Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

The Bottle | History of the bottle travel

"The Bottle" is a song by American soul artist Gil Scott-Heron and musician Brian Jackson, released in 1974 on Strata-East Records in the United States. It was later reissued during the mid-1980s on Champagne Records in the United Kingdom. "The Bottle" was written by Scott-Heron and produced by audio engineer Jose Williams, Jackson, and Scott-Heron. The song serves is a social commentary on alcohol abuse, and it features a Caribbean beat and notable flute solo by Jackson, with Scott-Heron playing keyboards.

The song was issued as the first and only single for Scott-Heron's and Jackson's album Winter in America (1974). It became an underground and cult hit upon its release, and the single peaked at number 15 on the R&B Singles Chart. Cited by music critics as the album's best recording, the commercial success of "The Bottle" helped lead to Jackson's and Scott-Heron's next recording contract with Arista Records. Similar to other compositions by Scott-Heron, the song has been sampled extensively by hip hop artists.

"The Bottle" is a social commentary on alcohol abuse with a Caribbean beat. Scott-Heron wrote it after seeing men line up every day in front of a liquor store called the Log Cabin, bringing back their empty bottles to get a discount on their next purchase. Scott-Heron said of his inspiration for the song in an interview for Newsnight, "I discovered one of them was an ex-physician, who'd been busted for abortions on young girls. There was an air traffic controller in the military - one day he sent two jets crashing into a mountain. He left work that day and never went back."

The song also became a popular song played at parties at the time. French music critic Pierre Jean-Critin later described it as "an epic song ... whose infectious groove can still set dance floors alight over thirty years later." The song's pop/dance sensibilities and social message engendered its appeal to listeners following its release as a single. Scott-Heron later said of the single's success and style, "Pop music doesn't necessarily have to be shit."

Cited by critics and music writers as Winter in America's best recording, "The Bottle" also addresses problems of drug addiction, abortion, and incarceration, while featuring Jackson on flute and Scott-Heron on keyboards. Scott-Heron's high tempo vocal style and rhythmic lyricism shows similarity to later hip hop music, while the song's theme uses alcohol, or "the bottle", as a metaphor for ghetto life and alcoholism's long-term effects on its users.

See that black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man's in a bottle.
He done quit his 9 to 5, he drink full time
so now he's livin' in the bottle.
See that black boy over there, runnin' scared
his ol' man got a problem, and it's a bad one
He done pawned off damn near everything,
his ol'woman's weddin' ring for a bottle.
And don't you think it's a crime
when time after time after time, people in the bottle.
—Gil Scott-Heron, "The Bottle"

While its theme examines the plight of alcoholics and those who have to live with and cope with them, "The Bottle" became a concert favorite and one of Scott-Heron's most popular songs.

"The Bottle" was released in 1974 as the only single for Winter in America. The song became an underground and cult hit upon its release. Soon after, it also became one of Scott-Heron's most successful singles, as it reached the number 15 spot on the R&B Singles Chart. The single's success helped lead to Jackson's and Scott-Heron's next recording contract with Arista Records, where they would enjoy more commercial success.

"The Bottle" has been cited by critics as Winter in America's best recording. Paul J. MacArthur of the Houston Press called it a "strong anti-alcohol rant with a funky bass hook and chilly flute fills." Much like many of Scott-Heron's recordings, "The Bottle" has been sampled by several hip hop artists, including De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers. "The Bottle" was later ranked number 92 on NME's list of The Top 150 Singles of All-Time and was included in Q magazine's 1010 Songs You Must Own! publication.

Pencak Silat | Understanding and definition of Pencak Silat | The steps in Pencak Silat

Pencak silat or silat is a martial art which originated from Southeast Asia. This martial art is widely known in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, the southern Philippines and southern Thailand in accordance with the spread of ethnic Malay archipelago. Thanks to the role of the trainers from Indonesia, Vietnam now also has a formidable fighter-fighter.

