Bob Marley History

2007-09-29T04:33:00.000-07:00

Reggae History 70s-80s by Donald Spence

Reggae History 70s to early 80s

The Reggae beat has been through many stages since its formulation in Jamaica in the early 1960s. It began with the Ska beat which derives from a strong influence of rhythm & blues, and then Rocksteady, before reaching it's worldwide appeal as Reggae during the Seventies to early Eighties and producing such artist's as: Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Junior Delgado, Burning Spear, Third World, Pat Kelly, Matumbi, Black Uhuru, Black Roots, Big Youth, The Mighty Diamonds, One Blood, Junior English, Bunny Wailer, Prince Lincoln , Pablo Gad, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Carol Thompson, Louisa Marks, Janet Kay, Sister Love, and many more big name Reggae performers. We must remember that Bob Marley was the fore runner for all the above mentioned artist's. The 12" 45rpm vinyl record was first introduced during this period of reggae history, and toasting (an early form of rapping) was a also a seventies invention. It was started by Sound System DJs at dances to futher entertain their audiences and became so popular that many artist's began adding toasting to their records to make their tunes unique. The Reggae beat also became faster and more sophisticated musically, to keep up with the new sound coming in from the USA called Funk which used the aid of the new electronic musical instruments and included the famous syndrome used on many a tune. Meanwhile artist's and musicians living in the UK had a hard time establishing a foot hold in the Reggae market due to Jamaica's dominance. Up to now Reggae did not have a romantic side, and it was felt that the lovers amongst us should be catered for, so Lover's rock was born right here in the U.K, showing a softer side to this wonderful music. Lovers rock also covered many of the popular pop songs in the UK charts and made cover versions almost the norm. Even the vinyl records suddenly changed colour from their usual black, to green, white, yellow, blue, multi and many others in between. Roots music, which had a heavy Reggae bass line and lyrics to match, really captured the mood of what life is like living in the ghetto. It also became the fore runner for another style, called Steppers, an almost dance beat that you step to. Last but not least Rockers derives mainly from taking the old Rock Steady rhythms and revamping them with a new bass line and beat. Think of it as early remixing of a slow tune into diso dance tune which is used today throughout the music industry.

You can find these tunes for sale on this site.

This period was also a very enterprising time for creating your own records labels although most of them are no longer around, but this website has many exhibits of these labels, plus many more to come, they are a rarity in their own right.

About the Author
During this period I was an avid record buyer and as a consequence I built up a vast and extensive collection , I also ran my own recording studio until the late 90s. which equiped me with a sound knowledge on the subject. http://www.reggaerevive45.com/acatalog/Reggae_History.html

2007-03-22T02:22:00.000-07:00

Planning A Nautical Wedding Theme by Buyweddingfavorsonline.com

Above deck! Dead ahead is the wedding ceremony of the decade. Are you a sailor? Absolutely love the water? This may be the wedding theme you've been searching for. Read on for how one bride created the nautical wedding of her dreams..

Start off by sending save the date and invitations that have a nautical look and feel. Sailboats, shells, lighthouse - whatever evokes the feeling of being at the ocean.

You can hold your nautical wedding in a country club, dockside, or around a crystal blue lake. A beautiful red, white, and blue color scheme makes it easy for you to start off the planning of your wedding. No frilly white dress for you - you're a practical sort of woman. One who wants to be able to move and enjoy her wedding day. A classic empire waist wedding gown sets the tone for your elegant nautical wedding. Your beautiful A-Line cut dress with pearls and Swarovski crystals spread across the bustline accents your athletic curves. After all, you're in fantastic shape from sailing and spending long days on the water. Your light summer tan provides you with a beautiful base and you glow throughout the day naturally.

Accent your wedding dress with an elegant, yet simple classic pearl and Swarovski Crystal bridal jewelry set. Your bridesmaids look positively radiant in the shimmering dresses you've selected - the exact blue of the sea that you love so well. To finish off your bridal party's gorgeous look, select jewelry for bridesmaids in blue crystal These bridesmaid necklace sets make a great thank you gift for the support and help they've provided you in getting your day pulled together.

Your guests are having the time of their life drinking Blue Hawaiian Cocktails and nibbling on crab cakes with fruit and cheese appetizers while waiting to enter the ballroom. Your carefully selected music sets the mood for relaxing and having a good time. Think Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and throw in some Bob Marley for a reggae beat your guests are sure to move to.

Your red, white and blue theme looks absolutely stunning to your guests as they enter the room designated for dinner. Each table has red, white, and blue tablecloths with alternating red, white, and blue napkins on top. Your guests are treated to a great nautical candle wedding favor at each place setting.

Your gift table also carries the red, white, and blue nautical look with your white wedding card holder sitting majestically in the center. Your stunning wedding cake has red roses cascading from the top down to the bottom layer.

The food you serve should remind guests of a trip to the beach. A great shrimp pasta dish is the perfect main course but be sure to offer a chicken pasta dish for your guests that don't eat seafood. If you prefer a buffet, the meal will be even easier. Think carving roasts and turkey breasts with various cold salads. Sprinkle seashells throughout the buffet table.

After dinner, kick off your heels and head to the dance floor. Your guests are sure to quickly follow since the music you selected makes you want to get up and dance. If you're holding your reception outdoors, this is the perfect time to launch red, white, and blue balloons to get the party rolling.

Now head off to that tropical beach for your honeymoon in delicious lingerie sure to bring a smile to your husband's face. Enjoy your honeymoon because you've certainly earned it!

About the Author
Nautical and Beach Party Favors - BuyWeddingFavorsOnline.com

2007-03-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

Caribbean Art Brightens More Than Walls by Jennifer Smith

Arts have always been one of the most important aspects of Caribbean culture. As more and more artists from the region attract international acclaim and attention, the unique style of Caribbean painters is becoming accessible to wider and more diverse audiences.

