ext_251134 ([identity profile] whitedeathpod.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2011-03-04 07:03 am
Entry tags:

Pop Culture 101 | Friday | Period 2

"Welcome back from Hawaii everyone," John greeted as the students filed in and sat down. "I, unlike you, didn't get to go to Hawaii. I spent a week playing games with my kid. I'm pretty sure he thinks he rules the house now because I let him win so often. But anyway, let's get right back to it, shall we?"

To start that, John went over to the boombox sitting on his desk and played a snippet of a song. He even bopped his head along with the tune because it was a good song!

"Today, we're gonna talk about the Motown sound," he said once the song ended. "Motown comes from a music label that was founded by Berry Gordy and was the first record label to be owned by an African American man. It played an extremely popular role in the racial integration of popular music because it achieved both mainstream and crossover success."

John stopped talking and played another song. This one sounded a little different but was still good. "Simply put, Motown music is soul music with a distinct pop influence. And the reason Motown is so important is because it's still around today and so many other genres developed off from it. There are country artists, hip hop artists, jazz artists, rock artists and gospel artists that have all been Motown influenced. It's a very pervasive and expansive genre these days and today, you're going to become part of it."

Oh yes. "There's a list of songs on your desks. Your assignment? Pick one of those songs and sing it."

That boombox at the front of the room? Also a karaoke machine. Yep. "Your assignment is to pick one of those songs and sing it in a Motown style. Easy right? Let's get going."
notagoose: (Riding Triton)

Re: Sign In [PC 03/04]

[personal profile] notagoose 2011-03-04 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Shane Gooseman
wrongkindofsith: (Kiss the girls and make them sigh)

Re: Sign In [PC 03/04]

[personal profile] wrongkindofsith 2011-03-04 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Cara
stars_and_money: (Wherever you want me.)

Re: Sign In [PC 03/04]

[personal profile] stars_and_money 2011-03-04 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Jeremy Darling

Re: Sign In [PC 03/04]

[identity profile] she-sheds.livejournal.com 2011-03-05 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
Joolushko Tunai Fenta Hovalis

Re: Lecture [PC 03/04]

[identity profile] redandblueblur.livejournal.com 2011-03-04 12:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh wow, Clark was going to have to sing. Did anyone really want to hear that? Clark didn't think so, but he still perused the list, trying to pick a good one.

Probably Stevie Wonder. That guy was awesome.

Re: Assignment | Motown Karaoke [PC 03/04]

[identity profile] thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com 2011-03-04 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
At least his visits to Caritas has served Faramir well enough to understand the concept of karaoke and somehow he did not seem to mind the assignment.

He picked a song (http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/I+Hear+A+Symphony/2IAlMH?src=5) from the list, merely letting the title guide him. It was perhaps a clumsy start and he really was better at appreciating music than he was at making it. Yet, it did not stop him from singing enthusiastically, stumbling at points but the tune went slow enough that he did not entirely fail.

"I believe that I like this Motown music," he decided. He would.

Re: Assignment | Motown Karaoke [PC 03/04]

[identity profile] she-sheds.livejournal.com 2011-03-05 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Joolushko picked a song at random. And, well, this was a girl who melted metal when she screamed. Honestly, the karaoke machine was lucky it survived the vocal assault. Her classmates were lucky they didn't suffer any permanent damage as well. At least she'd chosen something short and sung somewhat quietly?

Re: Lindsay the TA [PC 03/04]

[identity profile] mathletenomore.livejournal.com 2011-03-04 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Lindsay didn't particularly want to sing, but she liked Motown. Since she was from the Detroit area, it was almost a requirement.