I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'

By luigi_pagano

Wed, 28 Aug 2024
  • 275 reads
4 comments
 
I am an old man who considers himself a traditionalist but I'm called a stick-in-the-mud because I don't seem enthusiastic about the recently announced reunion of that definitely (maybe) pop group Oasis.
 
Thirty years ago, when they were at the top of their fame, tickets for one of their concerts cost £22.50 which I thought was exorbitant. Now they are rumoured they'll go on sale for £100.00 or more.
 
My purse stayed firmly shut then and it shall do so now.
 
Don't get me wrong: I like music, though my tastes tend to veer towards classical and jazz and it was with pleasure I came across an old recording of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald singing 'I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'.
 
I sat back, closed my eyes, switched off my mind, and listened to Satchmo's gravelly voice and Ella's smoother vocalisation.
 
When the performance ended, I began to wonder whether the opera had any negative connotation regarding racism especially as it had been written, produced and directed by white men.
 
It appears that it has been controversial since its beginning and continues to be so today as it reinforces stereotypes.
 
Some say that the opera's portrayal of African American life does not reflect social diversity and that justice is not equally available to all Americans because of race and class.
 
One positive side is that Gershwin, who had a genuine respect for Black culture, insisted that all performances be by black casts and stipulated it in his will.
 
As it all happened in a period when segregation was at its height and the only representation of a Black actor was achieved by painting a white man's face black, it can only be seen as a plus.
 
The music of what has been called 'the first great American opera' is a mixture of jazzy harmonies, soaring melodies and blues, and I, unashamedly, enjoyed it a lot.
 
 
 
© Luigi Pagano 2024
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Comments

Submitted by Nolan on

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose, nothing 's not worth nothing but it's free

Jazz is good music especially the classics, go stagger Lee! .The strolling bones were here the other day, sad, just for a few bucks.

It's a good day here Liugi, it is Spring! Nolan &

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Nice to hear you are having a good day Nolan. Over here in the UK summer is nearly over and we're heading toward Autumn.

Best, Luisi

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

No one like Armstrong and Ella now - I agree with you Luigi. I love listening to 'What a Wonderful World' and I've heard 'World on a String' by Ella and by Sinatra, both different takes and both magical. There was a recent story on 'Sunday Morning' that showed an opera group in Italy bringing diversity to the opera with all cultures auditioning. It was eye opening,I didnt realize how opera had shut out so many groups of people. Maybe that is changing; I hope so.

Penny4athought

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi JoAnn, concerning attitudes toward ethnic participation in music, especially opera, things have improved to a certain extent. I have learned that in 1935 the New York Metropolitan did not allow black performers so the premiere took place at Carnegie Hall. The Met premiered the show 50 years later with further productions after that. Without more research, it isn't easy to ascertain how far the situation has progressed.

Luigi x