Music and literature are, perhaps, the best-known Caribbean art forms, with famous names like musician Bob Marley and poet Derek Walcott creating works the whole world enjoys. But painting is growing as a recognized form of expression. Such colorful depictions of island life are especially popular in Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica.

Art History

The unique sights and sounds of the Caribbean have always been an inspiration to any who experience them. The bright colors of the region's landscapes and vibrant personalities of its people are particularly important in the region. The Caribbean's art history does contain a few surprises. Both Camille Pissarro and John Audubon, famous artists, were born in the Caribbean. Although their styles are not typical of the area, they have been influential in the development of regional art.

Pissarro was born on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, then at the age of 12 he moved to France. After he completed school, Pissarro returned to St. Thomas. When he moved to Paris a second time, Pissarro became very influential among the Impressionists. Similarly, John Audubon was born in Haiti and moved to France at a young age. His study of birds took off during his later move to America.

However, Europe may only lay claim to some of the influences behind Caribbean artwork. African and Latin American styles are also strongly represented. African colors and people are often the subjects of paintings, with shades of Latin American styles to influence the images.

Artistic Discovery

Fine Caribbean art can be found on many islands, but Cuban artists have been flourishing since the beginning of the 20th century. The political strife on Haiti and Cuba in particular have provided island artists the opportunity to express complex emotions and political beliefs through their paintings.

Cuba's Wilfredo Lam was one of the first Caribbean artists to gain worldwide recognition. An associate of both Picasso and Georges Braque, which added to his success, he was widely respected. The popularity of Lam quickly turned the art world's attention toward the entire region.

Fine works of art can be found on islands throughout the Caribbean, including Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. The Internet has also helped art aficionados access these unique styles by allowing people to view artists' works online without having to catch a plane or physically travel to a gallery or museum that features Caribbean artists - though many of the world's most famous galleries now have Caribbean collections.

However, fine works of art from many countries throughout the Caribbean also make popular souvenirs for those who do visit. Travelers enjoy bringing them home, and, luckily, fine arts are not included in the customs allowance for travelers returning to the United States from the Caribbean.

For anyone who craves visual art that is unique and refreshing, the beautiful works of Caribbean painters are a breath of fresh air. Artists who use the Caribbean's one-of-a-kind scenery and lifestyle as the basis for their art provide a new and creative way to view paradise.

About the Author
Jennifer Smith writes for Jamaica-Guide.info, StKitts-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.

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Article may only be reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links remain live.

2007-03-08T02:02:00.000-08:00

How to make your dream wedding in the exotics of Jamaica
by Groshan Fabiola

Jamaica lies south of Cuba in the western half of the Caribbean. Jamaica is the perfect place for a vacation wedding or a Jamaican honeymoon. It was for several centuries under British rule and has maintained close ties with the United Kingdom since independence in 1962. Jamaica is among the most distinctive of Caribbean isles, primarily as the birthplace of Rastafarianism, which suffuses the culture, as does the music of the island's most famous native son Bob Marley.

Jamaica prides itself on being a perfect wedding and honeymoon destination. Many resorts specialize in this market. Some, such as SuperClubs and Sandals (both known for their all-inclusive, couples-only resorts) even offer free wedding packages. The all-inclusive concept was born in Jamaica and no other destination has so successfully matured and marketed the concept.

There are many all-inclusive resorts, which are run to very high standards. However, my favourite romantic retreats lie at the other end of the spectrum, in small boutique hotels offering a combination of ultra-chic ambience and intimacy that is synonymous with romance. Again, Jamaica excels, with local entrepreneur Chris Blackwell's Island Outpost group having conceived some of the most welcoming and delightful boutique hotels in the world. They draw notables from Naomi Campbell to Pierce Brosnan, but fortunately most are surprisingly affordable.

Weather wise, there are only two seasons: wet (May-Nov) and dry (Dec-April). The best time to visit is during dry season, when rainfall is at a minimum and most of the island basks in sunshine.

In summer, prolonged afternoon showers or heavy downpours are typical island wide. Several days or even weeks of unbroken rain are also possible in summer, however, especially in the northeast, although this varies year to year. Summer and fall are also hurricane season, although the chance of a hurricane actually striking the island is relatively slim.

Though rimmed by coastal plains and fine sandy beaches, Jamaica is predominantly mountainous. In the east, the Blue Mountains (known for the world-famous coffee grown here) rise to 7,402 feet. Despite its relatively small size, the isle boasts several distinct climates: the mountainous northeast, centered on the old banana-shipping port of Port Antonio, receives copious rainfall and is exceedingly lush, whereas the relatively flat south-central coast, centered on Treasure Beach, lies in a rain shadow and the predominant vegetation is cactus and thorn scrub.

Jamaica is remarkably well developed in terms of activities. Visitors can choose from jet skiing, scuba diving, and sunset boat trips to mountain biking, crocodile safaris, and horseback rides.

Flight service to Jamaica which is well served by both scheduled and charter service varies according to season, although there is daily service from throughout Canada and the USA year-round. The best airfare deals are off-season, in summer.

About the Author
For more resources about Jamaica Wedding or even about Negril Wedding and of course, about Jamaican Wedding please review these links.

2007-02-26T23:34:00.000-08:00

2007-02-20T23:07:00.000-08:00

Universal Orlando from A to Z
by Ryan Wiseman

With two amazing theme parks - Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure - as well as the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex and three luxurious hotels - Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort - Universal Orlando definitely has something for everyone. Below are just a few of the Universal Orlando rides, attractions, restaurants, specialty shops and annual events that you can discover and explore during your vacation getaway to Universal Orlando . . .

Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man: A one-of-a-kind indoor thrill ride at Marvel Super Hero Island in Universal's Islands of Adventure that combines live action and state-of-the-art special effects.

Bob Marley Reggae Fest: A celebration of the music of legendary Reggae singer Bob Marley at Universal CityWalk that features lively performances from some of today's top Reggae superstars.

