Alternative Music: James Blunt Stay the Night

Predictably middle-of-the-road offering from James Blunt- but really, it can't be criticized as a song. It is well-written and polished in every respect. Not my thing at all but I appreciate professionalism when I hear it and this ticks all the boxes. I've never liked his voice- but then I don't like Phil Collins' voice either and look at how many records he sold over the years. There will always be MOR music and as long as it sustains a respectable standard, as shown in this example then I have no objections. But I won't be reaching for the download button.

Negative Impact of Music Videos

Music videos are produced to entertain the viewer. They are shown in televisions and cinema films. They are meant to entertain both the young and the old. It has been found that instead of its entertaining purpose there are several negative impacts these movies have imposed on the youths. This is because of the impressionable picture they create on the minds of youths. These negative effects include its highlights on how it relates to self esteem and thinness of people. It also influences the sexual activities of teenagers. These videos influence the use of alcohol and marijuana including the aggressiveness and violence among youths. Some youths are committing suicide while others shooting their fellows. The Purpose of this paper is therefore to prove that there is a negative influence youths derives from music videos.
Negative influences youths derives from music videos
According to Kirstetin (2005) music with negative lyrics and videos can influence the minds of child who is developing, therefore parent need to get involved by also listening and watching music videos but cannot apply any force to make them like a particular music video or song. For parents to achieve this, they can educate them to shy away from negative messages and to also focus their minds so that when they grow up they will only concentrate on positive music and media. Youths as they grow develop certain characters based on the environment. Music and videos is part of current life youths are exposed to. They cannot be kept a way from them because even if you deny them access in the house, they can still access them may be on their way to school or shopping centre and moreover there are several commercial cinema where you can pay and watch. It is clear that what should be done is to teach them on how to concentrate on movies which are entertaining and educative. To have a broader understanding of the negative impression that music videos create on youths, much details are as follows.
Music videos instill spirit of violence on youths
Music videos instill spirit of violence on youths. According to Steve (2006) there has been great concern over the effects of music videos on aggressiveness on youths but the research has not been extensive enough. The little research that was conducted was based on outlook of aggressiveness and perceptions. According to Steven (2006) there is no research that has been done relating violent music and aggressive behavior on youths.
According to research by Greeson and William (1986) on effect of violence in music videos on youths, where he watched a video with a combination of sex features, violent and rebelliousness together with 10 year old and a 7 year old for about thirty minutes. The result showed it was not complimenting attitude of violence on the younger grader but instilled spirit of violence on the older grader. It was not possible to establish which among the three features of violence, sex and rebellion would have contributed to aggressiveness on the older grader.  Another study was conducted by John, Jackson and Gatto (1995) to evaluate how violent rap music affects adolescent aged males. They used forty six teenage boys of ages ranging from eleven to sixteen. The boy ware dived into three groups. The first group was showed non violent rap music videos. The second group was showed violent rap music where as the third group were not showed any video. It was found that children who watch music with violent feature developed attitude of aggressiveness. It is therefore clear that watching of violent music movies make adolescent aged group develops the attitude of using violent when trying solving problems. According to Steve (2006) a study conducted among college student showed that when they watch these violent music movies, they develops the feeling of annoyance and also make them have the spirit of aggressiveness.
According to AcaDemon (2003) it was also noted that so much money is use to produce these music videos but one other best selling ingredient is the violence which is always focused on women. It therefore means that the consumers taste is the violence which is featuring within that particular video show. The study also found out that the use of violence in the raps and video music has a greater contribution to several occurrences of vicious behavior among the youths in the United States.
According to Jerome (2000) there are a number of factor that has affected youth in relation to video music. It has affected the social interaction of the youths. These videos have also influence of the school performance of these teenagers. It has affects on the examination ability, emotional reactions and mood of the youths (Christenson & Robert 1998). It is also clear that most of these popular music focuses on attitude and behavioral impact of the youth. For instance, ‘when I want you in my arms, all I have to do is dream' (Everly Brothers, 1958). The listener and the viewer will picture on the message and mood created by such a song and most of them will respond depending on the tone and message conveyed. It is also clear according to Jerome (2000) that even though these music videos with negative impact in youth are few in number, they play a great role in influencing behavior such as sexual habits, spirit of violence, suicide incidences, racism among the blacks and whites, and Satanic behaviors.
How it influences sex activity in youths
