|
The California Sound refers to a popular music aesthetic engendered by 1960s pop and rock recording artists from California. It was first related to the California Myth, an idyllic narrative inspired by the state's beach culture that commonly appeared in the lyrics of commercial pop songs. Later, the Sound was expanded outside of its initial geography and subject matter and was developed to be more sophisticated and bred studio experimentation. A derivative form of it was later classified as sunshine pop. The Sound was originally identified for harnessing a wide-eyed, sunny optimism that marked southern California teenage life in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Its imagery is primarily represented by Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, who are credited for the Sound's instigation. Along with Jan and Dean, the Beach Boys encapsulated surfing, hot rod culture, and youthful innocence within music which transformed a local lifestyle into American mythology. Other propellants included songwriters and/or record producers Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher, and Roger Christian. The Beach Boys' surf music was not entirely of their own invention, being preceded by artists such as Dick Dale. However, previous surf musicians did not project a world view as the Beach Boys did. The California Sound gradually evolved to reflect a more musically ambitious and mature world view, becoming less to do with surfing and cars and more about social consciousness and political awareness. Between 1964 and 1969, it fueled innovation and transition, inspiring artists to tackle largely unmentioned themes such as sexual freedom, black pride, drugs, oppositional politics, and war. ==Origins== The genesis of the California Sound is said to be the Beach Boys' debut single "Surfin'" in 1961. While the band's leader Brian Wilson then collaborated with Jan Berry for several hit singles written and produced for other artists, they recorded what would later be regarded the California Sound. University of Southern California history professor Kevin Starr has stated that the band was historically important for embodying the era of the Silent Generation, which he described as unpolitical. He explained that the group "could not help but mythologize a landscape and way of life that was already so surreal, so proto-mythic, in its setting. Cars and the beach, surfing, the California Girl, all this fused in the alembic of youth: Here was a way of life, an iconography, already half-released into the chords and multiple tracks of a new sound." The California Sound was thus a musical translation of the California Myth. In the book ''Pioneers of Rock and Roll: 100 Artists Who Changed the Face of Rock'', Harry Sumrall summarized: The Beach Boys' surf music was not entirely of their own invention, being preceded by artists such as Dick Dale. However, previous surf musicians did not project a world view as the Beach Boys did. Wilson once said of its myth: "It's not just the surfing; it's the outdoors and cars and sunshine; it's the society of California; it's the ''way'' of California." Al Jardine of the Beach Boys argued that "It’s not entirely a myth. There are still some elements that are certainly true, especially for a first-time observer. But to be able to come here and to drive that coast on Route 1 ... you experience the water and the animals and the sea life, the whole thing. It’s really magical. It really is."〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/02/al-jardine-and-the-myth-of-california/ )〕 Allmusic's review of the group's "All Summer Long" calls it a "potent example" of the California Myth's "idyllic dream world of sun, surf, and fun" while containing qualities of sunshine pop.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.allmusic.com/song/all-summer-long-mt0029933795 )〕 Author Luis Sanchez believes that the entirety of the album ''All Summer Long'' (1964) was "the nearest the Beach Boys ever got to a perfect version of the California myth." David Howard wrote that "Don't Worry Baby" was a "subtle harbinger for the growing dichotomy within the California Sound. While 'I Get Around' symbolized the sunshine ideal in all its carefree splendor, 'Don't Worry Baby' suggested something entirely more pensive and even slightly dark underneath its pristine facade." 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「California Sound」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|