The Afro-Caribbean musical styles of the West Indies have spread their influence far and wide over the decades. Adapted, adopted, sold, ridiculed but still loved and liked by many. Growing up in the Caribbean and being exposed to the similar yet distinct cultures of the various islands has given me a further appreciation of these forms of music. They all tell the connective stories of love, pain, want, need, greed, lust, sex, fun, frolic, God, the devil, right, wrong and the list goes on.
But each genre holds true to that 'Caribbean beat' which draws us near, so that no matter how far we roam when we 'HEAR IT', we 'FEEL IT' and 'KNOW' that we're that much closer to 'HOME'.
So whichever Afro-Caribbean genre/musical style you may love/like, here's a taste of my favourite Calypso and Soca favourites (TOO MANY TO LIST). I will touch the other genres in the coming weeks.
THIS WEEK'S (7) CARIBBEAN BEAT: CALYPSO/SOCA COMPILATIONS ARE:
In the first week of my music musings I spoke about those songs/ditties which just randomly pop up in my head throughout the day at some of the strangest times.
One such tune I actually learnt from an episode of The Muppet Show. Somehow it stuck and from time to time I find myself smiling with head bopping to the words and tune of "MUSICMUSIC MUSIC" ringing in my ears.
So if you catch me with a weird smirk/stare and head bopping, please note it isn't you, it's just the music.
MY POSSIBLY WEIRD TO SOME/MANY BONUS DITTY &
THIS WEEK'S (7) SONGS/MUSICAL COMPILATIONS ARE:
(BONUS DITTY) MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC - Teresa Brewer
ALL I DO - Stevie Wonder
DIDN'T I BLOW YOUR MIND (This Time) - The Delfonics
So as I continue to share my love of music from a varied selection of songs found on my playlist, I realised that I had a competition of sorts between the daily volume of songs 'popping in and out' of my mind and songs on my actual physical playlists.
This made it almost impossible to stick to just 7 songs for each week but nonetheless, I will stick to the plan and also leave you with this quote:
I cannot think of or remember a time that I did not embrace my joy and love of music. Whether it be the structured compositions played via a band or the radio or the chords played from an instrument or as simple as the sound of the rain falling, birds chirping or someone humming a tune.
The genres of music that I like stretch far and wide across the musical spectrum and may seem odd at times, but it's music that has also served to form/create linkages with fellow beings who I may ordinarily have had no common bond or relationship.
Music has always been a part of my life in some way or form from singing in various choirs since childhood, the days of trying to record songs via my cassette whilst skipping the commercials, falling asleep listening to the radio and the next day humming a song which I heard in my sleep (cue mum's voice -"You can remember de words to every song, BUT NOT YAH school work!").
So much has music been a part of my psyche, I still experience those songs/ditties which just randomly pop up in my head throughout the day at some of the strangest times, which can become very awkward when addressing a serious situation, especially when trying to hide the smirk that's forming because I'm humming (mostly in my head) Sesame Street's 'Telephone Rock' in a meeting that's continued way past lunch time.
I've also exposed my kids to my love of music and they too celebrate their affection for music in their own unique ways, as well as joining me in dancing around the house during my regular disco fevers (DISCO QUEEN & NOT ASHAMED).
Despite my varied reasons (see below) my musical affinities encompass much of what I like, desire, need, believe/don't believe, embrace/reject...just who I am but in a musical sense.
So with this said, I now plan on sharing and paying homage to my joy...my love of music, by highlighting within my blog space (7) songs/musical compilations each week of every month until the end of 2018 and I offer to you a glimpse of musically just Kellee.
Music is my escape, It silences the world and my worries.
Music not only changes our mood, but it also changes the way we think and our perception of the world.
SOOOOOOOOOOO...MANY CHOICES.
Music is always changing and the changes are unpredictable.
When someone asks you to listen to a song, it's because the lyrics mean everything they're trying to say.
Music is what feelings sound like.
Listening to music is one of the few activities that uses most of the human brain.
"Music is a world within itself, with a Language we all Understand" - Stevie Wonder.
Music is love, love is music, music is my life and I love my life.