According to Nielsen Media Research (1993) more than seventy percent of the Americans were access to cable television therefore most teenagers would watch these music videos from their homes. The study which was done on the composition of these videos shows that seventy five percent contain materials which are related to sex. Music videos influence sex activities in various ways. Within these videos, it portrays various features which are eventually being imitated by teenage girls. These features being copied include the unique sexy dressing style and certain sexy moves. According to Research Assistance (2009) that frequent viewing of these sexy movies by female teenagers will make them develop curiosity to imitate these behaviors which further have effect on their male counter parts. The mode of dressing and body movement portrayed by these videos are so tempting that if are imitated by the teenage girls, they will affect the male boy in that most male are enticed by seeing certain images suggesting to be directed towards sex. This will further make them engage in premarital sex will will perpetuate the spread of HIV and AIDS. They are also certain picture of necked females with only pants dancing in these videos. These ladies are not only necked but also dancing in a sexy manner. All these will influence the way a teenager thinks. They will try to behave in the same manner which will finally ruin their lives. Teenage boys have their hormone very active and when they get exposed to such videos their body starts to react in response to what is seen which will then drive them to experiment and that is very dangerous to their future lives.
Rap music videos have contributed to racism in the United States. According to Zillmann and Colleagues (1995) they perform an experiment on how politically radical rap music would influence race and its related political attitude. They performed their experiment using rap music video showed to both white teenagers and African a merican teenager. They used three different type of rap videos which includes a popular rock video, rap video music which is non political and a rap video music which is extensively political. The outcome was that white teenager were influenced by political rap video message and supported for the abolishment of racism and called for racial accord as was advocated by the African American singer. This was contrary to the expectation because most people claim that radical rap music always instill the spirit of racism in the white teenager.
The influence of music videos on suicides and Shootings
The influence of rap music videos to suicide and shooting has also raised several issues. This is because of the fact that there has been rampant suicidal acts and shooting of their fellows among the teenage school pupils. It is a fact that a several teenagers have been victims of suicide and the research shows that most of this suicidal act takes place immediately after watching these popular music videos. It is also a fact that rampant shooting among teenage school pupils have occurred. These shootings are attributed from fans of popular music such as Marilyn Manson as well as the popular goth rock. These gangster rap may be said to be the cause of the incidence of rampant shooting but in real situation most of these fans normally enjoy their stuff without threatening their fellows. Most people have diverted their thought and argued that the cause of the suicide and shooting in schools is caused by factors such as when there is despair and teenagers' accessibility to these guns and drug abuse (Jerome, 2006).
According to a journal by Colorado Holistic (2005) it was found that music videos and have influence on teenage body image. It found to have greater impact that would take place within a short time. Teenage girls who watch these videos will develop what is called eating disorder. The research shows that almost one thousand five hundred teenagers ranging from grade 8 to grade 11 who are exposed to these videos develop the behavior of slimming whereas boy teenagers became influenced to develop masculine body. According to Marika Tiggemann, there is enough evidence that a typical female model to day is weighing twenty percent less than the standard weight. It was also noted that most of these underweight ladies are diagnosed with a condition known as anorexia nervosa. It is therefore true that the short time spent by these teenagers watching these videos pose great danger to their lives because of their curiosity to imitate the message and action (Colorado Holistic, 2005). It is therefore noted that these videos conveys messages which are harmful to the health of the youths.
There is also the issue of pregnancy and drug abuse among youths. Most of these videos portray images of drug addicts. The reggae video music is directly spreading the message of devil worshiping. These teenagers have copies their way of life. Most of these teenagers are lured in to smoking of marijuana which is a very dangerous behavior. Marijuana is a very dangerous drug such that when smoked would finally destroy the normal brain functioning of the victim. Because the brain cannot function normally, the victim will end up being engaged in criminal acts such as robbery with violence. It is also clear that there are certain attires which depict a reggae man. These teenagers go as far as imitating the dressing styles of a reggae man (Pediatrics 1996). It is therefore clear that it is the responsibility of the parents to help in straightening the live of teenagers not by denying them access to these videos but through offering constructive advice to them on what is wrong and what is right. This should be done at the right time, in the right place and in the right manner.
Music videos have also been found to be of great importance to among teenagers. This is because these music videos help the distinguish the borders of social life and sub cultural lives. According a survey that was done in a bout two thousand seven hundred and sixty aged from fourteen years of age to sixteen years of age which were coming from southeast cities in Sweden it indicated that they were able to listen to music for a period of a bout forty hours every week. A Swedish study also showed that children who became used to these music and videos at early age would easily be influenced by their peers than their parents as contrary to older teenagers. Not all music videos are dirty because some are educative especially the sacred video music which have also been into the market for sometime though not like by many (Scribd, 2009).
Conclusion
As much as some video music are educative, the disadvantages over weighs the advantages. It is therefore clear that video music have greatly affected the behavior of youth. It has developed bad behaviors in youth such as ladies tying to slim up; teenage boys trying to body build themselves. They also develop the behavior of smoking tobacco and marijuana. They do not stop there but some go a head to develop the behavior of aggressiveness. Others committing suicide and even killing their fellows. To reduce these problems Parent educate their kids at a tender age to grow responsibly.

