"Can You Dig It" In Records & Movies (1969-1979)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents examples of the sentence "Can you dig it?" in two record and two movies from 1969 t0 1979.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, etymological, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those featured in the videos or soundfiles showcased in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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COMMENTS ABOUT THE SENTENCE "CAN YOU DIG IT?"
"Can you dig it" is from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Depending on its context, in African American Vernacular English the word "dig" can mean "to understand", "to agree", "to like it", to enjoy it, or "to notice (check out) someone or something. Also, in African American slang (and I believe largely from that source in general American slang) "diggs" means "a person's home" and "a dig" is a taunt (an insult, a "diss").

It seems to me that the question "Can you dig it?" usually means "Do you understand [what I'm saying] or "Do you agree with what I'm saying?".

The African American use of the word "dig" meaning "understand" dates from the 1930s or earlier, but the documented use of the queestion "Can you dig it" is dates from the 1969 recording "Grazing In The Grass" by The Friends Of Distinction.

There are a number of theories about the origin of these slang meanings of the word "dig". I prefer the theory that the word comes from the Wolof [West African] word "degg; "dega" meaning "to hear", "to find out", "to understand". http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/181383 by jamueddhin on February 25th, 2008 for one comment article on this theory. But some people believe that this meaning of "dig" comes from the Irish Gaelic tuigim (I understand) or the Spanish words "digame" (Talk to me).

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FEATURED EXAMPLES OF "CAN YOU DIG IT?" (1969 - 1979)
These examples are presented in chronological order based on the date of the usage, with the oldest dated examples given first.

Example #1: GRAZING IN THE GRASS (1969)- FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION



VanessasRETROSOUL, Published on Dec 31, 2012
-snip-
Lyric Excerpt:
"(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
What a trip just watchin' as the world goes past
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)
There are so many good things to see
While grazin' in the grass
(Grazin' in the grass is a gas, baby, can you dig it)....

I can dig it, he can dig it
She can dig it, we can dig it
They can dig it, you can dig it
Oh, let's dig it
Can you dig it, baby"
-snip-
"Can you dig it" in The Friends Of Distinction's song "Grazing In The Grass" means "Do you like it?" or "Are you enjoying it?" and not "Do you understand it?"

Describing something as "a gas" is from 1920s Jazz lingo, and means that it is enjoyable, fun. http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2013/07/its-a-gas.html “It’s A Gas”

Click http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/anchorman/grazinginthegrass.htm for the complete lyrics to this song.
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grazing_in_the_Grass
"Grazing in the Grass" is an instrumental composed by Philemon Hou and first recorded by the South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela. Released in the United States as a single in 1968, it hit no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart....

The Friends of Distinction recorded a vocal cover version of the tune in 1969 which was also a Top Ten pop and R&B hit, reaching no. 3 on the former and no. 5 on the latter. The group's Harry Elston penned lyrics for the song and sang lead on it."

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Example #2: The Beatles - Dig It (2009 Stereo Remaster)



A.A. Central Uploaded on Oct 5, 2009

From "Let It Be" (Stereo Remastered) from The Beatles Stereo Remastered Box Set.
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dig_It_(Beatles_song)
" "Dig It" is a song by the Beatles featured on their album Let It Be. The song is credited to Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starkey. It is one of the few songs to be credited to all of the Beatles…
The excerpt on the Let It Be album fades in on Lennon's second "Like a rolling stone" and concludes with Lennon speaking in a falsetto: "That was 'Can You Dig It?' by Georgie Wood, and now we'd like to do 'Hark, the Angels Come'." The second sentence of that line is cut off in Let It Be's film recording of the jam session. ("Wee Georgie Wood" was a 4'9" music-hall performer and child star.)"
-snip-
The Beatles'Let It Be Album was released in May 1970.

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Example #3: Isaac Hayes: Shaft (High Quality)


John Hernandez Uploaded on Aug 28, 2010

Soundtrack Of Shaft in high quality, my favorite song of all time.
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_(1971_film)
"Shaft is a 1971 American blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. An action film with elements of film noir, Shaft tells the story of a private detective, John Shaft, who travels through Harlem and to the Italian mob neighborhoods in order to find the missing daughter of a mobster."
-nip-

"Shaft" (also known as "The Theme From Shaft") is mostly an instrumental record. Here's an excerpt of the brief song that is sung by Issac Hayes with back-up singers:

“Who is the man
That would risk his neck for his brother man?
(Shaft!)
Can ya dig it?”...