CityWalk: A 30-acre entertainment complex at the entrance to Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios that features a variety of themed restaurants such as Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and Hard Rock Café, as well as specialty shops and Universal Cineplex.

Dueling Dragons: The world's first inverted, dueling roller coasters (Fire Dragon and Ice Dragon) at The Lost Continent in Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Earthquake - The Big One: An indoor thrill ride at San Franciso/Amity in Universal Studios that allows you to experience an earth-shattering quake that measures 8.3 on the Richter Scale!

Fievel's Playground: A themed play area at Woody Woodpecker's KidZone in Universal Studios that is based on the classic animated adventure, An American Tail.

Grinchmas at Universal Studios: An annual holiday celebration at Seuss Landing in Universal's Islands of Adventure that features a tree-lighting ceremony, Whoville Whobilation musical show and more.

Halloween Horror Nights: An immensely popular annual fright fest held at both Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Islands of Adventure: One of Universal Orlando's two world-class theme parks that features five uniquely themed islands - Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon.

Jurassic Park River Adventure: A water-based ride at Jurassic Park in Universal's Islands of Adventure that features animatronic dinosaurs, a "Raptor Containment Area" and 85-foot plunge into a splash pool.

Kingpin's Arcade: An immense video-game arcade that lies next to Dr. Doom's Fearfall at Marvel Super Hero Island in Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Lost Continent: One of the five "islands" at Universal's Islands of Adventure that features such attractions as Dueling Dragons, Poseidon's Fury, The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad and The Flying Unicorn.

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios: The largest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans with live concerts, colorful parades, delicious cuisine, plenty of beads and much more.

New York: One of six themed areas at Universal Studios that features Twister . . . Ride It Out, Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride and The Blues Brothers.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: An aerial adventure that soars you high over Seuss Landing in Universal's Islands of Adventure aboard Dr. Seuss-inspired, fish-shaped vehicles.

Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges: A thrilling whitewater rafting adventure at Toon Lagoon in Universal's Islands of Adventure that winds its way around the Me Ship, The Olive play area.

Quint's Surf Shack: A themed specialty store located in the San Francisco/Amity area of Universal Studios.

Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride: An incredible, indoor "psychological" thrill ride that features an army of "warrior mummies" at the New York area of Universal Studios.

Shrek 4-D: A thrilling, state-of-the-art 4-D adventure that takes you along with Shrek, Donkey and Princess Fiona on a new adventure as they battle the evil ghost of Lord Farquaad.

Terminator 2: 3-D: An amazing indoor attraction at the Hollywood area of Universal Studios that combines live action, state-of-the-art 3-D technology and incredible special effects.

Universal Studios: One of Universal Orlando's two world-class theme parks and known as the "No. 1 movie studio theme park in the world."

Velvet Sessions: An award-winning rock 'n' roll cocktail party held at Velvet Bar in the Hard Rock Hotel that features live music from some of today's hottest bands.

Woody Woodpecker's KidZone: One of six themed areas at Universal Studios and home to E.T. Adventure, A Day in the Park with Barney, Fievel's Playland, Curious George Goes to Town, Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster and Animal Actors on Location.

X (a.k.a. Destination X): An annual pro wrestling pay-per-view event from Total Nonstop Wrestling (TNA) that is scheduled to be taped at the Universal Studios' IMPACT! Zone soundstage on March 11, 2007.

Yertle the Turtle: A character from one of Dr. Seuss' famous children's books and resident of Seuss Landing at Universal's Islands of Adventures.

Zydeco Hellraisers: One of the talented New Orleans bands scheduled to appear at Mardi Gras at Universal Studios, which takes place nearly every Saturday night until mid-April.

About the Author
Orlando, Florida Guide, the best guide to Orlando, offers discount Universal Orlando tickets, discount Disney World tickets and discount SeaWorld Orlando tickets, as well as discount Orlando hotels and individually tailored Orlando vacation packages.

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2007-02-14T23:52:00.000-08:00

Let's Dread Together and Feel Alright
by Kristen Lem

Dreadlocks are a great way to completely change your look and make a statement with your hair. Its Rastafarian origins are linked as far back as the biblical Samson who wore his hair in dreadlocks and lost his unsurpassed strength when Delilah cut off his seven locks. Contrary to the belief that dreads are always tied to drugs, they are also a symbol of non-violence and non-conformity, and worn as a heavy spiritual statement.

If you've decided you want to try this bold and unique hair style, there are many ways to go about it. After much research and mellow conversation, I've found the most versatile and natural method is one called "backcombing." This technique is all natural and will work on virtually any hair type that is 3 inches or longer. Also, hair will look like dreads once completed, compared to the "neglect" method which takes at least 10" of hair and 3 years. Be warned, this is a labor intensive process and will take several hours - nothing a couple of good friends and a Bob Marley CD can't handle!

Backcombing

1. Start with hair that is clean and completely residue free. Use a purifying shampoo such as the Back to Basics Cleanse Clarifying Citrus Sage. Do not use a conditioner. Make sure hair is completely dry before starting the backcombing process.

2. Section the hair into 1"-2" squares - these will make round dreads. Temporarily secure the sections with a rubber band.

3. Start close to the scalp (not more than 1" away) and use a dread comb to comb the hair towards the scalp until the hair starts to pack up at the roots. Do not twist the hair, but rather roll the hair between your fingers as you are backcombing.

4. Continue working towards the end of the hair, keeping the dread as tight as possible. Secure the end with a rubber band.

5. Secure the dread at the scalp with another rubber band to keep it tight at its base. These rubber bands can be cut later once the dreads have matured.

6. When all the hair has been completed apply a petroleum-free dread wax to each dread.

Your dreadlocks should be in full affect once the process is done, however they will begin to tighten and smooth as they mature. With proper maintenance, full maturity can be reached in as little as 3-4 months. Be sure to continue using dread wax that does not contain petroleum and a purifying dread shampoo.

