Bach is good and so is BVSC. But opposite extremes of the musical continuum.
What is this fascination bordering on idolatry that Northern Europeans have for African-based music? It's very simple, uncomplicated, often rural stuff that comes deep from the bones and the soul, places that Northern Euros rarely visit, except to think about and analyze.
Finns and Germans tap their toes, dutifully and precisely, while Cubans, blacks, and Latins shake their booty.
I go to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on occasion. It's fun to see the sun-burned Euros gawk at Mardi Gras Indians going nuts, Nick Payton blowing like a fat cherub, or the Dirty Dozen doing their thing. The poor Euros, joined by the uptight New Yawkers and other Easterners, trying so hard to let go for just a few days...tap, tap, tapping their dutiful toes. |
