Cultural appropriation and covers

[Dankology]

31 minutes ago, tegs07 said:

How far do we take this though? Are people who meditate, practice yoga or become buddhist guilty of cultural appropriation?

 

Are Indian cricketers that enjoy a nice cup of tea and a crisp ironed shirt and brogues culturally appropriating.

 

How about Bangalore call centre workers in Nike TNs, baseball caps and Jay Z T Shirts? How about if they form a rap group?

 

 

 

I'm not sure this is as confusing as you seem to find it.

 

Cultures bleed into and enrich each other - this is a good thing. Taking ("appropriating") an element of another culture in order to suggest a shared experience that may not exist introduces the risk of looking insensitive or cynical.

 

Much as you yourself alluded to above: it's a matter of intent and sensitivity to the subject matter.

[tegs07]

45 minutes ago, Dankology said:

I'm not sure this is as confusing as you seem to find it.

 

Cultures bleed into and enrich each other - this is a good thing. Taking ("appropriating") an element of another culture in order to suggest a shared experience that may not exist introduces the risk of looking insensitive or cynical.

 

Much as you yourself alluded to above: it's a matter of intent and sensitivity to the subject matter.

I don’t find it confusing at all. If something inspires you and gives your life meaning go for it. If you are doing it with sincerity I don’t think it’s anybody else’s business to judge. I always got the impression George Harrison was profoundly moved by his experiences in India and had a genuine love for the country and the music. He did things his way. The only way to do things.

Edited 3 hours ago by tegs07

[steantval]

I have always played in cover bands and I cannot recall anytime when a song has been rejected by any of the members due to any of the reasons mentioned throughout this thread, if it’s a great song and we feel we can do it justice, then it’s in the set.

We do not put every song suggested through a microscope and we certainly feel no need to offer the audience a trigger warning before playing specific songs, we play live to entertain an audience and enjoy ourselves while doing it.

[Stub Mandrel]

3 hours ago, Agent 00Soul said:

Having said that, I think that something like George Harrison's (and Kula Shaker's) take on Indian music, which was considered very respectful in their time, would have to be presented differently if created today.

 

Given that George Harrison sought the tutelage of Ravi Shankar, I don't think anyone could call it appropriation, it was more of a gift to him

[Stub Mandrel]

3 hours ago, tegs07 said:

How far do we take this though? Are people who meditate, practice yoga or become buddhist guilty of cultural appropriation?

 

Are Indian cricketers that enjoy a nice cup of tea and a crisp ironed shirt and brogues culturally appropriating.

 

How about Bangalore call centre workers in Nike TNs, baseball caps and Jay Z T Shirts? How about if they form a rap group?

 

 

 

 

Good point. I was taught a martial art by a Malaysian Master and his student. It has Chinese, Korean, Okinawan and Japanese roots (see here https://tangsoudao.com/history-and-background/) but the style was actually developed in the UK. Read that link, it's a massive history of cultural appropriation in the Far East, if you want to take it that way.

[Burns-bass]

49 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Given that George Harrison sought the tutelage of Ravi Shankar, I don't think anyone could call it appropriation, it was more of a gift to him

The Beatles (as a group and as individuals) did massive amount to support musicians from all cultures. I think they were widely liked and respected. (Although Lennon was apparently quite a challenging character.)

 

My brother and I watched Live and Let Die today. Probably the best Bond film and certainly the best soundtrack, but some questionable portrayals of different cultures.