For difficult dreads, keep a rubber band on the scalp end. Also try rubbing the root of the dread in a clock wise direction against the scalp to help it lock up.

About the Author
Kristen is a Hair and Beauty Product Writer and Specialist for popular brands including FHI, Crede, Yuko System, Paul Mitchell, Redken, ISH Ionic Rescue, Alterna and more

2007-02-12T17:37:00.000-08:00

The Sweet Sounds Of Kid Songs - A Complete Review.
by Glen B. Porter

Every child enjoys listening to music and at present there are so many kid songs created by wonderful talented artists, it can be difficult to choose a favorite. Music is not only a great way to help children learn and interact with one another but also a wonderful way to have some good fun. Kid songs differ by style and artist so your little tot has a wide selection of options for his musical tastes.

Among all the hottest bands that make up the wide collection of kids songs is the Laurie Berkner Band; a hot favorite among little ones across the United States. Laurie Berkner works jointly with her husband and her trusted friend to write and produce a huge number of kid songs for your little one to enjoy. For sure, this band offers a varied portfolio of musical styles to meet any music lover's tastes.

The kid songs are appealing to both kids and adults alike and the different kinds of musical styles the band makes use of are simply brilliant. This offers a unique opportunity for children to be introduced to a number of different types of music. Say for instance, the Laurie Berkner Band has created a few songs that appeal to the blues. Several of my daughter's favorite kid songs are written in the classic blues style. Of which, the band produced a lovely tune called "I know a Chicken" that helps children learn more about animals and its sounds. Besides, it also introduces them to the rhythmic blues tempo found in music from that genre. In fact the song almost reminds me of a song performed by the Muddy Waters Blues Band.

In addition, the Laurie Berkner Band also offers kid songs that have an island appeal to kids. Another song with a cool reggae beat is the song "Under a Shady Tree" that is easily recognized by any Bob Marley fan. This helps children gain a feeling for various types of music and it helps them understand that a place can be captured by a tune.

Though none can match up with the Laurie Berkner Band, there are lots of other bands that offer great kid sings. The popular kid's channel, Noggin features this band in a number of shows and specials. These specials and shows are on the top of our household's family viewing listing.

As for my daughter, she simply looks forward to seeing what this exciting children's band has to offer next. Yes, sometimes I have to admit I do, too. Who would ever think that kid sings could be so educational and entertaining.

About the Author
Glen B. Porter provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for entertainment, recreation as well as other related information.

2007-02-10T04:04:00.000-08:00

The Origins of Reggae Music
by Morgan Hamilton

Caribbean music has entertained many music fans and has a great influence on the rest of the world. Music from the Caribbean islands such as Calypso, ska, rock steady and dancehall have evolved from each other and fused into what we know as reggae music. This music genre has also been influenced by elements of African rhythms and American blues. Strong bass lines and the bass drum beating characterize this music genre.

Reggae music originated from the island nation of Jamaica. This country is home to many homegrown musicians and record producers who have developed the distinctive style. Lee 'Scratch' Perry is the most famous Jamaican producer. He is responsible for launching the careers of many reggae musicians.

Artists such as Burning Spear and Horace Andy spread reggae music beyond the islands. However, none of them can match Bob Marley in terms of popularizing this music to the rest of world. No Woman, No Cry, Buffalo Soldier and Redemption Song are just some of Marley's hits. When he passed away, he enjoyed legendary status and was given a state funeral in Jamaica.

In addition to Bob Marley, Johnny Nash, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, and other crossover singers also had success in the British pop charts. The Police, UB40, Selector, The Clash and The Specials fused reggae music with rock. In fact, one of the first multi racial groups in the UK was the British band UB40.

Social issues, such as poverty and political freedom are addressed in the lyrics of many reggae songs. These songs are the anthems of the poor who grow up in shanty towns and are still struggling to make ends meet. Some of the songs are about the beliefs of the Rastafarian religion, of which Marley was a practitioner. There are explorations of spirituality, invoking God, or Jah as he is called in some of the songs. However, some reggae songs are controversial because they defend the use of cannabis which Rastafarians advocate.

Reggae Music in all of its forms, have influenced and led on to other forms of music, namely drum and bass and hip hop. So far, nobody has taken over from Marley's mantle and rap and R & B dominate the charts at the moment. Music experts say that Reggae music needs another charismatic figure to spread the word.

This unique kind of music has achieved a lot considering that it came out of a small island with early recordings produced on basic equipment. People responded to the melodic simplicity of the music and the heartfelt lyrics. There was always a high standard of musicianship and a direct connection between the artists and the fans in reggae music. Since nobody can keep a good thing down, this Caribbean music will surely rise again.

About the Author
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Reggae Music. Visit our site for more helpful information about History of Reggae Music and other similar topics.

2007-02-06T00:09:00.000-08:00

Rastalocks
by Kristy Pass

You've heard about dreadlocks, know they became popular as the fame of singer songwriter Bob Marley grew and have probably even read about their history. But do you know why you should get dreadlocks?

There are many reasons for wearing dreadlocks and looking like one of the stars is one of them. If that's your motivation, you can emulate Lenny Kravitz, Whoopie Goldberg, Rob Zombie, Ani DiFranco, or even the famous Rastafarian Bob Marley himself. There is no doubt that by sporting dreadlocks you'll be making a strong fashion statement. Like the actors, athletes and every day people that have come before you, you're dreadlocks will certainly draw attention.

Perhaps, though, your motivation for dreadlocks is of a spiritual nature. Rastafarians since the 1930's have been wearing dreadlocks to echo their belief system citing the Bible verse Leviticus 21:5: "They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh." Even the term "dreadlocks" is a form of spirituality signifying the "a fear of the Lord". The Sadhus and Sadhvis or Indian holy men and women believed their dreadlocks were sacred and helped them remember that physical appearances were not important. In China, though, dreadlocks were thought to bring good health.