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
(Shut your mouth)
But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft
(Then we can dig it)

Source: click here
-snip-
In my opinion, the meaning "I understand" or "We understand" would be incorrect for the usages of "can you dig it" in the song "Shaft". I think that the line "Can you dig it" in the song "Shaft" means "Do you like it?" [the fact that there is a Black private detective who will "risk his neck for his brother man" ; i.e. "other Black people"]. And I think that the line "Then we can dig it" means "Then we like it; or "Then we approve of what you are aying."

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Example #4: The Warriors - Can You Dig It



John Johnson Uploaded on Aug 4, 2010
'Can you dig it' from The Warriors.[1979]
-snip-
Here's my summary of the first part of this movie's Wikipedia page: The Warriors is a 1979 American cult action thriller drama film [about gangs fighting for their survival. The Warriors was adapted from a novel (itself adapted from the Ancient Greek text Anabasis by Xenophon), the film was adapted in 2005 as action figures and later in 2005 as a video game.
-snip-
Quoting from that page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Warriors_(film)
My summary of this page:
“Cyrus, leader of the Gramercy Riffs, the most powerful gang in New York City, calls a midnight summit of all New York area gangs, requesting them to send nine unarmed delegates to Pelham Bay Park. The Warriors, from Coney Island, attend the summit and become the focus of the drama that unfolds. Cyrus proposes to the assembled crowd a permanent citywide truce that would allow the gangs to control the city. In the resulting chaos, Luther frames the Warriors leader Cleon for the murder, and he is beaten down by the Riffs. The other Warriors escape, unaware that they've been implicated in Cyrus' murder. The Riffs put out a hit on the Warriors through a radio DJ. Swan, the Warriors' "war chief", takes charge of the group as they try to make it back home”...

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Click http://www.cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0 for a footstomping cheer entitled "Can You Dig It" that my daughter collected from African American girls (ages 7-12 years old) at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania summer camp in the mid 1980s.

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James Brown - Get Up (Sex Machine) & Get Up Offa That Thing (examples, lyrics & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a six part series of posts on a sampling of African American and Caribbean songs whose titles include the words "Get Up" or "Get On Up".

This post features a video of James Brown's performing his 1971 hit R&B/Funk record "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine". The majority of this post showcases James Brown's 1976 record "Get Up Offa That Thing". A trailer on the 2014 James Brown movie entitleed "Get On Up" is also included in the addendum to this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/07/various-sound-files-videos-of-get-up.html for Part I of that series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-esquires-get-on-up-example-lyrics.html for Part II of that series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/jodeci-get-on-up-example-lyrics-comments.html for Part IV of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/eeleeephant-man-get-on-up-and-dance.html [Elephant Man- Get Up and Dance"] for Part V of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/public-enemy-get-up-stand-up-example.html for Part VI off this series.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, motivational, and aesthetic purpose.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Jamees Brown for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT
The "Get Up" songs that are showcased in this series encourage people to get up and dance. while the "Get Up Stand Up" songs encourage people to address the wrongs that they experience in oppressive societies.

I find it interesting that James Brown's “Get Up Offa That Thing" includes lyrics that encourage people to "dance 'til you feel better" and "dance to try to relieve that pressure". And I content that Black dance songs and play songs-along with Black work songs and religious songs- helped Black people survive the horrors of slavery. And dance songs along with other non-religious songs and religious songs continue to help Black people survive the oppression we've faced post slavery up to and including today, even if it's only to take our minds off of that oppression for a little while.

Additional comments on this subject are found below.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE #1: JAMES BROWN Sex Machine 1971



TheMaximumVolumeable Uploaded on Nov 28, 2011
-SNIP-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown for information about James Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006).

Click http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jamesbrown/getupifeellikebeingasexmachine.html for the lyrics to "Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine".

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE #2: James Brown - Get Up Offa That Thing [soundfile]



Soulbrothanumbahone, Uploaded on May 2, 2011

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INFORMATON ABOUT JAMES BROWN'S RECORD "GET UP OFFA THAT THING"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Up_Offa_That_Thing
"Get Up Offa That Thing" is a song written and performed by James Brown. It was released in 1976 as a two-part single (the B-side, titled "Release the Pressure", is a continuation of the same song). It reached #4 on the R&B chart, briefly returning Brown to the Top Ten after a year's absence, and #45 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1][2] It would be Brown's biggest hit during his late-1970s career decline. The song's lyrics urge listeners to "Get up offa that thing / and dance 'til you feel better."...

