|
|
|
| Thu, Nov. 12 - - Mobile - RSS | |
|
|
AUDIENCES GAGA FOR GO-GO'S GODFATHER CHUCK BROWN BRINGS HIS REVOLUTIONARY SOUND TO FREDERICKSBURG SATURDAY "THERE ARE JUST UGLY PEOPLE OUT THERE. PEOPLE SHOOT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. GO-GO MUSIC IS VERY POSITIVE." CHUCK BROWN
Chuck Brown, "the Godfather of Go-Go" is coming to the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds for show Saturday. Will the trouble often associated with go-go come with him?
Date published: 9/6/2007
By MICHAEL ZITZ Chuck Brown, "the Godfather of Go-Go," is obviously going to be compared to that other "godfather" with the same surname. But Brown, the headline act for Saturday's Greater Fredericksburg Area SuperFest at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds, may have more in common with "King of Rock 'n' Roll" Elvis Presley than with "Godfather of Soul" James Brown. Both Elvis and Chuck are widely credited with germinating their genres. And both those genres, rock and go-go, have borne their share of controversy. VIOLENT MUSIC?Go-go is a subgenre of funk music that developed in the Washington area, and Brown is generally credited with getting it started. The music is a spicy blend of funk, jazz, Latin, hip-hop and soul, brought to a boil by "call and response" audience participation. It's underscored by the bass drum and snare drum, and also is identified strongly with the conga drums, timbale and handheld cowbells. Despite strong roots in the region and continuing appeal with several generations, go-go hasn't always had a positive reputation, either in Washington or here in the Fredericksburg area. Violence broke out during a go-go concert at what was then Mary Washington College during the 1990s. And just last New Year's Eve, a Prince William County man was shot and killed after a go-go performance brought fans down from the north to a Fredericksburg nightclub. During the 1980s, as the music was ascending, go-go clubs in Washington developed reputation for violence. Go-go was banned in some areas of the city. In 1988, a band called the Go-Go Posse recorded "D.C. Don't Stand for Dodge City," in an effort to stop the violence. But problems continued. In March of this year, Prince George's County, Md., closed nine area go-go clubs due to recurring violence. DEFENDING GO-GO"Go-go had nothing to do with that violence," Brown told The Free Lance-Star recently. "There are just ugly people out there. People shoot people everywhere. Go-go music is very positive." Promoters Andre Catlett of Fredericksburg and Christopher O'Neal of Tappahannock decided on Brown to headline Saturday's SuperFest after polling the local black community. Catlett said he's not worried about the crowd Brown will attract. "To me, it's not so much the music as how the event is run," he said. "I'm more worried about the alcohol factor than about the go-go factor."
Date published: 9/6/2007
Chuck Brown isn't the same as the new go-go generation
(posted by
Imyopoppa3
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I gaurantee there bon't be a problem at this event. Yes Go-go does have vilolence problems, but that is only with the newer i gues you could say, "neo-go-go bands out today. They sound completely different. Chuck Brown's Go-go is much more musical with obvious hints of soul and blues. The difference between Chuck brown and newer group such as "C.C.B," is like the difference between Dave Mathews Band and Metallica.
|
 |
|||
|
|||