Another reason for wearing dreadlocks is as a form of self and group expression. The Cyber Goth movement in Europe and Ravers in the United States are wearing dreadlock wigs and extensions made with brightly colored fibers. Many people view it as a statement of ethnic pride including people who are honoring their Celtic and Viking ancestry. Dreadlocks have been called a symbol of black unity and power as well as the outward display for environmental activism. Even the rock scene is joining the creative expressionists as artists like Rob Zombie and Mike Borden choose dreadlocks over the former metal mania norm of long hair.

There's one last reason you should get dreadlocks; Freedom. Whether you want to wear your hair down and flowing, bound on the top of your head, pulled back in a rubber band, covered with a shroom hat or even going every which way in a dreadlock version of spikes, you can because with dreadlocks you are not tied to a comb and your style is only limited by your imagination.

So take the plunge and get your killer Rastalocks today.

About the Author
Kristy Pass is a stay at home mom, marketing mentor, and amatuer writer. If you've found her latest article helpful, you'll love what you find at http://gkpass.infopal.hop.clickbank.net

2007-02-01T21:47:00.000-08:00

Bob Marley and His Music by Sharon White

Robert Nesta Marley was born in Nine Mile, St Annes, Jamaica, on February 6, 1945. He was the son of an English military officer and a Jamaican woman. He was moved to a pitiable district of Kingston Trenchtown. In the beginning of sixties Bob was akin to other ghetto kids and started playing music; it was a getaway from the cruel streets of Trenchtown. This obsession would soon twist into a hobby for Bob. In 1962 he made his first record, "Judge Not". Bob Marley's exposure to American music groups came first in his hometown of Trenchtown. Bob and many of his friends appreciated and welcomed the sounds of American musicians such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and the musical harmonizing of The Impressions. The Drifters, and their lead vocalist Ben E. King, also made a strong impression on Bob; as did some of the tougher sounds at the pop and of R&B, particularly those coming out of Berry Gordy's studio in Detroit. It was also in Trenchtown that young Bob was exposed to bebop and modern jazz for the first time. In Marley's younger years he first began to take part in the evening music sessions held by Joe Higgs in his Third Street yard. Higgs was one of the area's most famous residents, having been one of Jamaica's first popular recording artists. The musical seminars Higgs conducted often were rigorous affairs; emphasis would be placed on breath control and melody, and in addition to guitar lessons, he instructed Bob in the art of writing lyrics that could carry clear ideas to people. Higgs took particular care to play the part of both musical and moral tutor to Marley and many other children in the area. It was in Higgs' yard, on one of these occasions, that Bob had his first encounter with that natural resource with which he was to become associated in the public mind, and which allowed him to empathize with jazz. Numerous singles emerged from these sessions, and the songs were packaged by Higgs into Two LPs, Soul Rebel and Soul Rebellion. Classic singles emerged from the LPs that set the future course of reggae. The Jamaican Government found bands like Bob Marley and the Wailers offensive. They were referred to as rude boys. Bands like this emerged from the worst ghettos in Kingston. In 1965 living conditions in Western Kingston got progressively worse. In late August of that year an eruption of violence broke out in Trenchtown and many of the surrounding communities. This violence was blamed on the "Ruddies," which included the Wailers. Rude boys were youthful street anarchists who celebrated criminal life and hatred of authority as the only freedom that was left to them under the racist structures of the colonial system. The term "rudie" also referred to bands such as the wailers who expressed ideas that rejected traditional colonial religion and morality. "Rude Boy," recorded in late 1965, established Marley and the Wailers as the ultimate champion of the rude boys. "Rude Boy" was recorded as a fast moving Ska song. In this song Bob showed the prideful restlessness of the rudie. The bridge in this song consists of timeless Jamaican country aphorism. This is a classic song about deprived people lusting after they know the government will not let them have. "Rude boy" was a huge hit with the people of Jamaica. The government found not only this song extremely threatening, but also had fear that the band had too much political influence with the lower class people of Jamaica. "Rude boy" is a perfect example of how Bob's homeland and its political power influenced his musical style and messages he sent through the music he cultivated. Growing up in this environment transformed him into a revolutionary artist, who felt the need and passion to express the unjust he and many others faced as poor youths and adults who were just trying to get by in a country that didn't care for its lower class citizens. As times changed so did Bob's musical sound. Ska faded into "rock steady", ska's distinctive trombones, trumpets, and tenor saxes were blended into the background, the electric bass took on a down-stroking prominence, the guitar asserted itself to punctuate the hiccupping cadence and solo vocals were more frequent. Marley was on target when he linked James Brown with this transition, since R&B was to ska what soul was to rock steady. And when Jimmy Hendrix and Sly Stone arose to add their own style to soul, Bob and the Wailers were prepared to do as much for rock steady. In 1976 Bob agreed to perform at the Smile Jamaica concert. Bob was invited by the government to play; the last thing he wanted to do was play a show sponsored by the government in which he did not support. To some extent Bob had his arm twisted. He was repaying a debt to Tony Spaulding, the Minister of Housing, who had set Bob's family up in their new home in Bull Bay. Marley agreed to perform at the event if there would not be any political overtones. A week after press releases about the concert went out Prime Minister Michael Manley called an election. Marley was co-opted; there was no way that the JLP supporters would not now see this concert as a case of Bob performing for Manley. It was felt in Jamaica that the results of the election could be swayed by an endorsement from Bob. Soon after that Marley began to receive death threats. One night while rehearsing for the concert, Bob was standing in his kitchen when Don Taylor, his manager, came into the room. Bob's manager walked straight into the line of fire of a gunman who had appeared in the doorway, and was firing shots randomly in Bob's direction. Taylor took four shots in the groin; the gunman was firing from one of the lower steps in the doorway leading to the kitchen. A bullet that had missed Taylor ricocheted off the wall, grazed Bob's chest and lodged in to his left arm. Bob's wife Rita was sitting in her car, about to start it when shots were fired at her. Five shots were fired through her rear window. Another through her door, and a final bullet went through the front windshield. Although at least one bullet hit her in the head, the glass appeared to take the impact so that the bullet did not penetrate. Surprisingly, no one was killed in this raid. However, Don Taylor and Bob's friend, Lewis Griffith were critically injured. Rita underwent surgery to remove the bullet lodged in her scalp; Bob's wound was treated and he was released on his own recognizance. Bob was quickly driven up the treacherous roads to a secluded encampment high in the Blue Mountains above Kingston. This senseless act made an even stronger figure in his homeland. Now that Marley was physically stable, the question on his and everyone else's mind was if he would perform at the Smile Jamaica concert. If the gunmen had been trying to stop the music, they would still have accomplished what they set out to do if Bob did not play the next night. Marley decided he had to show the nation's people and the government that he had overcome this tragic event. Bob arrived at the venue to play for an audience of eighty thousand people. Once on stage Bob offered a different tribute to the sea of faces, «When me decided ta do dis yere concert two anna 'alf months ago, me was told dere was no politics. I jus' wanted ta play fe da love of da people.» Unable to play his guitar because of his arm injury, Marley said that he would sing «one song.» He there after played what would end up being a ninety-minute tour de force opening with «War.» By opening with the song «War» Bob took a song that was originally an anthem for non-violent protests against oppression, and used the song to exemplify the violence that was taken on him. A few weeks after the show Bob and the Wailers flew to London, where they took up residence for a short period of time. Marley's presence added the collective energy in a city which artistic life was undergoing a profound shift through the channel of punk. While staying in London Bob had changed his mind; after having heard the Clash for the first time, he saw the importance of the punk movement. He admired their spunky courage and anger in the face of England's social stratification and class-based economic oppression. He also admired the help that the Clash and other punk bands were giving to East and West Indians, who were being haunted in the streets by disciples of the neo-fascist National Front. After the social movements he experienced in London Bob went on to record «Punky Reggae Part», this becoming the definitive celebration of the punk-reggae fusion that was taking place in 1976. In this tiny eleven year period of time Bob proved to be a true rebel, a visionary, an uncompromising victor of human rights. Bob Marley rose from the slums of Trenchtown, Jamaica, to make reggae music and celebrate his own message of rebellion, self-determination, and the power of the individual, a spiritual and political force throughout the world.