According to Brown, the inspiration for "Get Up Offa That Thing" came to him during a club performance in Fort Lauderdale:

The audience was sitting down, trying to do a sophisticated thing, listening to funk. One of the tightest bands they'd ever heard in their lives, and they were sitting. I had worked hard and dehydrated myself and was feeling depressed. I looked out at all those people sitting there, and because I was depressed they looked depressed. I yelled, "Get up offa that thing and dance til you feel better!" I probably meant until I felt better.[3]"...

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LYRICS: GET UP OFFA THAT THING
(James Brown)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!!

OH!

Say it now!

I'm back!

I'm back!

I'm back!

I'm back!

Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you, sing it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and shake it, say it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up off!
Ha!
Good God!
So good!

Ha!
Everybody ready?!

Follow me!

Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and shake it, sing it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up offa that thing, (Ha!)
and twist 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you, sing it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!

Huh!
Get funky!

So good, Uh!
I'm first to stop, ha!
I've told them now, ha!
Uh!
Ha!
Ohio player!
Can you hit it one time, from the top?!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance to try, you better!
Get up offa that thing,
and... Help me!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you feel better!
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!

Huh!

I need it!

That's the wise old brother at the side start good!
C'mon Clive do it!

Do it!

Uh!
Ha!
Good God!
God Good!
Huh!
Feels good!
Feels good!
Do it to me!
Huh!
Good God!
I want you all in the jam!
Gonna get you all in the jam!
Play that bad funk!
Show 'em how funky you are!
Play it JB's!
Play it now!
Hey!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you feel better!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you, help me out!
Get up offa that thing,
and dance 'till you feel better!
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better!
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release, say it now!
Get up offa that thing,
and shake 'till you feel better,
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!
Get up and... call it!
I feel good!
[Fade out]

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jamesbrown/getupoffathatthing.html
-snip-
“Get Up Offa That Thing" = means to Get off of your butt" or "Get out of your seat" [and dance].

Notice the lyrics
"Get up offa that thing,
and dance [and "shake"] 'till you feel better!
Get up offa that thing,
and try to release that pressure!"
-snip-
No specific racial population is identified in these lyrics. However, giveven the shooting deaths of Black men that have occurred in the past two weeks in Ferguson, Missouri and in St. Louis, Miissouri and the lack of transparency and militarized response of the police to protests*, I can't help but believe that Black people and other People of Color in the United States live in more oppressive conditions than White people in that nation.

Furthermore, it occurs to me that one of the reasons why so little attention has been given to the dance songs and play songs that were composeed by Black people during United States slavery is that people used thee existencee of those songs to support their pro-slavery arguments that enslaved Black people were happy in that condition. However, I believe that were it not for their dance songs and their play songs-as well as their sorrow songs (religious songs) and the works songs, Black people would have had even more difficulty living through slavery. And although conditions for most Black Americans have certainly improved since the end of chattel slavery, statistics and the news ceertainly document that the United States has not ever been and is not now a post racial nation.

*http://america.aljazeera.com/blogs/scrutineer/2014/8/22/kajieme-powell-shootingvideo.html and http://america.aljazeera.com/blogs/scrutineer/2014/8/22/kajieme-powell-shootingvideo.html

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ADDENDUM: Get On Up Official Trailer (2014) James Brown Biopic HD



JoBlo Movie TrailersPublished on Mar 13, 2014

A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
-snip-
Click http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/watch-a-dynamite-new-trailer-for-the-james-brown-biopic-get-on-up-20140719 for information and comments about this movie.

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The Esquires - Get On Up (example, lyrics, comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the Esquires 1967 R&B record "Get On Up". This post includes a soundfile of that song, its complete lyrics, and selected comments about that song.

This is Part II of a six part series of posts on a sampling of African American and Caribbean songs whose titles include the words "Get Up" or "Get On Up".

I'm considering a previously published post witch I have re-titled Examples of "Get Up Stand Up" (Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer) as Part I of this series. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/07/various-sound-files-videos-of-get-up.html for that post.

With the exception of that post, all other showcased records are presented in chronological order, with the oldest dated records presented first.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/james-brown-get-up-sex-machine-get-up.html for Part III of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/jodeci-get-on-up-example-lyrics-comments.html for Part IV of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/eeleeephant-man-get-on-up-and-dance.html [Elephant Man- Get Up and Dance"] for Part V of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/public-enemy-get-up-stand-up-example.html for Part VI off this series.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, motivational, and aesthetic purpose.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to The Esquires for their musical legacy. Thansk also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT
The "Get Up" songs that are showcased in this series encourage people to get up and dance. while the "Get Up Stand Up" songs encourage people to address the wrongs that they experience in oppressive societies.

