In a message dated 7/23/02 12:48:54 PM GMT Daylight Time, abahn@nycap.rr.com
writes:
> SQUONKSTAIL@aol.com wrote:
>
> "The blues and jazz developed in sub cultures away from New world values
> as their roots reached deep into older cultures than even European
> patterns? Deep into quality. Blues and jazz emerge from deep within
> quality whereas Hollywood and Coke and ROG have a patina of quality
> slapped on the surface."
>
> True. But these Subcultures are also firmly rooted in America. They
> are uniquely American and they play a huge part of our culture. The
> roots of both come from the deepsouth, surfacing from the cesspools of
> discrimination and slavery. Out of these low quality institutions
> emerged "older" patterns. I think it is obvious that without this ugly
> period in American history, we would never have been blessed with these
> gifts of higher quality. This is the dynamic quality that describes
> American culture that ROG and PLATT both wish to attribute solely to
> "Free markets" and "Capitalism." In a way, they may be right. It is
> partly the repressive characteristics of these institutions, that are
> responsible for the emergence of these higher quality patterns. This
> can be seen today in the artists that DMB spoke of that fall under the
> Alt Country heading. Just listen to Iris Dement's "Wasteland of the
> Free." In a society that values free speech, this song lacks the
> subtlety and cleverness of Blues' lyrics, but the quality is there and
> it is a reaction to lower quality patterns and institutions that
> dominate in our society--just as blues and jazz were reactions to lower
> quality institutions and patterns present in America during their
> nascent period. My point is that the "patina of quality slapped on the
> surface," is not American culture. Scrape away the surface and you can
> still find "tasteful" aspects of American culture that are firmly rooted
> and deeply entrenched in our Psyche.
>
> Kindest,
> Andy
>
Hi Andy,
I have never doubted this.
Best wishes,
Squonk.
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