About the Author
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2007-01-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

80's Redux by Seb Jarakian
Here's a great playlist of tracks from the 80's that were either redone/remade or original tracks remixed. All of the tracks on here are very recognizable.
The playlist starts with Hyper doing an awesome version of Adam & The Ant's classic, early 80's tune Ant Music. It'a a very upbeat and energetic version, perfect to set things up for a 80's themed party.
I then head off to Laidback's White Horse remixed by Funkstar De Luxe, This track keeps keeps to the original sound but it's perfectly remixed and given the extra "oomph" by Funkstar De Luxe. Funkstar De Luxe did an awesome remix back in 2000 of Bob Marley's Sun Is Shining and it was part of a remix CD he put out called Keep On Movin. Other great remixes on the album Keep On Movin include Tom Jone's She's A Lady, Pull Up To The Bumper by Grace Jones and Ring My Bell by Anita Ward. It's a great album and definitely worth checking out if you are at all into remixes.
Electric Avenue (21's Century Mix) by Eddie Grant is an upbeat electronic dance club stormer. It has thee full on beats for the best house party/club nights out. It's several years old as a remix but still sounds fresh today.
Duran Duran's Girl's On Film remixed by Salt Tank keeps to the original track but has been updated with the current beats and sounds. It still has the feel of the original song but has the feel of an extended re-edit. It's definitely fun for the 80's music lover.
I found the next track off a free cd that I received from a magazine back in the late 90's. It's a remake of Gary Numan's Cars by Dave Clark. It's still sounds like the original tune but extended and the vocals are by I'm assuming Dave Clark the techno artist/DJ.
The next track on the playlist is Something To Do (Black Strobe Remix) by Depeche Mode. Of course everyone knows Depeche Mode and alot of you know who Black Strobe are. A great French duo who did an awesome track called Me And Madonna a couple of years back. A dirty, sleazy sounding gem that's great to listen to over and over. Anyway this remix is off the Enjoy The Silence remix single from 2004. The track has been given the modern stripped down electronic club sound and the track still hangs onto the original melody of the track. It's definitely great to listen and dance to. Of course Dave Gahan's vocals are great too!
Everyone knows the next track as it's very popular and has been licensed to many compilations and featurned in countless films. It's Soft Cell's Tainted Love remixed by Soulchild. This version comes from Soft Cell's greatest hits cd from 2003 and I assume this version that's on the CD is an edit clocking in at just under four minutes but still sounds awesome. The remix basically has made the track much more upbeat and energetic. I think it's definitely perfection!
Ok this next track is basically a mash-up. It's taking I Begin To Wonder by Danni Minogue and mashing it with You Spin Me Round Round by Dead Or Alive called Begin To Spin Me Round. It's a marvelous remix and a great job whoever did the work in creating this work of art. The original Dannii Minogue song is ok but this makes the song sound like the 80's all over again thanks to Dead Or Alive's great beats!
I love Buffalo Gals by Malcolm Mclaren and this updated remix by Roger Sanchez is also great. It's upbeat and fun to dance to. I wish alot more of Malcolm Mclaren's music would get remixed. Like one of my all time favorite tracks of his is Deep In Vogue from 1989.
Everyone knows Blue Monday by New Order and Hardfloor did an amazing perfect remix of that track back in 1995 so I decided to include that remix up next. It's a big beat techno floor filler and the remix still sounds awesome after 10 years just like the original sounds great today.
Culture Club's Do You Really Want To Hurt Me (TMS-PMS Mix) is another fresh sounding update/remix of the classic 80's track. It sort of has an electro 80's sound as a remix. Fun to dance too!
Rapture (Guru's Fly Party Remix) by Blondie has been given the sped up hip-hop sound. It's fresh sounding and perfect to dance to. Although the remix 12 years old it's still sounds great and it includes a new rap which complements the remix and Blondie's singing.
Up next is one of my favorite remakes, an updated remake of Crockett's Theme by FPU. It's quite pleasant to listen to and has that added moody element. It's definitely hundred times better than the original. Hate to say that to fans of Jan Hammer but this is perfection!
This remix of Erasure's Who Needs Love Like That was done in the early 90's, I believe 1991 to coincide with their Pop! Greatest Hits CD. It's a good update but still sounds like the 80's. I guess alot has happened in the world of electronic music and remixing and things just sound better nowadays versus how remixes sounded in the early 90's. It's still a fun track.
The Jason Nevin's remix of Run DMC's It's Like That is a great update/remix. It keeps to the original sound but again giving that extra added "oomph". Nice and upbeat and a little sped up for the dancefloor!
I end the playlist with a cheesy (I can say that because it is) remake of Bryan Adams's Heaven by DJ Sammy. It's an overplayed pop/dance track and it's fun too.
Ant Music by HyperWhite Horse (Vs. Laid Back) by Funkstar De LuxeElectric Avenue (21st Century Mix) by Eddy GrantGirls On Film (Salt Tank Mix) by Duran DuranCars by Dave ClarkSomething To Do (Black Strobe Remix) by Depeche ModeTainted Love (Soulchild Remix) by Soft CellBegin to Spin Me Round (Extended Verison) by Dannii MinogueBuffalo Gals Stampede (B-Gals Stampede Radio Mix) by Malcolm McLaren & The World Famous Supreme TeamBlue Monday (Hardfloor Mix) by New OrderDo You Really Want 2 Hurt Me (TMS~PMS Mix) by Culture ClubRapture (Guru's Fly Party Mix) by BlondieWho Needs Love Like That (Hamburg Mix) by ErasureIt's Like That by Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason NevinsHeaven by DJ Sammy & Yanou Feat. Do
About the Author
Seb Jarakian is the owner of Musync http://www.musync.com a music research and licensing company based in San Francisco California. Seb's client list includes: Google, Microsoft XBOX, Esurance, Clorox, VISA and Adidas. Seb also owns and updates Best Playlists http://www.BestPlaylists.com and Beatzblog http://www.Beatzblog.com - Two blogs about electronic music and Apple's iTunes/iPod technologies.