Parent organizations in the Indonesian Pencak Silat Pencak Silat is the Indonesian Institute (IPSI). Organizations representing Pencak Silat federations in various countries is the Guild Pencak Silat Between Nations (Persilat), which was formed by Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Silat is expected to spread across the archipelago since the 7th century AD, but its origin has not been established. The origin of martial arts in this country may have evolved from the skills of indigenous tribes of Indonesia in hunting and fighting with machetes, shields, and spears, such as in the tradition of Nias tribe, which until the 20th century relatively untouched by outside influences.

Silat tradition passed down through oral and spread from mouth to mouth, are taught from master to student, so that a written record of the origin of martial arts is hard to find. The history of martial arts legend is told through a variety from one region to another. Legend Minangkabau, silat (Minangkabau language: Silek) created by Datuk Suri `s from Pariangan, Tanah Datar at the foot of Mount Marapi in the 11th century. Then Silek taken and developed by the nomads Minang throughout Southeast Asia. Similarly the folklore about the origins of martial arts Cimande flow, which tells of a woman who modeled motion fight between a tiger and a monkey. Each region generally has a martial character (warrior) is proud of, for example Si Pitung, Hang Tuah, and Gajah Mada.

Researcher Donald F. silat Draeger argues that the evidence of the martial arts can be seen from the various weapons found artifacts from the classical period (Hindu-Buddhist) and on the carved reliefs that contains the attitudes of the horses silat at Prambanan temple and Borobudur. In his book, Draeger wrote that martial arts weapons and martial arts are inseparable, not only in fitness, but also the spiritual connection that is closely related to Indonesian culture. Meanwhile, Sheikh Shamsuddin (2005) argues that there is the influence of martial arts from China and India in the martial arts. This is because since the beginning of the Malay culture has got the influence of culture brought by traders and immigrants from India, China, and other foreign countries. The development of martial arts began historically recorded when the distribution is heavily influenced by the propagator of religion in the 14th century in the archipelago. At that time the martial arts are taught together with religious instruction at the mosque or the seminary. Silat become part of spiritual practice. Silat then evolved from martial arts and folk dance, martial arts education part of the country to deal with foreign invaders.

Silat is now recognized as an ethnic Malay culture in the broad sense, namely the residents of coastal areas of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, and various other ethnic groups who use the lingua franca of the Malay language in various areas in Java, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and islands -the island of others who also developed the martial arts. Several national martial arts organizations include the Association of Pencak Silat Indonesia (IPSI) in Indonesia, the Guild Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia (PESAKA) in Malaysia, Singapore Silat Guild (EXACTLY) in Singapore, and the Guild Silat Brunei Darussalam (PERSIB) in Brunei. Has grown to also dozens of martial arts universities in the United States and Europe. Silat has now formally entered the sport in international matches, particularly competed in the SEA Games.

Terms of Pencak Silat

Pencak silat is a system which consists of the attitude (position) and movement (movement). When a fighter moves when fighting, attitudes and movements change with the change in the opposite positions on an ongoing basis. Soon after discovering weaknesses the opponent's defense, then the fighters will try to beat your opponent with a quick attack.

Characteristic of the Silat is the use of steps. This step is important in martial arts game is good and right. There are several steps that recognizable patterns, such as step three and step four.

Pencak Silat has a lot of kinds of defensive and attacking techniques. Traditionally the term of this technique can be likened to the fruit. Ordinary fighter uses hands, elbows, arms, legs, knees and feet in attack. Common techniques including kicks, punches, block, sweep, locking, throwing, holding, broke the bone joints, and others.

Fighters practice moves. Kick is a series of basic movements for upper and lower body, which is used as a guide to mastering the use of advanced techniques of martial arts (fruit), the time taken to exercise singly or in pairs. The use of steps, or small movements of the body, teaches the use of setting foot. When combined, that's barely Association, or the flow throughout the body.