Alternative Music : Truth Revealed on Hotel California

Hotel California is a music album which was released in the month of December in the year 1976 and it depicts the emotional exhaustion of the West Coast when the love and peace converted into Sceptical pleasure seeking. It was a soundtrack of immoral times and yet was able to sell about 16 million copies or may be more. This album is given by a band that has matured and learned the hard way that is by continuously touring for five years and constantly giving hit records. It is said by many famous personalities that this album explores the bottom of success and the dark side of paradise.

It is the title song of an album given by Eagles by the name of Eagles itself. It is one of the very popular songs from a rock oriented album. The original recorded voice in the title song is of Don Henley who himself had written the lyrics of the song. He has sung in lead voice while concluding the song with the music of electric guitar which was interplayed between Don Felder and Joe Walsh. This song was on the top 100 playlist of Billboard for a whole week in May 1977. The group crossed all the boundaries of rock with their music all over the world.

The band of Eagles got disbanded in 1982 and left behind a musical void which could only be filled by this spectacular album Eagles and became the world's most loved album due to this title song Hotel California. The Eagles had ruled the music world in the decade of the 70s. They had achieved a whole lot of Platinum and Gold records, a number of awards and maintained the constant demand of music and live performances. Now, the latest six most respected and multi talented groups of musicians present a recreation of the song in their own versions.

Hotel California is the most recognized song among all classic rock songs and even among the complete Eagles collection. It narrates the story of a person who is driving through the highway and stops at a hotel for taking some rest when he gets tired but the hotel turns out to be a great pleasure place having a disturbing story. The people do not try to understand the actual meaning of the lyrics and generally figure out that the hotel would really be a lovely place and only if the song is heard carefully it can be well understood that there is a dark side of the hotel which is being talked about. The album contains a lot of other chart busters also like One of These nights, Take it Easy, Heartache Tonight, Take it to the Limit, Lyin' eyes, New Kid in Town, Witchy Woman, Desperado, Tequila Sunrise, Best of my Love and Life in the Fast Lane and many more recent releases like Love will keep us Alive and Get Over It. The Eagles music touched the bottom of the hearts of a whole generation.

