CBC Radio's Jian Ghomeshi, host of 'Q', interviewed an acapella group from NYC this week. Naturally 7 has become a sensation in Europe while remaining virtually uknown here in North America. What does that say about that status of the arts, and our acceptance of public displays of art, in North America? Check out the YouTube video of their performance on a subway car. [ED: There is some question about where this video was shot, though the most popular opinion online is that it was in France, not NYC as I had previously stated.] (I'd recommend really turning this one up!)
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3 comments:
Wow, that is just great! Anyone who hasn't clicked 'play' yet needs to!
From what I can gather, most the other passengers got right into it after a few minutes, even that blonde woman who appeared to be annoyed at first. But that one guy with the headphones on is right next to the singers and keeps his back turned and poker face the whole time. Not sure if he really didn't care or if he was trying to make some kind of point by snubbing the group. Either way, his loss.
Hi,
I saw these guys back up
Michael Buble last Saturday in London, Ontario. They are incredible. The signed autographs afterward and they all seemed like a great bunch of guys, very humble, happy and full of spirit and energy. I bought their CD. It is moving and inspirational and it kicks butt to. They do all their instruments vocally, yes the drums and bass too! They were like seeing the tempatations and the 4 tops and the Funk Brothers all rolled into one. Mark
IMO, this clip is a real documentary on the attitude of the public towards arts. You have so many emotions -- disdain, excitement, passive acceptance, etc. You've got those who are converted (the lady who ends up singing with the band at the end) and those migrate from the other end of the car (the European lady at the end of the video) to see this great performance.
The video is a microcosm of the arts world we live in, especially in Windsor. More importantly it shows how we can rehabilitate our arts scene. First, find a great product and put it front and centre for the public to see. Hiding our talented artists, regardless of the medium, is a travesty. Get these people out in the open for everyone to see. Second, actively solicit the migrators, those who will come and find great artists, to see what we have to offer. Lastly, support the seekers -- those who, if exposed to enough high quality art and artists, will become converted and fully embrace the entire art community. Remember, you won't convert the 'iPod' people (the guy who basically refuses to acknowledge the performance happening right behind him) but everyone else is fair game.
Who'da thunk that a YouTube video could be a commentary on the Windsor arts scene?
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