There are 4 main aspects of martial arts, namely:
  1. Mental and Spiritual Aspects: Pencak silat builds and develops one's personality and noble character. The warrior and the most ancient martial arts teachers often have to pass through stages of meditation, asceticism, or other mystical aspect to achieve the highest level of scientific.
  2. Aspects of Art and Culture: Culture and the game of "art" of martial arts is one aspect that is very important. Pencak term generally describes the dance art form of martial arts, with music and traditional dress.
  3. Aspects of Self-Defense: self-confidence and perseverance are very important in martial arts master in the martial art. The term martial arts, tend to emphasize the aspect of technical ability martial martial art.
  4. Aspects of Sports: This means that the physical aspect of martial arts is important. Fighters tried to adjust the mind with body work. The competition is part of this aspect. Aspect of sports games and demonstrations include other forms of stance, both for single, double or team.
Forms of martial arts and padepokannya (where berlatihnya) different from each other, in accordance with aspects emphasized. Many who find their home stream of observations on wild animal fights. Silat-silat tiger and monkey are examples of such flows. There is also an opinion that the aspect of martial arts and sports, both physical and breathing, is the beginning of the development of martial arts. Aspects of sport and martial aspect is what has made martial arts became popular in Europe.

However, many argue that the fundamentals of martial arts terhilangkan, or facilitated, while martial arts to join the world of sports. Therefore, most martial arts practitioners continue to focus on traditional or spiritual forms of martial arts, and not follow the membership and rules adopted by Persilat, as a martial arts setting organizations worldwide.

In summary, students silat or fighters are divided into several stages or levels of proficiency, namely:
  1. Beginners, taught all the basic steps such as horses, kicking techniques, punches, blocks, dodgery, catch, dings, body work, as well as a series of basic steps of education and standard Jutsu IPSI
  2. Medium, ditahap this, fighters are more focused on the application all the basic movements, understanding, variation, and here will begin to appear interests and talents fighters, and will be distributed to each branch, for example, Sports & Culture.
  3. Coach, the result of a mature capability based on experience in the beginner stage, and middle would make the fighters stepped into the next stage, where they will be given techniques - techniques martial arts college, where this technique is only given to people who are trustworthy, and capable of technically and morally , because the martial arts technique is usually a very effective combat technique in disabling the opponent / very deadly.
  4. Swordsman, is a fighter who has been recognized by the elders of college, they will inherit the sciences in high-level secret.
Pencak Silat has developed rapidly during the 20th century and has become a competition sport under the control and regulation Persilat (Partnership Pencak Silat Between Nations, or The International Pencak Silat Federation). Pencak Silat is being promoted by Persilat in several countries across 5 continents, with the aim of making martial arts became an Olympic sport. Persilat promoting Pencak Silat as an international sporting competition. Only members who are recognized Persilat allowed to participate in international competitions.

Now, some European national Pencak Silat federations together with Persilat has established European Pencak Silat Federation. In 1986 the first Pencak Silat World Championship outside of Asia, taking place in Vienna, Austria.

In 2002 Pencak Silat was introduced as part of program performance at the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea for the first time. World Championship latest was in 2002 took place in Penang, Malaysia in December 2002.

Apart from efforts to make Pencak Silat Persilat as sporting events, there's still plenty of traditional old schools of martial arts that developed under the name Silek and Silat in the various parts of the world. It is estimated that there are hundreds of streams (styles) and thousands of college.

American Idol Winner Is Revealed!

After Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina performed three songs each on the first night of the American Idol finale on  Tuesday, Jennifer Lopez summed up the competition: "It's a tight race," she said. "America has their job cut out for them."

Now that job is done. The votes – 122 million of them, a new Idol record – are in and after a star-studded spectacular, host Ryan Seacrest announced the season 10 winner.

Keep reading to find out if Scotty or Lauren was named the new American Idol ...

The winner is Scotty McCreery!

"It's been a year since me and Lauren Alaina tried out now," Scotty said in apparent disbelief. "We've been together since day one and we're going to stay together. This is just – never in my wildest dreams ... I got to thank the Lord first. He got me here."

Scotty is an Idol first, a deep-voiced country traditionalist. Even though he's only 17, he's preternaturally good. I think the soul of Jimmie Rodgers or some other Nashville legend entered his body at birth.

All right, you explain it.

In a sense, this revised season, with the addition of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler to the judges' panel, encouraged the emergence of someone other than just a big, middle-of-the-road pop star.