2007-01-14T20:15:00.000-08:00

Ben Harper - A Rising Legend In Music Grows by Jay Nault
Of all the new rising sensations in the music world, perhaps none embody the true eclectic and multi-faceted influences more than Ben Harper. Harper is known for his crowd-embracing live performance style, and he's hitting the stage again in 2006. Below you'll find a look at Harper's life, musical development and career highlights that you should consider when deciding whether or not to catch his high-quality act.
Early Life
Ben Harper was born in Claremont, California on October 28, 1969. Although Harper was born to musician parents with limited means, he enjoyed a relatively "normal" childhood, and as early as he can remember, he was in love with music. His obsession was with two figures in particular: Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. Harper had a melodic ear even when he was a child, and he was mesmerized by the pure blend of sound each of the two artists created.
In regards to his overall perspective on life, growing up poor in the Inland Empire of Southern California created a person in Harper who was and is extremely sensitive to several social issues and the struggle of the "second-class" citizens of the world.
This environment contributed to Harper beginning to play the guitar by the time he was six. His specialty, then and now, is the bottleneck guitar. This love was further developed by Harper's childhood job at his grandparents' music store, the Folk Music Center.
After several years of balancing music and work at the "family" business, Harper realized by the time he was a teenager that he needed to dedicate himself to his music if he was ever to make it as a performer. He began like many others - playing in local coffee houses and slowly building a small but loyal following.
Career Path
Harper's parents were supportive of his musical ambitions even though he never did well in school. As a result, he landed his first big-time gig at the age of 16 at a blues show in Fontana, California. Harper did continue to go to school until he had completed one year in college, but after his first big performance, he began to build a larger following in the Southern California blues scene.
In 1992, Harper joined the blues band Taj Mahal and embarked on several tours. In 1994, Harper was "discovered" by Virgin Records and cut his solo first album, entitled Welcome to the Cruel World. The album did well, reaching gold or platinum levels in France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.
Harper's second album, Fight For Your Mind, was released the following year, and it featured further development of Harper's combination of socially-relevant lyrics and ballad-driven melodies. Harper was becoming known as a blues musician, but his style was actually much too eclectic to be molded into one genre.
Harper's style continued to become more diversified in his following two releases, The Will to Live in 1995 and Burn to Shine in 1997. These two albums were not mega-hits, but they definitely helped Harper find his niche as a true "musician."
Following these releases, Harper began to collaborate with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Jack Johnson, Metallica, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Marilyn Manson. Working within this enormous spectrum of styles, critics and fans still haven't been able to pin down Harper's style, other than the fact that he is truly talented and could wind up defining his own genre over the years.
If you have not yet had a chance to see Harper live, you should take the opportunity to do so before demand moves his shows from smaller venues to enormous stadiums.
About the Author
By Jay Nault sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com/ . StubHub sells sports tickets, concert tickets: http://www.stubhub.com/ theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. Please link to this site when using article.

