Drew wrote:Mainly it is your interpretation of 'blues':
is it that which is in 12 bars?
is it that which is exclusively slow?
is it that which is exclusively melancholic in subject matter?
I think 'blues' in terms of music can be any combination of the three. However, most of the blues dancing I've seen is attempted sensuality to music that only need be slow.
i wasnt looking to talk about this much here. i noticed that there was thread that discussed defining blues type stuff. but, my answer is yes...and some.
Nate Dogg wrote:A lot of folks want slower music with a sensual vibe to it. They could care less whether or not it is blues.
you can blues dance to non-blues music
I think the reason you see some soul, other styles of slow music seeping into the alt rooms is that people are responding to it and having fun.
People mix up dance names, music style names, they are not always the same thing. At events, it is a subjective thing a lot of the time, assuming the organizers are not very clear with the DJs and the attendees what the room is about.
To some people, a blues room means that blues music will be played in that room (and then you have the variations of blues defintions). To other people, a blues room is a room that is friendly to blues dancing. I know that there are large segments of the population in both camps.
yes. this is all true of our current scene. in addition, the comon misconseption about blues dancing is that its about thigh-humping, and rubbing, and not really about dancing and the music. i think that the majority of blues dancing done to non blues music helps to feed that. i think this is unfortunate. as a blues dancer i want to dance to mostly blues. thats not to say that i dont enjoy dancing to non blues music that has "bluesy feel". same for me in lindy. im not one of those people who will say if its not swing music its not lindy, but i want to dance to mostly swing.
mousethief wrote:Blues rooms and lindy rooms are now pretty much separate cultures. Sad, but true. They are not part of one homogenous event, like you would find at (pre-lindy) the Lincoln Gardens or the Savoy Ballroom. They are separate rooms with different dance styles, different music and a different culture.
im not sure im with you on this. its very posible that we are headed in that direction though. i have not yet herd someone say, "i dont know lindy, im a blues dancer". for me that would mean the cultures are pretty much seprate. that said, things are not like they were at lincon gardens or the savoy. as to why...another thread perhaps, or board maybe.
mousethief wrote:I personally hope that Blues rooms will police themselves into playing more traditional music.
In the end, it's going to be the responsiblity of the DJs and organizers to affect any real change.
Although I am a semi-traditionalist, I would not play most early pieces, such as Bessie Smith. I like - and have been most successful with - 30's - 50's Blues, with a more rounded, more developed style. I use more carnal pieces and lean towards vocals more than I would in the main room. But I reserve the right to shake things up, to break up the leg humping with a relaxed swing tune. However, that's not to say that I have not stooped to playing Alicia Keys to jump-start a room.
i actually i was able to play a few traditional blues songs that people danced to at atlx (and some that cleared the floor ie. lead belly's cc rider).
bessie smith..nobody knows you when your down...
Memphis Minnie McCoy..moanin the blues
those two did real well.
i dont think anyone could handle an entire set of early blues, not that that is what you are suggesting. i think everyone agrees that a good set has variety; energy, style, tempo ect. all of this can be found in blues music.