Propaganda 2011

In my opinion one major example of propaganda in the news this year has been all of the revolutions in Arab countries.  There has been a large amount of news coverage, and I think that newscasters put a little too much emphasis on the violence, even though there has been little.  Also there is emphasis on how the old regimes were U.S. allies, and the new regimes might not be good for America.  Also, the fear of non-U.S. allies forming the governments of these new countries seems perfect for the politicians and people who want the Patriot act renewed, (which is currently being debated in Congress) because when there is uncertainty, instability, and fear, some people would rather feel safe and secure, even if some personal privacy is invaded.

RAMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One reason I like watching Beat Street, is because it takes place in the mid to late 1980's, a time period when Hip-Hop and Rap were just evolving, with new artists like Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Eric B. & Rakim, Young MC, Slick Rick, and N.W.A.  These Hip-Hop artists were so much better than the average rappers today (excluding Eminem, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and the select few good ones), because back then Hip-Hop was mainly political and from the heart, and brought up issues and problems in the lives of the poor living in bad conditions, and unfairness and racism that many had to deal with.  Also back then, MC's would make beats that were sampled form a multitude of songs, and then used great methods like scratching, and then all mashed together to make a catchy, widely popular sound, unlike today where many try to make their own, but they just aren't that good.  Hip-Hop artists also incorporated complex rhyme schemes into their music, so they could be taken seriously, and not just ignored, for example, in the song "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy, Chuck D used a dactylic hexameter (a type of phrasing used in Homer's epic poems), and raps that Hip-Hop was a legitimate type of music, and was on the same level of complexity of Rock.  Because of these artists, rap today is a hugely sucessful and popular industry.  

Is Richard the only Hungry One?

I think that Richard isn't the only hungry person in this novel.  Richard is the hungriest by far, he is hungry for attention, knowledge, food, and in a way hungry for rebellion.  Richard immediately kills the cat when his father tells him so, and then tries to use the leverage that his father told him to, so he does not get in trouble, this is another example of how he is hungry for knowledge too, as he does not know what a dead cat will be like.  Then he tries to run away and leave the orphanage, and he doesn't want to have anything to do with the main caretaker. Also, quite literally his brother and mother are hungry.  I think that his brother is also hungry for attention, and his brother has a hunger for knowledge.  His mother is also hungry for attention, because she misses her husband and wants him to come back, and they are all hungry for love, which they lost a lot of when their father left them.  I think that his father is hungry for attention also, he tries to get his kids to be with him, but he will not support them if they are still living with there mother.  Overall there are various elements of hunger in this novel expressed by all of the characters.

American Journalists

This article was on how journalists are supposed to just report the facts without any bias at all or any other influences to their reporting.  This can be a real challenge to one's thoughts or ideas and to one's nationality and patriotism.  This was one factor in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, some reporters tried to stick with the no opinion standpoint, and were then battered by critics for not siding with the American people, which was not the reporters intentions at all, they were just misjudged, and taken the wrong way.  Personally, if I were a reporter, I would find if very hard to not put in my opinion to something like 9/11, which was a devastating and traumatic event, and I probably would put in my opinion.  Some reporters now have to worry about the outcome of what exactly they say now, because in this world, communication is international, and it could not be good if one criticizes a certain government or regime, because even though reporters are usually not targeted, they could be in danger in a certain government for what they say.  Being a reporter is probably a very exciting job, but it does come with risks.

Chief Seattle Speech

This speech/letter, written by Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Indians, was in response to a letter from the President to buy his lands for American settlers.  He says how can you sell something, like air and land, if you do not own it, and he makes many refrences to thier god, and the white man's god, and how the white man's god loves them, but punishes the Native Americans, so they can't be children of "that" god.  He goes on to say that every part of the world is sacred to the Native Americans and that they value all of it, and men cannot own the earth, it owns them.  He is saying that putting a price on land isn't right, and that everybody should live in peace, but then goes on to say how the white man is always being violent, and that they will destroy everything sacred to the Native Americans, and that it will be the end of living for them, and the beginning of survival.  He then goes on to say when the last Indian dies, will there be any more memories of his people and traditions.  He then goes on to say if they sell the land, love it and don't ruin it and deface it, because it is sacred to the white man too.  He then ends the passage by saying that all men are brothers.  This passage is mainly a critique of Americans taking land, and just throwing the Indians aside, and not caring about them.  I found this passage very deep, and shows that our anscestors were very inconsiderate of Native American lands and traditions.