I find it interesting that James Brown's “Get Up Offa That Thing" includes lyrics that encourage people to "dance 'til you feel better" and "dance to try to relieve that pressure". And I content that Black dance songs and play songs-along with Black work songs and religious songs- helped Black people survive the horrors of slavery. And dance songs along with other non-religious songs and religious songs continue to help Black people survive the oppression we've faced post slavery up to and including today, even if it's only to take our minds off of that oppression for a little while.

Part III of this series includes more comments about this subject.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ESQUIRES
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Esquires
"The Esquires were an American R&B group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, principally active from 1957 to 1976....

The Esquires first formed in 1957 around the Moorer family: Gilbert (died: 28 August 2008),[1] Alvis (died: 21 August 2011), and Betty. They went through many lineup changes over their first decade, which saw them aiming mostly for local recognition...

Their debut record for Bunky/Scepter was "Get on Up", (1967) which became a major hit in the United States, peaking at #11 as a pop single but reaching #3 on the R&B charts. Following the release they played Chicago's Regal Theater and the Apollo Theatre in New York City. Further singles were also successes, and the group released one full-length LP. After five singles on Bunky the group signed a deal with Scepter themselves late in 1968. They later returned to Bunky and then, in 1970, signed with Capitol Records for one single ("Reach Out") and Lamarr Records in 1971 for "Girls in the City".

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SHOWCASE SOUNDFILE - The Esquires - Get On Up



joltinjack Uploaded on Apr 3, 2008
Released in 1967

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SELECTED COMMENTS (INCLUDING LYRICS)
These comments are from the discussion thread for soundfile given above. The oldest comments (by year) are presented first, except for responses to those comments. These comments have been assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
1.locobuick, 2008
"It was often rumoured that The Esquires association with the eclectic Scottish psychiatrist and hot-air balloon enthusiast Dr. Charles Follen McKim Maloney had something to do with the title and lyrics of this song. "Get on Up" was what the famed doctor usually said before lift-off."

2. MrCsmall, 2010 (in reply to locobuick)
"The song ''Get On Up'', as I remember, had nothing to do with a doctor, catch phrase or balloons, it's simply asking a fine young lady to dance after she's been dancing with other guys & finally sits down for a rest, listen again."

3. NewDay, 2009
"Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid to late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, soul jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Unlike R&B and soul songs, which had many chord changes, funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord."

4. madero111, 2009 (in reply to New Day)
"Thanks for clarifying for "those people". Funk and other r&b styles eventually got lost in the wasteland of Disco; and Disco had a few decent tunes but that boom boom boom boom beat carried over into 'watering-down' other styles of music. Yes James Brown, The Meters too....!"

5. WickedWonder1979, 2010
"My mother said she used to play this song every morning to wake her brothers up for school. I played this song for her and she started doing the dances from back in the day. Love this song. Thanks for posting"

6. floydcheatham, 2009
"the montclairs were the esquires favorite back-up band i'm floyd cheatham ...alto sax..mrcsmall and i were in the pocket."

7. MICKEYSMONKEY, 2009
"l love good falsetto cuts.....ol school magic."

8. DVRBS, 2009
"Great track, still the bomb after 40+ years."
-snip-
"Track" = record; jam
The bomb = DSmething that is very good. Using "the bomb" this way may have come from the African American slang usage of "Dynomite!" to refer to something that is very good.

9. MrCsmall, 2011
"In the '60's & '70's,Milwaukee had a great,thriving,& diversed music scene,plenty of live jazz,blues,soul, & rock& roll. The leading acts of soul music were ,of course, The Esquires, next it was Harvey Scales & The Seven Sounds,both groups had major label record deals,The Esquires having the biggest hits.There were many popular singing groups & bands at that time."

10. moviechick007, 2011 (in reply to MrCsmall)
"@MrCsmall - wow! What wonderful music. It brings back memories of my childhood growing up in San Francisco. I remember doing the Boogaloo, the Jerk, the Philly Dog (which I can't describe to anyone), the Monkey, and the Sissy! I don''t think kids name their dances any more so there's nothing to pass along!"

11. Charles Moorer, 2011
"@MrCsmall, Who were the original members of the group?
MrCsmall

12. MrCsmall, 2011 (in reply to Charles Moorer)
"@chasmoor1 , The original members that recorded the hit records were Gilbert, Alvis Moorer, Sam Pace, Miller Edwards,there was another member named Sean,who also sang lead on the live shows,he would leave the group & return, after Miller left in 1970, Sean returned . The earlier members ,before the hits, included sister, Betty Moorer,& Harvey Scales.Now ,those are the people I knew & worked with in'69 thru '71."

