Performers: Seu Jorge
Culture: British Glam rock
Instrumentation:
Original
-Electric guitar and bass, drumset, voice, piano, cowbell
This version
-solo nylon string guitar and voice
Reaction:
For this weeks listening blog assignment, I listened to Seu Jorge’s Life aquatic sessions, for the Wes Anderson film “The Life Aquatic”. Particularly, I listened to his version of the song “Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie. Seu Jorge’s version is not only performed with a different, calmer arrangement, but also in portuguese. I find the concept of singing songs and translation fascinating. I also believe that there is much to be said for this song’s connection to the reading for this week.
Seu Jorge is a brazilian singer/songwriter who cites some of his biggest influences as samba schools and Stevie Wonder. Seu even lived a portion of his life in extreme poverty, however he continued with practicing music, eventually to record several albums, including this set of David Bowie covers. The album portrays these classic songs from American and British pop culture in a more laid back, sentimental and intimate setting, using just voice and guitar, instead of amplified instruments and a rock drum kit.
One of this weeks readings discussed the transmission of information in regards to oral and written traditions. Could this song be evidence that all of our music is or will become folk music in some respect? This was originally a famous David Bowie song from his “Glam Rock” period in the 1970’s. Although this may have been commissioned by director Wes Anderson, David bowie himself has praised these recordings, saying that “Had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs in Portuguese I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with”.
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