Music in the U.S.

In my American studies class we have had a couple of speakers come in and teach about some kind of music as it relates to American Studies. However it was strange to me that neither of these speakers discussed Bluegrass music.

No, it is not avant garde. No, it is not made up of Afro-Caribbean and French influences, but it is a major part of American Music and has produced many famous musicians, even Elvis started out in bluegrass with such artists as Johnny Cash, singing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Bluegrass is a combination of Celtic music and African American intruments. Did you know that the banjo is in fact from Africa? And most of the rhythm of the spiritual comes from this mixture of Celtic and African culture.

While the instruments were from mixed origins, most of the lyrics to these songs come from the folksongs of the British isles. As you can see from the following clips, the rhythm of the songs are similar as is the melancholy tone.

Bluegrass has also produced such stars as Johnny Cash, Earl Scruggs, Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton and almost single handedly brought popular country into being, for being so all American it was strange to me that more attention wasn't paid to this genre of music.

The American Musical

In my last class we were discussing Musical Theater and how it relates to American studies. The main point that was made was that musical theater often brings up important social and political points.

One of the earliest musical's to illustrate this, in my opinion, is Showboat. This musical was first produced in 1927, and made into a film in 1953 staring Ava Gardner and Howard Keel. The play illustrates the problems of miscegenation, children out of wedlock, and gambling. While these problems seem out of date for our time, these were in fact serious concerns for people during the prohibition and pre-civil rights times.

Another musical that addresses social issues is Westside Story. In this musical two gangs fight for territory on the streets of New York City. The issue at hand is one of immigration and identity. The Puerto Rican Sharks fight the American Jets, as the former tries to assimilate into a new culture and the latter attempts to drive them out and make sure they understand that they are not welcome. In the following clip the ladies of the Shark gang sing about the wonders of America while the men lament its downfalls.

Illustrating social issues in musicals continues through to musicals made today, from Rent to The Book of Mormon to Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. All of these musicals shed a little limelight on certain contemporary social issues, from AIDS and homosexuality to mudslinging politics, musicals will continue to provide a soundtrack to politics and social issues of our time.