The Rolling Stones

Rolling Stones Logo used from 1970- onward

Early History
Formed in a London pub in 1962, the Rolling Stones became one of the most popular bands in the world, surpassed only by the Beatles, and reffered to through the years as the greatest rock and roll band in the world.  They were formed as a British blues band a genre that was becoming popular at the time by Mick Jagger and Keith richards, who formed a songwriting partnership just like Lennon/McCartney.  They then recuited Bill Wyman for bass, Charlie Watts for drums, and Brian Jones as a harmonica player and rythm guitarist, with Jagger being lead singer and Richards being lead guitar.  Their first album, released in 1963, "The Rolling Stones" (or in the U.S. as "England's Newest Hitmakers") featured a few covers such as "Carol" "Route 66", and "Not Fade Away", and soon became popular across the Atlantic.  In 1964 they released "The Rolling Stones No. 2" recorded right here in Chicago at Chess Records Studio, became popular with "Time is On My Side" and "Little Red Rooster", popular blues covers.  They finally reached thier worldwide success in 1965 with "The Last Time" thier first No. 1 Billboard hit, and followed with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", also reaching No. 1, which is now reffered to by music critics as one of the greatest songs of all time.  Between this time and the relese of thier next album, they released many popular singles like "Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing In the Shadow?", and "19th Nervous Breakdown".  In 1966 they relesed thier next album "Aftermath" which starting expoloring with Indian and psychedelic sounds with "Paint it Black" one of the first songs with a sitar used, also popular on this album was "Mother's Little Helper" another pshychedelic song that had to deal with perscription drug abuse, "Under My Thumb", and "Lady Jane" which featured an appalachian dulcimer played by Brian Jones, who was an influential multi instrumentalist, who also played sitar.  Their next album in 1967 was "Between the Buttons" further exploring psychedelia with "Please Go Home" and also going into pop music with "Ruby Tuesday" and more rock and roll with "Lets Spend the Night Together."  In mid 1967 Jones, Jagger, and Richards were arrested for signifiacnt amounts of pot, and acid, but released by a judge who was a fan of thier music, and because fans were angered by their jailing.  In response to this the Stones released "We Love You" a bluesy psychedelic song.  In december of 1967 they released "Their Satanic Majesties Request" which they went full out in crazy psychedelia, with most songs being over 6 or seven minutes, and only a few minor hits "She's a Rainbow", "2000 Man", "2000 Light Years from Home", and "In Another Land", the latter being sung by the bassist Bill Wyman, and the first without Mick Jagger singing.  The album went to No. 2 but critics didn't like the Stone's drastic change.  In 1968 they got a new producer, Jimmy Miller, and released the hugely popular single "Jumpin' Jack Flash" which was a return to the Stones' blues and rock & roll roots, and the subsequent album "Beggars Banquet" later in 1968.

Jumpin' Jack Flash Single

Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)

1968-1974
This time period is regarded as the highlight of the Rolling Stones career, starting with the release of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and ending with Mick Taylor's resignation (I'll get to him later in the blog)

Beggars Banquet
This album is regarded as the Stones comeback to rock and roll, and the widespread popularity.
On this album "Sympathy for the Devil" is the most recognized, and regarded as one of their best songs made.  It is built up from a piano riff with African drums and maracas, with great lyrics and the famous "whoo whoo's" and an amazing guitar solo in the middle performed by Keith Richards.
The next song "No Expectations" is a bluesy song with great slide guitar playing by Brian Jones.
Blues is explored more with "Dear Doctor" and "Parachute Woman".  On the next side of the album is "Street Fighting Man" a hard sitar driven protest song with Indian influences again played by Brian Jones.  After it are two great tracks "Prodigal Son" and "Stray Cat Blues" the first an acoustic blues and the latter with a gritty rock sound.  The album ends with "Salt of the Earth" with vocals by Jagger and Richards, the first to feature Keith Richards.

In mid-1969 Brian Jones started becoming erratic because of drug use, and drowned in a swimming pool due to drug related effects, shortly after being fired from the band.  He was succeeded by Mick Taylor, a 19 year old guitarist recommended by a fellow bluesman who he played for, John Mayall.
In July 1969, 1 day after Jones' death the Stones released "Honky Tonk Women," the first song Mick Taylor played on.

Let It Bleed
This album is one of the 4 albums released in succession viewed as their best (Beggar's Banquet, Let It Bleed, Stick Fingers, and Exile on Main St.) and is referred to as their first or second best, and my personal favorite.  This is the last to feature Brian Jones who was fired in mid-recording, and then died a few weeks later, and the first to feature Mick Taylor.  Im going to start off saying every single song on this album is great, so I'm going to make it brief and if you listen to it, listen to the whole thing.
It starts off with "Gimme Shelter" a protest to the Vietnam War, and used in many movies associated with the era.  The nest are "Love In Vain" a cover of a Robert Johnson song, and "Country Honk" and country version of "Honky Tonk Women."  Then there is "Live With Me" and the title song "Let It Bleed." The second side starts with "Midnight Rambler", (my favorite Stones song tied with Jumpin' Jack Flash), a harmonica driven song based on the Boston strangler.  The next is "You Got the Silver" Keith Richards' first lead vocal, and definitely his best song. Following that is "Monkey Man" a song that is well known from "Goodfellas" and the last being "You Can't Always Get What You Want" led by a choir in the beginning and generally a nice feel good song.

