Hippie Sounds

You can whine about this blog if you want; but I’ll just refer you to this very long and boring post to read

by Jennifer on July 5th, 2007

So, if you’re reading this post, I’ll assume one of three things…

1. Just plain curiosity.
2. You can’t get to sleep and think this might help (which, by the way, it will)
3. You’ve been whining non-stop about some aspect of Hippie Sounds, like the blogroll or how people born out of the 60s can’t truly respect music from this era; and were thus (due to said whining) referred here by your’s truly.

If it’s number one, I’d leave now, the rest of the blog is more interesting. If it’s two good luck; hope it works.

And if it’s three this is your punishment — you probably took something too far and instead of thoughtful arguments whined. And I can’t stand whining. So, #3 read on, then chill, then come back and join the rest of us.

What Hippie Sounds (the blog) is really all about:

“People today are still living off the table scraps of the sixties. They are still being passed around — the music and the ideas.”
~ Bob Dylan

I grew up around hippies. Mom was a semi-hippie, pretty sure dad was a hippie, mom’s friends; hippies and hippie bikers. I’ve lived in (or extendedly crashed in) some major hippie hot spots; like Humboldt, Eugene, San Francisco, the back of a truck for one seemingly never ending road trip.

And here’s the rub that always comes up. No matter where you go or who you ask you’re always gonna get a different definition of “hippie” and in conjunction, “hippie music.” Believe me, I wouldn’t even bring this up, but I’ve seen more than a few long-ranging and insane argumentative debates around this topic.

I like the name of this blog. It brings to mind something specific right away. What that something specific is depends on you and your experiences. What comes to mind when you hear the words, “hippie sounds?” Think… got it? Good.

Now here’s what I think.

Hippie has a semi-technical definition that refers to a subgroup of the counterculture that began in the U.S in the early 60s. (If you wanna go by dictionary standards). Hippie music has a definition I’ve seen around, that says, a fusion of rock music, folk, blues, and psychedelic music. Not too bad, but what about instrumental, country, and classical — all of which, and much more, have been included in 60s and 70s music.

The music of the 60s and 70s sort of fell into this, “Hippie” category by default. There are pros and cons of this. When someone says, “Hippie music” it’s clear right away that they aren’t talking Slayer or Garth Brooks. Mozart doesn’t come to right to mind and neither does the Beastie Boys. So the title serves as a purpose of elimination of sorts.

What gets tricky is when you try to use, “Hippie music” as the all-purpose title for defining every 60s and 70s album ever written.

Take one of my favorites, Joni Mitchell. Undoubtedly she brings to mind a quintessential hippie image — back during her early days with albums like Song To A Seagull or Ladies Of The Canyon. But does she bring to mind the same “hippie” image when you listen to Mingus or even Hejra? Not so much; even though all of these albums came out of the 60s and 70s.

Or look at The Beatles; so different from Please Please Me to Abbey Road. Which album is more “hippie” to you? Which is from the 60s — oh yeah, both.

Based on the above, here’s how we’re gonna play this:

1) Titles around this blog:

Personally, I’ve been called “hippie, crunchy, granola girl” and a slew of other like-titles for a good long while now. However, you can call me “Jennifer” and I’ll still dress the same, listen to my albums, and I’ll likely never cut my hair.

If you want to call me a hippie fine, crunchy okay, Jennifer — even better. If you want to be called a beatnik, hippie, rasta, neo-hippie, 70s music lover, punk, or Bob — great, most anything will fly here.

2) Music around this blog:

I may say (and you might say too) “hippie” music, 60s music, 70s music, what have you, but titles are less important than focus. And the focus here is going to be music that grew into this era, came out of this era, was inspired by this era, and sometimes I ramble (can you tell yet) so really anything even semi-relevant is up for discussion.

3) Problems?

Hopefully you at least somewhat agree that Hippie Sounds can and should be broad ranging. Don’t agree with the definition of Hippie Sounds? Even (gasp) hate “hippie music?” Fine, even better… as Mark Twain said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.“

But none of us are up for a whine-fest or rudeness.

Example whine-fest: My friend, who already saw this blog, and I had a chat the other day:

• Friend: Where’s Yes, why isn’t Yes in the blogroll; are you crazy or something.
• Me: Well, I sort of think of Yes as more British Progressive Rock than hippie per say.
• Friend: Yeah, but they’re from the right era!
• Me: Okay, you have a good point but…
• Friend (cuts me off): I don’t even think this blog can be called a “music” blog without Yes because they defined…blah blah …(Here’s where I tuned out for a while).
• Me: I just can’t add every single link of every single band that your brother’s, girlfriend’s dog likes. That might get a little nuts.

Friend then gives me a speech regarding each and every band I missed; why that sucks, and how I need to fix it ASAP. This is a good example of a whine-fest.

I’d like to add each link — and especially if you yourself (a reader) has a cool link, I’d love to add it to the “Kind Friends” category. But as far as bands go — If I added every link to every band that came out of this era then b5media would need to give me more space.

We can disagree and still have a peaceful gathering of voices here. Constructive agreement, thought, and criticism is the goal.

Now that I’ve addressed this heated topic we can all relax and enjoy the music — which is why you’re here anyway right?

Oh, and if you’re interested my friend and I made up — but as you can see his whining didn’t help the poor Yes cause.

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POSTED IN: Blog Rules, Hippies