13. John923T, 2014
"Danced to this classic in the 67' this was up there with the "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & the Drells. Clark JHS Bronx NY, yess sir, this was the jammy at that time friends.
3 quarter leather jackets, English leather cologne, Mini Skirts, patent leather shoes, Kangol hats tipped to side, shark skin or Pepper Silk pants, Knit shirts, was the dress at that time in the Bronx, lookin' good and dancin' to the this jammy at the school dances or at parties. Great song for that time still is.
58 yrs. young but still a kid when I listen to "Holt Unlimited"
Peace 2 ya"

14. Lawrence Forde (in reoly to John923T), 2014
"William Howard Taft H.S. and...Don't forget Blye Shop knits, Playboys, Beaver caps and hats, lizard shoes, gator shoes....hey do you remember those little restaurants in the West Bronx where they used to have the 2 for 25 cents hamburgers?...not White Castle that was something else...boy those were the days!

15.siemon j. franken, 2014 [LYRICS]

Ooh ooh ooh dit-dit-dit-do
Ooh ooh ooh dit-dit-dit-do
Get on up (get on up)
Get on up (get on up)
How can you sit yourself down for a rest
When you now that I'm trying my best
To dance with you girl (get on up)
To dance with you girl (get on up)

So get on up (get on up)
On the floor (get on up)
Get on up now (get on up)
And dance some more (get on up)
Get on up (get on up)
Let's boogaloo (get on up)
Get on up now (get on up)
Just me and you (get on up)
{repeat chorus}

Hey you (get on up)
Over there (get on up)
Get on up now (get on up)
Don't go nowhere (get on up)
We gonna dance dance dance
We gonna dance dance dance
The boogaloo(get on up)
Too (get on up)

We're gonna do the Monkey (the Philly dog too)
We're gonna do the Jerk (just me and you)
We're gonna dance dance dance
We're gonna Shing-a-ling
We're gonna do the Thing
Tonight
Dit-dit-dit-do

So get on up (get on up)
And sock it to me (get on up)
Get on up (get on up)
And rock it to me (get on up)
So get on up (get on up)

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EDITORIAL COMMENT
Although the "Get On Up" in The Esquires' record referred to getting up out of your seat and dancing, I recall in the 1960s and 1970s that Black power advocates grafted the meaning of "Get up and fight for your rights" to those words. This unintended meaning was probably heavily influenced by Bob Marley's & Peter Tosh's popular Reggae song "Get Up Stand Up (stand up for your rights).

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The Wild Magnolias - Corey Died On The Battlefield (example & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents a sound file and my transcription of the 1970s The Wild Magnolias' version of the song "Corey Died On The Battlefield". This post also presents information about the Mardi Gras Indians, information about The Wild Magnolias & their album, as well as information & comments about the "Corey Died On The Battlefield" song.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers & performers of this song. Thanks also to the publisher of this record on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MARDI GRAS INDIANS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians
"Mardi Gras Indians are African-American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel.

Collectively, their organizations are called "tribes" , Mardi Gras Indian tribes also parade on the Sunday nearest to Saint Joseph's Day on March 19th ("Super Sunday") and sometimes also at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

There are about 38 tribes. They range in size from a half dozen to several dozen members. The tribes are largely independent, but a pair of umbrella organizations loosely coordinate the Uptown Indians and the Downtown Indians".

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From http://www.mardigrasdigest.com/Sec_mgind/history.htm "A Short History Of Mardi Gras Indians" by Willie W. Clark Jr. (11-16-1999)
"The Black Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans are a unique sub-culture of a highly diverse and complex group of the local population . The tradition of these masking Indians, dates back to the 1700's. The scholars that claim to know the origins of the Mardi Gras Indians (a two hundred year old tradition) sometimes conflict on the precise history. As a result of this lack of a solid path in the knowledge of Indian history, many theories abound, but this much is for certain, the Indians have preserved some of their culture and history in the guise of tradition, and that tradition at the time of Mardi Gras, is now an integral part of New Orleans. In the heart of New Orleans since the 1780's and perhaps earlier, this ancient colorful and artistic culture has been practiced. A culture, that be it known, exhibits all of that tradition, with some of the positive heritage, and is quite a unique history."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE WILD MAGNOLIA'S ALBUM "THEY CALL US WILD"
From http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/3667
"...One of the many peculiarities of New Orleans is that this tribe of Mardi Gras Indians [The Wild Magnolias] are black, working class, and play music far funkier than any Native American rhythms. The tribe has a long proud history, having been established in 1889 (seriously). (By comparison, the WildTchoupitoulas - who recorded in the '70s with such luminaries as Allen Toussaint , The Neville Brothers and The Meters - are novices, having been formed in 1967.) The origins of the Indian costumes lie in Native Americans' and blacks’ shared experience of slavery, and the resulting common cause between the two cultures.