Alternative Music : Bluenote Records - a Foundation of Jazz

In the annals of music history, certain names rise above the rest. In the 1940s, jazz exploded into American pop culture backed by the vision of two men, who believed in its complex rhythms, soaring melodies and mathematical chord progressions. Putting out nearly numerous undying jazz vinyl, Blue Note Records would soon take its rightful place as one of the primary forces in pushing both jazz's popularity and development.

Founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis, Blue Note instantly grew into a force in the world of jazz. A 1939 session with pianists Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis in a rented studio was the pair's first venture into recording and jazz vinyl. Conventional "hot" jazz and boogie-woogie were the label's first releases. Blue Note's first hit - the infectious performance of "Summertime" by saxophonist Sidney Bechet, which Bechet had been unable to record for the recognized companies - proved to be a breakthrough in the early days of jazz vinyl.

In Blue Note's earliest days, musicians were frequently supplied with alcohol as they recorded late into the night after their evening's work in the clubs and bars. The label quickly became famous for treating musicians unusually well, arranging sessions sometimes that were convenient to working musicians and giving them freedom and input as to the record's production.

While World War II proved to be a disruption to Blue Note's development, by late 1943, the label was back in business recording musicians and supplying jazz vinyl to the armed forces. Willing to record artists and styles that majority of other labels easily passed over, Blue Note brought some of the best musicians the U.S. has ever made to the forefront of the national music scene.

Through the 1940s and 50s, Blue Note found themselves at the forefront of the bebop and hard bop sounds, delivering them around the world on now-legendary jazz vinyl LPs. During the same era, iconic names like Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Hank Mobley, Lou Donaldson and Sonny Rollins all cut sides for the label or sat in as session players. Those recordings, still considered to be the best jazz ever recorded, stand as a witness to Blue Note's reach and influence.

The commercial feasibility of jazz came into questions also while America changed in the coming decades. Blue Note records lay dormant by 1979. But, EMI purchased the company that still owned Blue Note and launched an assertive reissue strategy in 1985. These days, the renaissance's remains in full swing as many of the class jazz vinyl reissues have become mainstays in vinyl albums' resurrection.

Duck Sauce - Barbara Streisand: Armand van Helden

This is what you might call a 'fun' record- party music if you like. I've heard a lot better from Armand van Helden as a remixer (notably the excellent 'Spin Spin Sugar' remix) but I'm sure his intention here was more commercial than artistic- can't blame the man for wanting to make a buck, can we?
The video is quite watchable and entertaining but you wouldn't be able to watch is more than, say, twice without getting a bit irritated. And the 'Ooh ooh' hook would probably have an even shorter shelf-life. But what the hell. It's harmless pop.

Alternative Music: Jimi Hendrix

There is no doubt that a lot of people have heard of Jimi Hendrix. He truly is one of the most revered guitar players in the music industry. He has developed a following that stretches until today. You will often see shirts and hear his records being played or recommended, favorited even by some music enthusiasts of this generation.

Jimi Hendrix or Johnny Allen Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942 in Seatlle. His father changed his name to James Marshall Hendrix after returning from the war. This name was in honor of his uncle Leon Marshall Hendrix.

His childhood was said to unstable. He was also said to be deprived of the attention. He spent some time in welfare care. He started practicing his guitar skills on an unstringed broomstick and also a one-stringed ukulele. His first “guitar” cost him five dollars, that was well, a makeshift guitar. But his first real guitar was a Supro Ozark that was white. His father gave it to him when he realized that Jimi had real guitar slashing potential.

But poor Jimi did not have an amp. And he didn’t see that as an obstacle. He started learning by watching other guitar players and listening to guitar records. He was influenced by his father’s listening to Muddy Waters and BB King. And that should be the reason why his songs were sprinkled with the blues style of playing. He was very much of an extrovert as a player. And his showing off got him kicked out of his first band.

