Sweet Honey in the Rock: A Priority

September 14, 2006

One of the great women’s ensemble of all time is Sweet Honey in the Rock. I looked in vain for some of the songs I know and love performed by them on the various video resources and have only come up with this. Mind you, these women are not a rap group. Visit their website to find out more about this venerable ensemble.

A Priority is a strong pro-women work. It’s a long piece. Stick with it to the end. Music by women is different than men. I’ll only hint at one element that I see in this work: the gestalt of the entire work is important; there does NOT have to be a climax; every moment celebrates the now as it moves forward (men tend to revel in forward momentum — screw the present, keep going fast!). I love and celebrate the multigenerational timbral ensemble here. It’s as though the old and wise elders are rocking, listening, nodding, assenting, and humming along with the young firebrands. Mm hmm.

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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Fairyboy69 September 14, 2006 at 5:00 pm

:) My darling friend Richard was very happy to hear he isn’t the only one who knows and loves them.

He has made me listen to their songs before, but I haven’t really gotten into them, I’m afraid.

Roger Bourland September 15, 2006 at 8:43 pm

You just need to work harder at getting in touch with your feminine side….
; )

Fairyboy69 September 16, 2006 at 7:45 am

But I’m having way too much fun touching my male side! ;)

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