During Mardi Gras, up to 20 neighborhood tribes of Indians take to the street, vying for attention and bragging rights. In the past, violent clashes between tribes were not uncommon, some even leading to fatalities; nowadays, rivalries are expressed more through costumes, music and dances. However, vestiges of that history are still to be found in songs such as “Meet The Boys (On The Battlefront)” - with its lyrics, “Meet the boys on the battlefront / the Wild Magnolias gonna bust a rump!” – and “Corey Died On The Battlefield.”...

Although not recorded until the 1970s, this music was a key ingredient of the distinctive New Orleans sound for decades before..."

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "COREY DIED ON THE BATTLEFIELD"
From Time Passages: Collective Memory and American Popular Culture By George Lipsitz
Page 245 [Google Books]

“Song lyrics also connect contemporary herorism to traditional figures. Thus the Wild Tchapatoulas’ *“Brother John” pay tribute to John “Scarface” Williams (a rhythm-and-blues singer and Mardi Gras Indian who died from a knifing shortly after carnival in 1972) by comparing him to “Cora” who “died on the battlefield”. An earlier song by Willie Turbington of the Wild Magnolias based on a chant by the Magnolia’s chief Bo Dollis, told the story of a rebellious slave named Cory. In the 1920s jazz musician Danny Barker recorded a song "Corrine Died on the Battlefield," a song which Paul Longpre of the Golden Blaze claims told the story of a woman named Cora Anne who masked as a queen of the Battlefield Hunters, but who died of gunshot wounds incurred when she got caught in the crossfire between the Hunters and the Wild Squatoolas. Cora thus refers to at least four people living more than one hundred years apart, three of them male, and one female. The story touches on the histories of at least five tribes and appeared in four separate songs. There is no one authentic Corey; the purpose of all this borrowing is precisely to fashion a collective narrative embracing a wide range of actual events and individual. No one lyricist or story-teller can control the narrative about Corey; it filters through the community, undergoing significant changes, yet retaining important continuities.”
-snip-
"Corey Died On The Battlefield" is a standard Mardi Gras Indian song. Willie W. Clark Jr., the author who is quoted above mentions the song being recorded by The Wild Tcpatoulas and Google search also indicates that another Mardi Gras Indian group "Flaming Arrows" recorded a version of "Corey Died On The Battlefield", and this song may have also been recorded by other Mardi Gras Indian groups. However, I've not been able to find any Mardi Gras Indian sound file of this song but the one which was recorded by The Wild Magnolias.

"Brother John" ("Brother John Is Gone" is another song that was composed about the stabbing of John "Scarface" Williams, once a vocalist for Huey "Piano" Smith in the 1950’s, and a Mardi Gras Indian in the 1960s. That song was composed by Cyril Neville and sung by the Neville Brothers (The Neville Brothers are closely connected to the Mardi Gras Indians as their uncle Bo Dollis was the founder and Big Chief of the Wild Tchapatoulas nation. Here's the verse of that "Brother John" song that mentions "Cora Died On The Battlefield":
"Oh, Cora he died on the battlefield (Brother John is gone)
And the rest of his gang they won't bow they won't kneel
He sang "Mighty goody fiyo* on Mardi Gras Day"
And whoever wasn't ready better get out of 'de way."
-snip-
*"fiyo" = fire
Click this link to a page of my cocojams.com cultural website http://www.cocojams.com/content/mardi-gras-indian-songs-chants for a sound file and lyrics to "Brother John Is Gone" and more Mardi Gras Indians songs.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Wild Magnolias - Corey Died On The Battlefield



john malkovitch, Uploaded on Feb 1, 2009
New Orleans Funk Top, Talk Box not a Vocoder :)
-snip-
A "talk box" sounds to me like what is currently called "autotunes". Here are two comments from this sound file's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM3nbgxHqPE about this musical feature:
phillydisco, 2009
"I just noticed in your comment that you said it was vocoder, which I believe is incorrect. The vocoder was a synthesizer with microphone that you talked into and the musical notes were played out of the keyboard. With a talk box, the effect was achieve with a small hose connected to an amplifier speaker for a guitar or in this song's case, clavinet. The other end was up against the microphone, and the player put his mouth over it, making words out of his mouth as he played the instrument."

**
phillydisco, 2009
"This track features some of the best talk box ever used. Forget Peter Frampton! These guys were using it on their clavinets and guitars! And putting wah effect on the bass was an awesome touch."

