like to include in my creativity.
Everyone has that one particular band that helps them enter a creative mindset, one band that will always put them in the right place. Modest Mouse is my musical inspiration. When I’m creating or thinking, I am usually listening to Modest Mouse. Each album is different and they each consist of common themes. For example, The Moon & Antarctica typically involves songs about outer space, both lyrics and music, and The Lonesome Crowded West seems to be a more personal, angry, depressing album. The reason I like Modest Mouse so much is because Isaac Brock is a lyrical genius. There is an incredible amount of SUBTEXT in his songs. In addition, the music underlying his poetry really emphasizes his points in his music.
Modest Mouse- Grey Ice Water
Whether its a photographer, director, or musical group, they all contribute to my creativity. With their help, I am able to realize there are no creative boundaries and if I work hard enough, I too will be able to create a piece of work that I can admire.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Why I chose video production
Throughout high school and my first year of college, I worked a lot with darkroom photography. I've worked with small, medium, and large formats and made my own darkroom at home. During critique, instructors advised me to work with film or video because of similar resemblance. My photography was basically all studio type stuff in a controlled setting, with controlled light. All of my projects were also shot in sequence, which was another resemblance to film. It'll be a strange adjustment but I'm taking their advice 'n goin' fer it.
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