MUSI 2060 1st Edition Lecture 14Outline of Last Lecture I. James BrownII. Civil Rights Movement & Vietnam WarIII. Aretha FranklinOutline of Current Lecture I. Motowna. Originb. Record Labelsc. Artistsd. Characteristicse. Assembly LineII. Stevie Wondera. Early lifeb. Style (1970s & after 1972)c. SongsIII.Current Lecture- Motowno Created in Detroit (motor town motown) by Berry Gordy (1960) Realized he had to do things himself to get money Wanted to get away from gritty sound and improvisation of blues-“Money”: prototype of Gordy’s motown soundo Related record labels: Tammie (changed to Tamla, 1960) Motown: commercialized sounds of artists below Gordyo Representative Motown artists: The Temptations The Supremes (Diana Ross) The Jackson Five (William) Smokey Robinson and the Miracles- Very important figure in motown Marvin Gaye (solo, and with various women in duets-Tammi Terrell)These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Stevie Wondero Characteristics of Motown Sound (and appearance) A lead singer supported by backup singers Close vocal harmonies Voices predominant over instruments Band is very much in the background More polished sound than soul Not many instrumental riffs or vamps- No time because everything is very planned out Strong beat generally emphasizing all four beats in a measure equally (flatfour beat)- Band and others in studio stomping on ground to keep beat Some emphasis of backbeat, often with handclaps Very often uses a string orchestra in background In performances, very visually oriented with choreographed moves by backup singers (visual, not aural; not felt on recordings)o Song examples The Supremes “Where Did Our Love Go?” Smokey Robinsons “The Tears of a Clown”o The Motown “Assembly Line” Etiquette/Fashion: Maxine Powell- Women: evening gown/Men: tuxedos- Teaches how to speak (not cursing) and etiquette at table Choreography: Cholly Atkins- Teaches how to walk on stage (not turning back to audience)- Makes dance routine and hand motions for different songs House Band: The Funk Brothers- James Jamerson: bass, arranger- Earl Van Dyke: piano core- Bennie Benjamin: drums- Gives Motown acts a uniform sound (very important) Composition/Production- Smokey Robinson- Norm Whitfield- Eddie & Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier (Holland-Dozier-Holland) Gordy gets greedy and only pays salaries and not royalties- Starts decline because people start quitting when he won’t give them royalty cuts & also when he wants to move- Mid-1970s: declares bankruptcy- Stevie Wonder (b. 1950)o Child prodigy, first billed in 1960s as “Little” Stevie Wonder Other than that, had normal child life Puberty starts pushing him out of motown useo Career mainly takes off in 1970s Sign, Sealed, Delivered record was a huge hit Moves to Tamla recordso Style, 1970s High baritone/low tenor vocal range Heavy, rhythmic bass Tightly arranged horn section Percussive keyboards, especially synthesizers, clavinet Precise drumming Nice blend of gritty soul and polished motown (makes it work)o After 1972 Albums: Talking Book, Innervisions, Fulfillingness’ First Finale Songs are interconnected (not by lyrics) Lyrics embrace social, political, and mystical/spiritual concerns Studio is part of composition process, much overdubbing Increasing interest in electronic keyboards (synthesizers)o Songs “Fingertips” (Part 2)- First major hit single- Live recording “Superstition”
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