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LYRICS: COREY DIED ON THE BATTLEFIELD
(as recorded by the Wild Magnolias, 1974)
Corey died on the battlefield (3x) [voice box recording]

[singing]
Well here’s a very sad tale bout this cat they call Corey Brown
People would stand from the street to the tent
to hear Corey get on down

He offered new life by an out of sight power
To everyone who did what he said
But by some trick of fate
Some people who knew only hate
He throw a knife
And took for the night
Corey died on the battlefield (3x)
A lot of folks know this story
And they won’t forget about his dream
Because love is the key
For both you and me
His dream will live endlessly
Corey died on the battlefield (5x)
[voice box recording]
Corey died on the battlefield
Corey died
Corey died on the battlefield
Corey died
Corey died on the battlefield

[instrumental]
[Spoken]
Corey
Was a brother
Who was aware
of his inner man
And at the direction
of the Cosmic
He lived
to reach the Promised Land

Corey died
on the battlefield
In search of his destiny
And it’s no different
for you or me
You must die
for what you believe

[Singing begins again]
mmm mmm mmm mmm
mmm mmm mmm mmm

[voice box recording]
Corey died on the battlefield
Corey died
Corey died on the battlefield
Corey died
Corey died on the battlefield
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell from The Wild Magnolias' record. I'm not certain about all of these words. Additions and corrections are welcome.

I wonder if the story about "Corey Brown" was meant to call to mind the stories of the assassinated African American leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Both of these leaders were known for their eloquent speaking abilities as was "Corey Brown" in the Wild Magnolia's song. Also, Martin Luther King Jr. is forever associated with his "I Have A Dream" speech (similar to Corey Brown's dream that is mentioned in that song). Also, perhaps coincidentally, Martin Luther King Jr's wife was named "Corretta", a form of the name "Corey".

And the more I think about it, maybe "Corey Brown" also stands for all Black and Brown brothers (males) who have died and continue to die on the urban streets battlefields, many of them before they had any real chance to achieve their dreams. Maybe that's a key reason why "Corey Died On The Battlefield" is a standard song among Mardi Gras Indians, that and the resolute determination that in spite of these ever present dangers, (to quote a standard phrase in Mardi Gras songs) "they won't bow/ they won't kneel".

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Billy Preston - "Nothing From Nothing" (video, lyrics, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the 1974 hit song "Nothing From Nothing" by Billy Preston.

Here's information about Billy Preston from his Wikepedia page:
"William Everett "Billy" Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American musician whose work included R&B, rock, soul, funk and gospel. Preston became famous first as a session musician with artists including Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Beatles, and was later successful as a solo artist with hit pop singles including "Outa-Space", its sequel, "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from Nothing", and a string of albums and guest appearances with Eric Clapton, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. In addition, Preston was co-author, with The Beach Boys' Dennis Wilson, of "You Are So Beautiful," recorded by Preston and later a #5 hit for Joe Cocker.

Alongside Tony Sheridan, Billy Preston was the only other musician to be credited on a Beatles recording: the artists on the number-one hit "Get Back" are given as "The Beatles with Billy Preston". Stephen Stills asked Preston if he could use Preston's phrase "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with" and created the hit song"....
-snip-
Click this link to his official website for more information about Billy Preston:
http://www.billypreston.net/, and

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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LYRICS; NOTHING FROM NOTHING
(Songwriters: Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher)

Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me

I'm not tryna be your hero
'Cause that zero is too cold for me, brrr
I'm not tryin' to be your highness
'Cause that minus is too low to see, yeah

Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
And I'm not stuffin', believe you me
Don't you remember I told ya
I'm a soldier in the war on poverty, yeah, yes, I am

Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me, oh baby
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me, that's right, ha yea

Gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me
You gotta bring me somethin' girl, if you wanna be with me

http://www.metrolyrics.com/nothing-from-nothing-lyrics-billy-preston.html

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FEATURED EXAMPLES

Example #1: NOTHING FROM NOTHING / BILLY PRESTON [Sound file]



sunnychopper82 Uploaded on Apr 3, 2008

Nothing From Nothing - Billy Preston
from his album "THE KIDS & ME" in 1974

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Example #2: Billy Preston - Nothing From Nothing



OpDePlanken , Uploaded on Oct 5, 2008

Live On Stage

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SELECTED COMMENTS From Example #1 YouTube viewer comment thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ5-BTdcqjk
[Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes]

2010

1. muzaq27
"BILLY PRESTON!!!! A GREAT MUSICIAN/VOCALIST/SONG WRITER!!!!ONE OF AMERICA'S FINEST.....HE IS MISSED!!!!!"

