Our honorary conductor of the month, Michelle (Naila Moon), has picked the theme for today.
But first, who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? Every other week we have a theme, and on alternate weeks, we can blog about any music we wish. We are headed by our head Engineer XmasDolly. Her co-conductors are: ♥Callie of JAmerican Spice♥, (who right now is visiting when she can - please keep her in your thoughts ) and ♥Stacy of Stacy Uncorked♥ Also, co-conducting is ♥Cathy from Curious as a Cathy♥ And, (last but not least), me.
For July 30 we are asked to post two songs in "sign language" and two without.
I decided to take a slightly different track. I am a hearing person; I have no family members who are Deaf (although my father lost his hearing in one ear as a toddler). I have no training in ASL or any other signed language. And, I think we all agree that a hearing impaired person would experience music in a different way from one who is not hearing impaired.
The purpose (I think) of an interpreted video is to bring music into a more visual medium. Increasingly, in addition, Deaf musicians are gaining footholds in the music community.
Because I don't have the knowledge of any signed language to know if the language is being signed correctly, I tried to take care in selecting videos. Signed language (ASL is only one of them) is an actual language, not someone trying to communicate in English using their hands and facial expressions. It would therefore make sense to prefer videos of native signed speakers, people for whom the signed language was their first language or one learned early due to a hearing loss in childhood.
First up is a Deaf rapper, Signmark, and his song "Speakerbox". Signmark signs while a hearing rapper speaks the rap.
I came across a Deaf performer by the name of Rosa Lee Timm, who did a this video of a Melissa Etheridge song, I've Loved You Before.
And finally, Deaf rapper Sean Forbes in a fun video, "Let's Mambo" with Deaf actress Marlee Matlin.
Thank you, Naila, for allowing me to explore this aspect of music that is new to me.
Visit other music bloggers on the linky and see how they intepreted this prompt.
Day 30 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #BlogBoost.
Very cool and beautiful songs. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGood choices. I especially liked "Let's Mambo."
ReplyDeleteUnique! Cool post!
ReplyDeleteHi Alana,
ReplyDeleteAs someone losing my hearing, it was nice to see this post. Although I am not as adept in sign language as I need to be (am looking into tactile sing language because of my vision loss), it is comforting to find this. I loved the second song. Thank you for going outside of what you know to share this.
Amy
Interesting. I wonder how loud they have to play YouTube to "feel" the music.
ReplyDeleteSean Forbes video certainly has a sense of humor.
Wow, you found a rap sign tune! That's cool... don't think I seen any of those yet.. cool! Awww That was nice of your friend Amy to say... so nice that we got something for her too. As they say, a little bit for every body! As far as loud... no no no people don't get it... it's the beat they feel as seen on America's got talent. There was a girl who lost her hearing and she played a guitar I believe or a uke & she had musicians behind her also & she took her shoes off so she could feel the beat as they played. Very smart & very cool. You have some cool choices here my friend. WOW, I haven't heard Melissa Etheridge in like forever! I use to listen to all of her music for a long time, and as she dropped out of the seen I stopped. Very beautiful tune I must say. The last tune is a fun tune.. my hubby can't dance either & I'm afraid if I ever taught him how to dance it would probably look like this!!! bwahahahaha So, great job have a rockin' week my friend. Sorry I'm so late, but at least I made it. Having problems with sitting too long. Oh well, such is life. Remember if you need anything or have a problem just ask Kathy... she'll be more than happy to help ya & she'll be sending you the linky every week while I'm out. You'll be fine so whole down the fort for me and keep it ROCKIN'! WOO HOO... thanks! hugs
ReplyDeleteHi Alana,
ReplyDeleteI really like the approach you took with this theme. I'm not that much into rap but I did enjoy the first song by Signmark. Your second song, Melissa Etheridge's "I've Loved You Before" is new to me and I'm so glad that you introduced me to it. It's beautiful...and even moreso when signed. The lyrics premise is a topic that I find fascinating, that which claims that those who we have relationships with in this life, we have had relationships of some kind in a past life. Not necessarily in the same type of relationship but for sure we've been connected in some way and our souls now have the opportunity to work through and solve issues that went unresolved in that past life.
And I absolutely loved your third pick, "Let's Mambo"! How fun! It's a great song and a fun video. I've always been a fan of Marlee Matlin and I enjoyed her role in this music video. And Jake's piano rocked!
Great fun here!
This was a really cool theme and I think we all enjoyed digging into it. I'm listening to "Let's Mambo" for a second time in my headphones right now and Pete's piano sounds soooo good in my ears!
Hope you're enjoying your weekend,
Michele at Angels Bark