Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Music in the News - Venus/Saturn

Recently a few articles relating to music, protest songs, and/or country music have appeared almost simultaneously.

Looking at the ephemeris I see that Venus (representing music and song) is edging close to Saturn (authority, rules & government). The two planets will exactly conjoin in critical Virgo in around two weeks' time. No doubt the arguments on these topics will continue until well after that.

These are the articles:

1. Country Music Deserts George Bush, by Tim Shipman
It appears that contemporary country music artist Toby Keith and others have started speaking out against the war in Iraq.

"No one has moved further than Toby Keith and Darryl Worley, two of the biggest names in country music.
In 2002, Keith had a huge hit with Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, which includes the lyric: “You’ll be sorry that you messed with the US of A, ’cause we’ll put a boot in your ass - it’s the American Way.”


Now, it appears that things have changed. A little late in seeing the light, pals - but better late than never, I guess.



2. "Joni Mitchell Lashes out at Catholic Church on New CD" by Roger Friedman
Joni's new CD contains a track "Shine". Lyrics include these words:

"Shine on lousy leadership
Licensed to kill
Shine on dying soldiers
In patriotic pain
Shine on mass destruction
In some God's name! "









3. "Two Musical Visions of America" by Howie Klein

Howie Klein discusses the differences between Woodie Guthrie's old song of protest, "The Land is Your Land" and the new lyrics put to "God Bless America" by the Church of God Choir from Springfield Ohio. Videos of both songs are included.




4. Loosely connected with music and authority:
"The Musicologist who wasn't allowed into the country" by Ivan Katz
- Tells of a recent debacle by Homeland Security, who have denied a British music professor entry into the USA, and sent her back to London, visa torn up. No official help forthcoming to date. Whatever happened to that much quoted "special relationship" between UK and USA, one wonders.

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