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2. CJSmith943
"This song is so true its like all the old school songs have more meaning than today's music!"

****
2011

3. TheOtherFifthBeatle
He was way too underappreciated in his lifetime.

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4. cb4077
"nothing from nothing leavvvveeess nothing."

****
5. BalooRJ
"Love this song. A timeless classic."

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6. grimmpoxer
"World class musicianship meets great vibe meets fun. Music doesn't get any better than this."

****
2011

7. everybodytogethernow
"that piano solo...gold, pure gold.

RIP billy P you live on in great music"

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2012

8. KarmalBeauty
"Absolutely BEAUTIFUL SONG! Sang it Billy!!! LOL"

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9. Steven A
"such a talented man miss you Billy thanks for some of the best music ever made makes ya wanna just get outta your chair and foot stomp all nite long"

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10. LeOnIdAs162
"What's the name of this music style ? Soul ?"

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11. Ariana A
in reply to LeOnIdAs162
"@LeOnIdAs162 according to iTunes billy preston is classified as R&B/Soul... personally I see HUGE elements of funk here, but preston's good enough to span several genres... in the end, classify him however you want to!"

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12. JMoNticello86
"That fro is sick"

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13. shuree681
in reply to JMoNticello86
"@JMoNticello86 If you were in that era, you wouldn't have said his fro is sick,,,that was rude,,,,"

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14. tomb833
in reply to shuree681
"@shuree681 thats not what he means.. Sick is a synonym for awesome
/cool"

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15. ericsyutubeaccount
in reply to shuree681
"@shuree681 sick means good"

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16. LeftHandSouth24
"OMG MAN THE PIANO ON THE INTRO IS TAKIN ME ALL THE WAY IN!!! LOL..I THINK IMMA PLAY THIS AT CHURCH ON SUNDAY.."

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17. funkyswede62
"I am really big fan of Billy, and this tune was one of my first r&b/soul tracks that I took to my heart. For all you other people commenting, please leave the politics out of the music, will ya? We're here to enjoy good music by great people who made a difference and for them we are here!"

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18. fluffer1987
"Life is tough nowadays, but listening to this song brings me up. Thanks, Billy."

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2013
19. George Kiriyama
"MUSIC REWIND 1974:

He was known as the "5th Beatle". Five years after BILLY PRESTON worked with the Beatles on "Get Back", the R&B/rock keyboardist scored his second #1 hit with "Nothing from Nothing".

PRESTON was the first musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1975 and he performed "Nothing from Nothing".

Album: The Kids and Me"

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20. b1uezer
"Seriously, the trumpets are so brilliant, this entire song is fantastic."

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SELECTED COMMENTS From Example #2 YouTube viewer comment thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj5DccgBYeM
[Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes]

2008

1. Ramona817
"Brilliant musician, singer, performer.. I am forever in awe of Billy Preston."

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2009

2. happygamer91
"That is one of the best bass breakdowns I have ever heard!"

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3. asonjack
"one of the greatest hammon b3 players ever"

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4. derrickbanes
"you hear his gospel background when you listen to him talk. (for those of you who know about that traditional baptist church). cool"

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2010

5. auggiedoggy
He was just 59 when he died. :o( What a performer!!!

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6. YaBoyMacD3 years ago
the funk and soul just flows through

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7. voyage54
"Brilliant lyrics too. Simple & deep."

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8. Streamline0
"I think this song and "Will it Go 'Round in Circles" have grooves that probably influenced Stevie's "Sir Duke" and "I Wish". Thanks."

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9. bluemist3
Oh man, I love you! You make me happy even when I am sad. I hope there is an afterlife, because I would like to meet you one day

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10. bossgangsta1
"nothing from nothingggggggggggggggggggg i love billy!"

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2012

11. Max Lee
"This is my favorite song of all time. Why isn't billy preston in the rock and roll hall of fame yet?"

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12. ultrastark1
"SOMEHOW OR OTHER I FORGOT ABOUT THIS GREAT MUSICAN, PERFORMER, VOCALIST Mr. Billy Preston....thank u youtube...and shame on me for forgetting"

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13. R. R. Rubin
"This was the best performance by any band anywhere in the world for the year 1981. You can Wiki that"

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14. Laurie Schmeer
"He was a legend in his own time. All his music is timeless!!! Boy it so fits in with the times right now!!!"

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2013

15. Eric Elliott
"Great pianos and horns in this track -- they don't make them like this anymore. Billy Preston knows what's up."

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Thank you Billy Preston for your musical legacy.

Thanks also to Bruce Fisher for co-writing this song, thanks to the other musicians featured in these examples, and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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