The judges pointedly avoided stressing the need for a singer to provide what Simon Cowell always referred to as "the whole package" – they even encouraged Casey Abrams to do that multi-tenacled, lounge-jazz thing of his. And producer Jimmy Iovine tended to hone in on each singer's particular leanings and strengths – there wasn't as much pressure this time to prove crossover potential. If a singer came in knowing his particular leanings, as Scotty surely did, he'd go far.

Lauren was a country performer at heart, as well, but she was also the more traditional Idol contestant, with a voice full of the lyrical yearning made for old-fashioned pop ballads. Her final performance, a song called "Like My Mother Does," seemed almost calculated to draw Idol viewers to her side with its emphasis on heart-tugging emotion and motherhood. And there was much talk of that important Idol theme, her "journey."

But voters weren't interested in that this season – they went with the astonishingly consistent Scotty, who started his journey on Idol already fully formed as a performer.

The Stars Were Out
Before the announcement, there were nearly two hours of airtime to fill with music and distraction. That included Steven singing the Aerosmith classic "Dream On" and Lady Gaga – in a sublimely nutty moment – ending "The Edge of Glory" by jumping into a fake volcano. And, in Idol tradition, the season finalists all returned, often paired with major stars.

James Durbin got his supreme metal moment, leathered up and singing "After Midnight" with Judas Priest. That was a bit scary.

Jacob Lusk sang "I Smile" with gospel star Kirk Franklin and Gladys Knight. Much nicer.

Casey Abrams was joined by Jack Black, a good musical performer who's even better at sending himself up, for the schlock-rock classic "Fat Bottomed Girls."

Haley Reinhart and Tony Bennett made a snazzy duet of "Steppin' Out With My Baby."

Lauren and Carrie Underwood sang "Before He Cheats." I assume her vocal problems Tuesday didn't contribute to her loss, but her voice sounded much more guarded on Wednesday night's show.

And American Idol winner-to-be Scotty and Tim McGraw paired up for "Live Like You Were Dying."

Scotty's so young he made McGraw looked like Robert Duvall. (source : people.com)

Billboard Music Awards: Selena Gomez Gets Smooched by Justin Bieber, Pitbull Performs, While Shakira & Enrique Iglesias Dominate Latin Awards

The Latinos present at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., definitely made an impression, which will leave many talking for quite some time.

The night’s biggest shocker came when Justin Bieber proudly kissed Selena Gómez, in the mouth after Far East Movement and Snoop Dogg announced that he had won the “Top New Artist of the Year” award.

Gómez, who didn’t expect the kiss, seemed pleasantly surprised and was all smiles after Bieber smooched her.

The “A Year Without Rain” singer looked chic, glamorous and very mature in a black gown as she stepped ion stage with “Modern Family’s” Rico Rodríguez to present the Black Eyed Peas (BEP) with their award for “Top Duo or Group.”

“I just recently had a baby. Thank you to my wife for giving me a great baby… Journey,” said Taboo, a member of the BEP as the group received the award. “[Thanks] to all of you in Vegas!

Taio Cruz, who won big as he took home the “Hot 100 Song” and later found out he also won the accolades for “Top Digital Song” and “Top Pop Song” for his song “Dynamite,” took the stage and performed it for the fans crazed with excitement to see the Brazilian star.

Cruz, also performed his breakthrough song “Heartbreaker” which took him mainstream.
With elegant samba dancers, wearing all white mini dresses, Pitbull rocked his fans as he moved with the ladies back and forth in a classy tuxedo and black aviators shades.

Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” received the award for “Top Radio Song,” while Shakira got “Top Latin Artist and “Top Latin Song” for which three of her tunes where nominated.

Last, but certainly not least, Enrique Iglesias’ “Euphoria” won the award for “Top Latin Album,” beating fellow star Prince Royce, who is going on tour with Iglesias and Pitbull, who got everyone dancing with his new iTunes hit “Give Me Everything.”

With elegant samba dancers, wearing all white mini dresses, Pitbull rocked his fans as he moved with the ladies back and forth in a classy tuxedo and black aviator shades. (source : latino.foxnews.com)
 
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