Sticky Fingers
This album, released in 1971 was the Stones' decade enterer, led by the successful but controversial single "Brown Sugar", the single and album both hitting No. 1.  This album had a few popular acoustic hits, "Wild Horses", a slow nice song with Richards and Taylor both playing, "You Gotta Move" a Mississippi Delta blues inspired song, with Mick Jagger emulating a southern Delta accent, "Sister Morphine", a song dealing with drug abuse, and "Moonlight Mile" made by Jagger and Taylor, is regarded as the Stones best ballad.  They also had a few rock hits such as "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", "Bitch", and "Sway" the last being another credited to Mick Taylor.
In early 1972 the Rolling Stones had to flee Britain, as they had become tax exiles, from paying no taxes at all to the government, and stayed in Keith Richards' villa in southern France, where they recorded Exile on Main St.

Exile on Main St.
This album is regarded by critics as the Stones' most influential and best album, and in 2004, it was placed No. 7 in Rolling Stone Magazine (no connection to the band) in their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.  It starts off with "Rocks Off" and "Rip this Joint" followed by "Shake Your Hips", (which in turn inspired ZZ Top to make "La Grange") and "Tumbling Dice" one of most well known songs and most recognizable on the album.  "Sweet Black Angel" is a calypso inspired song about an arrested Black Panther, and "Loving Cup", one of their few piano driven songs, and "Happy" another Keith Richards song.  "Turd on the Run" "Ventilator Blues" All Down the Line" and "Stop Breaking Down" are other great songs off this album.

Goats Head Soup
This album was released in 1973 and featured the No. 1 acoustic hit, "Angie" and another popular was "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" a funk influenced song.  One of their raunchiest, dirty and controversial songs is also on this album, the track "Star Star" which the title had to be edited to be included on the album, but nonetheless has a great rock sound.

It's Only Rock and Roll
In 1974 they released this album led by the popular "It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)" and "Ain't Too Proud Too Beg" a Temptations cover.  In 1974 Mick Taylor quit because he wasn't receiving any songwriting credits and he contributed hugely to this album. In 1975 he was replaced by Ronnie Wood, the lead guitarist from the Faces.


1974- to Present
Black and Blue
This album released in 1976 got terrible reviews and I think there is only one O.K. song "Fool To Cry"

Some Girls
This album is the Stones comeback album released in 1978, and their last "really good" album.  It starts off with "Miss You" a disco song followed by "Some Girls", "When the Whip Comes Down", and "Respectable".  "Beast of Burden" one of the Stones best songs is on this album, and led to its success.  The last track is "Shattered" a punk themed song about New York City


Emotional Rescue
This album in 1980 featured only one O.K.-ish rock song "She's so Cold" the rest were pretty bad attempts at disco songs.

Tattoo You
In 1981 they released this album backed by "Start Me Up" a huge success, and other songs like "Slave" a blues jam type, both conceived in the 70's and finally recorded on this album. 


Later Years
After this the Stones made pretty terrible music, and released their most recent album in 2005, but they released a song "Hurricane", which I think is not that bad, and performed by Richards, about Hurricane Katrina, with all benefits going to the relief effort. the Rolling Stones performed at Superbowl XL in 2006. Today they are around and still touring.


A Few Songs

Jay and Nick

Jay Gatsby and Nick Carroway have an intersting relationship, that I think has many levels.  The only reason Jay is so very intersted in befriending Nick is that Jay is in love with Nick's cousin, Daisy, and wants somebody who knows her very well to re-introduce the two.  On the other hand when they first met, Jay seemed to be very friendly to Nick, and he at first didn't know that Nick and Daisy were related.  Jay starts showing Nick around the city and to meet people he knows, and the two seem to get along very well and become good friends.  When Nick first brings Daisy to his house Jay starts to freak out a little, and Nick pulls him together, in a way one would usually do with a good friend, Jay gets his mojo together, and shows Daisy around his house and estate, which impresses her very much.  When Nick keeps on making advances to leave the two alone, they both ask him to stay, as both Jay and Daisy know Nick, and in Jay's point of view, he was asking Nick to just help him out a little, like nowadays saying something like "hey dude, I just need a little support to get this girl, then you can leave." Jay even offers Nick a better job that can get him better money than he is making.  Overall, I think that they are starting to form a genuine freindship, and Jay might not only hang around with Nick just because of Nicks relationship with Daisy.  This great book just keeps on getting better, Fitzgerald really know how to write!