He jumped from band to band from there. And after he served as a paratrooper, he began working as a session guitar player for Little Richard, Sam Cooke and the Isley Brothers. It was when he got Chas Chandler, formerly of the band, the Animals, as his manager when his career started to go uphill.

Chandler found out about Jimi’s playing prowess through Linda Keith, Keith Richards’ (of the Rolling Stones) girl friend. It was Chandler who changed Jimi’s name to what we know now. And it was also his brainchild to for m the Jimi Hendrix Experience with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell.

The band’s first single, Hey Joe, blasted the charts. They also played after The Who during the 1967 pop festival in Monterey. Jimi was slashing his guitar while fire burned on the stage. The crowd went wild. It was also at about the same time they released their first album, Are You Experienced. And Jimi rocketed to stardom.

The most memorable and successful album from the band is Electric Ladyland. It was released in 1968. During this time, Chandler was no longer acting as their manager. This also marked the start of the bands demise. It was then when drugs and hanger’s on kept crowding the studios. This eventually led to the end of the band. Jimi then formed the Gypsies, Sun and Rainbows for a time. They were only able to play at the Woodstock 1969. This was when he played his final great public performance with an electrifying version of the Star Spangled Banner.

The guitar legend was hooked into drugs. His last album was Cry of Love which featured Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox of Gypsies. He took some sleeping pills on September 17, 1970. The pills belonged to his then girl friend, Monica Denneman. He apparently had an allergic reaction and started throwing up. He drowned in his vomit. But he was pronounced dead when he reached the hospital. He was 27 when he passed away.

Alternative Music: More than Just Opinion for Independent Artists

The world in the music business has a lot of issues and events that trigger critiques to give their opinions and views regarding a certain subject. These views are either constructive or destructive to the enthusiasts in the music world. There can be learning or lessons that can be derived from these opinions especially if the person that aired out his views has established credibility about the subject on hand.This is one reason why Music Biz is an interesting site from which independent artists can visit. It is full of articles that relate to particular subject in the music industry. If an independent artist wants to gain ground and get updates in the music world, he can read various articles in Music Biz and know about what the music business is facing. The articles in Music Biz are not news though but are commentaries, opinions and point of views of music insiders. Music Biz, however, make sure that the articles added to their site are reasonable, related to specific incident, relevant and informative. The experiences and discussions in the articles may be subjective but one who wants to know the world of music can gain something from these articles.Music Biz is a unique community site intended to cater independent artists, music enthusiasts, disc jockeys, music marketers, and other players in the music business. Unlike other community sites that feature an individual profile, Music Biz features articles based on certain issues concerning the music industry. These articles come from different sources or contributors who air out personal opinions and analyses on whatever subject they have related to the music world. Although this is so, contributors are encouraged to practice responsible journalism so as not to be too disrespectful to certain issues. Articles in Music Biz are not necessarily facts but more on critiques and scrutiny.However, this is not the only composition of Music Biz site. One of their menus shows real news about different music events, artists, and the business as a whole. The news in Music Biz links to the original source of the news. Independent artist can get real updates and real news in the music industry in Music Biz. The news is up to date and new events and issues are added every now and then.Aside from editorials and news, visitors in Music Biz can also read feature articles in the music industry. Feature articles present interesting and factual events and subjects. Independent artists can get their updates from these features as well. The feature article, just like editorials, can be contributed by anybody as long as it is credible and reliable. Proper editing is also done to ensure that it meets the Music Biz standard to categorize it as feature articles. Members who log in to Music Biz can also contribute reviews regarding existing articles and other issues.There are more than just articles, editorials, news, or features that Music Biz can offer. There is forum for music enthusiasts, marketplace where visitors or members can buy CD or DVD copies, and reviews.

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About the AuthorJoe Gottii – We provide marketing and promotional services to clients seeking exposure in the music business. We provide Independent Artist and labels with the means to service their records to industry insiders and potential new fans