Small city boy, big city dreams
Archive for November, 2009
Thinking about Genres
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music – Wikipedia
A while back, I set out to try and classify all the music I have in my library. Mostly, this was in order to try and figure out what it is that I actually listen to. But I also wanted to see if I could actually spot the difference in all of these genres.
Sadly, I must report that I got caught up in the splinter genres before too long and was classifying things as chill/rnb/soul/ (Lewsi Taylor – Bittersweet - Awesome Track).
More and more it feels like it’s all mashing its way to just becoming Music. Genre divides will become smaller and smaller until eventually they disappear. These days, I use artists or bands as Genre Markers. It’s the same principle that Pandora and LastFM work on. If I like a band, I’ll probably enjoy music from other bands who sound like them, or like the song I like.
I’ve found that this way of finding music is a lot more accurate than trying to buy within a genre.
Heineken Walk in Fridge, part 2
Every guy has ‘his beer.’ Mine’s Heineken, It’s delicious when it’s cold, comes in a green bottle and ha my name in the title. What’s not to love? Anyway, after making us all laugh with their first walk in fridge ad, Heineken have now released a sequel, and it’s pretty funny.
http://lesterhein.blogspot.com/2009/11/heineken-walk-in-fridge-part-2.html
Now although the walk in fridge ad was funny, I’m almost tempted to say that the spoof that Bavaria made was funnier. Have a look and decide for yourself
http://lesterhein.blogspot.com/2009/11/heineken-walk-in-fridge-part-2.html
Learn the South African national anthem
So after the entire internet going crazy about the debacle surrounding the way that Ras Dumisani sang the South African national anthem at the Sa vs France rugby match last week, I thought it might be useful for anyone else thinking of singing the national anthem to actually know the words.
Here’s a handy illustrated way to learn the South African national anthem
Danger-Ras
So, after my previous post about the South African anthem being sung at the SA versus France game, Ras Dumisani has generated his own meme. The internet, radio and even TV is buzzing with talk about the botched SA anthem.
There’s a phrase saying that there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but the Ras Dumisani incident may just test this chestnut to the max, with a whole lot of less than nice things being said about the singer.
Here’s an audio clip of Ras on radio giving a “better” version of the national anthem than the one he delivered at the stadium on the night of the rugby match.
South African nation anthem sung at French rugby match
People are de-moer-in. Highly bedondered. Pissed off and Bevok. And it’s all thanks to the way that the national anthem was performed at the SA vs France rugby match on Friday night. I didn’t catch the game, but I had heard of the ermm…rendition from a few buddies and decided to check it out.
Here it is:
(if you’re reading this on Facebook, go here to watch the video)
My first response was “those bloody frenchmen.” But it turns out, I was wrong. In an article published by the UK’s Telegraph newspaper, the identity of the singer was revealed. Ras Dumisani is a dude from Durban. Our side.
Here’s an extract from the Telegraph article:
“I must convey that we are annoyed by the fact that the French disrespected our anthem,” blasted South Africa coach Peter de Villiers.
“They didn’t get someone who really knows the thing and show any respect for it. We expect people to show respect to the anthem of any other country.”
But Dumisani was aghast that de Villiers and other Bok players were unhappy with his rendition.
“Everyone at the stadium told me I sang well, even after the match. The Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika has been my tune since a baby,” he said. “How can I not know the words?
Personally, I’m a little upset myself. I like our anthem. It has four languages and a catchy tune. It confused little children and Americans. And for someone to come along and botch it on an international stage is not acceptable. I think that maybe the organisers should have checked with Ras if he knew all the words before they booked him for the gig….
What do you think?
UPDATE – Ras Dumisani was given a chance to tell his side on the story on radio. Click here to listen to the clip from the Redi Direko show on 567 Cape Talk
http://lesterhein.blogspot.com/2009/11/danger-ras.html
