The story of the effects of the Pentecostal movement on popular culture has never been fully explored. But any translation of religious ideas have to take this influence into account. Add to that the emphasis on feelings and a desperate hunger for intimacy and you have the stew that birthed the Woke movement as well.
“Turns out a family of one can be dysfunctional, too” This! In some ways, I feel it can be worse - especially when Stone’s family had lived and worked together, he'd lost the familiarity of the church too.
I love how the book (and your blog) ends in hope - there really is so much more music to play. A lovely, contemplative piece, Joel. Thank you for sharing with us!
Thanks, Carolyn! I think the uplifting angle is true to Sly Stone’s life and music. He was always about finding the positive—and it’s usually there if we look for it, even when things are rough and ugly.
It's something that I live by. I'm ridiculously positive - almost annoyingly so. But, like you say, there is always an element of good in everything - no matter how dire our situation.
Maybe Denton was different in the 60s, but when I majored in music there in the 80s it was even then amazingly diverse in musical styles-- with plenty of hippies. The university was a magnet for all stripes. But it took the university to expose us to the differences; Denton itself was still fairly dull, except for student enclaves around campus. And church!
Colleges were like colonial outpost for the counterculture. By the ’80s I’d guess it was everywhere there was a campus. Also: I didn’t known you majored in music!
My old boss, David Dunham, was my first real mentor in publishing. I learned a ton from him. He majored in voice at Baylor. I didn’t even know you could do that. He was a tremendous singer but made his living in books.
The story of the effects of the Pentecostal movement on popular culture has never been fully explored. But any translation of religious ideas have to take this influence into account. Add to that the emphasis on feelings and a desperate hunger for intimacy and you have the stew that birthed the Woke movement as well.
There’s a book there for someone to write! I’d eat that up.
“Turns out a family of one can be dysfunctional, too” This! In some ways, I feel it can be worse - especially when Stone’s family had lived and worked together, he'd lost the familiarity of the church too.
I love how the book (and your blog) ends in hope - there really is so much more music to play. A lovely, contemplative piece, Joel. Thank you for sharing with us!
Thanks, Carolyn! I think the uplifting angle is true to Sly Stone’s life and music. He was always about finding the positive—and it’s usually there if we look for it, even when things are rough and ugly.
It's something that I live by. I'm ridiculously positive - almost annoyingly so. But, like you say, there is always an element of good in everything - no matter how dire our situation.
I remember too, and this was pre internet, people talking about him living in his car. I guess that’s paparazzi catnip.
That was his mobile studio—basically a van with his music equipment in it. Thankfully, he’s back in a real house these days.
Ha! Glad I could help a bit. I remember buying his greatest hits in high school. Freaky funky stuff in 1989 Appalachia
I first listened to his music in high school, as well, thanks to probably the same greatest hits album.
Maybe Denton was different in the 60s, but when I majored in music there in the 80s it was even then amazingly diverse in musical styles-- with plenty of hippies. The university was a magnet for all stripes. But it took the university to expose us to the differences; Denton itself was still fairly dull, except for student enclaves around campus. And church!
Colleges were like colonial outpost for the counterculture. By the ’80s I’d guess it was everywhere there was a campus. Also: I didn’t known you majored in music!
That’s right. Music theory major with classical guitar. In spite of how un-vocational it sounds, God has used it powerfully.
My old boss, David Dunham, was my first real mentor in publishing. I learned a ton from him. He majored in voice at Baylor. I didn’t even know you could do that. He was a tremendous singer but made his living in books.
Thanks, Brian. The best thing about this project: reading interesting stuff and getting to share with interested people.