2007-01-11T05:47:00.000-08:00

Multiple Ways Of Utilizing Jogging Music
by Glen B. Porter

Jogging is a popular and healthy activity which combines exercise and fitness with a visual feast of our route. Jogging in parks and scenic areas allows us a mini-vacation, with park ponds, chirping birds, quail families or a beautiful seaside vista, a respite for the mind.
If you're not so lucky and your regular route takes you past the gas station and local middle school, ending back at your apartment in Brooklyn, you might want a different tact to keep yourself going with your jogging program. An excellent solution? Jogging music. Many people listen to music while they jog, to provide mood and interest to keep them keepin' on. Jogging music can be powerful sensory stimulation.
You'll certainly want to consider your equipment. A CD player won't do. The CD will skip with each step! Better choices include an MP3 player or portable cassette player. You'll also need secure headphones. Headphone clips are commercially available just for the purpose. These simply clip to your hair. Music is a wonderful thing. Everyone has their favorites, but when you're looking for jogging music selections, consider more the mood you'd like to enhance to get the most enjoyment from your run.
If you're feeling rushed, maybe a little classical music will calm you and take you to a romantic place, away from the noise, crowds, everyday worries and stress. Nights in the Gardens of Spain comes to mind. Ah! Handel's Messiah might be just the thing on a brisk winters' day. Maybe you're trying to break your own record and want to push hard today. The theme from Chariots of Fire should keep you competitive.
For some of us of a certain age, the 1960's and 1970's rocked! This genre of jogging music includes Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater and the Allman Brothers. Good any day of the year. The Beatles, the Stones, the Doors, Pink Floyd, ELO, Patti Smith, Frampton and Rod Stewart are all guaranteed to keep you moving.
Lyrical favorites can promote creative visions or simply a reflective mood. Try some Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, B.B. King, Albert King, Bob Marley, B.I.G., Inner Journey, Louis James Corrigen, Shareffa, Rhianna, Dominico, Fat Joe or Black Uhru.
Is today gray and rainy? Do you just need to get the adrenaline going? Some gym-trainer heavy-beat music can get your blood moving. Pop music artists can be your best friend for this situation. Some Madonna, BT (with a song like "Superfabulous" you'll want to run all day long!), Olivia Newton John, Fergie, Black Eyed Peas, Nine Inch Nails, Randall Brambrett, Soundgarden, Phil Brown, Peter Luts, Blue Man Group or the Chemical Brothers are worthy of investigation.
You can see, with jogging music choices, it all depends on what kind of experience you're looking for today. Basically, it comes down to whatever floats your boat. Music and jogging really go hand in hand. You can create whatever world you desire, if only for the length of your run.
About the Author
HobbiesAndGamers provides readers with the latest news on recreational activities & other entertainment issues.

2007-01-10T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Gen X Shuffle
by Amy Wink Krebs

I've downloaded my self-proclaimed "eclectic" CD collection onto the computer's media player; now I have a mystery DJ in the room who tirelessly spins everything from Paul Simon to Phish on a continuous, random play mode.
Usually this is a good thing.
Right now, however, I'm being treated to a live version of Sussudio by Phil Collins -- and I have to ask myself what kind of crack I was smoking when I added this shit to my play list. I'm tempted to skip ahead to the next song, but I tell myself I'm going to see Phil's puffed-air version of the lame 80s tune to its painfully overdue conclusion. Alas; I can't take it anymore, and fast forward almost all the way to the end. There may be more crack-induced crap to come, but I'll take my chances.
Don't get me wrong - I adore most 80s music and find it appealingly nostalgic. After all, the 80s ushered me from girl to woman -- age ten to twenty -- becoming a soundtrack recording for growing up Gen X.
Boy George really did it for me, I'll admit, and Ah-ha's Take on me was the coolest video anyone had ever seen. But I never did like Phil Collins (I was more of a Peter Gabriel girl), and so I look forward to the next song with ever-increasing impatience. I'll delete it later, I think, wondering how I ever came to own Sussudio in the first place.
Next I hear the opening violins of Selling Out by the Brooklyn Funk Essentials, and it feels like coming in from the cold. Yummy-warm funk meets frenetic sitar, slides into trip-hop, and dances with reggae... all in the groove and just oooooozing cool. I heard this stuff at a friend's house and immediately asked for the name of the album, which I wrote on my hand so I could run home and buy it online right away. I never tire of the Brooklyn Funk Essentials' innovative sound, which sounds even better if you're listening at, say, 4:20.
As if reading my mind, the computer next decides to send some Bob Marley this way, specifically Stir It Up. Now that's what I call easy listening. Easy like a soft chair and a smile. I'm always up for a Bob Marley tune...probably not fifteen Marley tunes in a row, but then that's why I use random play.
It's fun to take note of the strange mix of songs that would never, ever be played back-to-back on any real radio station, anywhere, at any time. Only in my house does The Beastie Boys' No Sleep Till Brooklyn segue peculiarly into Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here.
I admittedly read too much into the media player's "random" song order. One time, I wrote song titles on a paper as they played, later attempting to divine some sort of fortune from the resulting message, doubtless sent by aliens or God. Because the Talking Heads' And She Was played just before Eminem's Without Me, I assumed my recently deceased friend Gina was dropping by to say hello. When David Byrne's The Accident preceded Sublime's Wrong Way, I knew better than to get behind the wheel of a car...at least until I heard Roger Miller's reassuring King of the Road or Cake's rousing Race Car Ya-Yas. You can't be too careful when interpreting the nonexistent significance of haphazard song play.
I suppose I'd better quit identifying all my songs before it becomes blatantly obvious that my music tastes, albeit diverse, are rapidly approaching "geezer" status. My 18-year-old cousin has categorized most of my CDs as "wuss rock" - a term for which I can certainly glean the meaning, but have never heard before and definitely hesitate to embrace.
I prefer to pretend it's 1991, and the cousin in question is just 6 years old, all wide-eyed at my college-age, too-cool, flannel-clad rebellion. Let me tell you, sonny-boy, those were the days. Now please excuse me while the Pixies scream Debaser and I relive them once again.
About the Author
Amy Wink Krebs is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.She lives in upstate New York with one husband, one son, one cat, and one fish.

2007-01-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

Katrina: The Big One
by John F. Burnett

John F. Burnett is the author of "Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions."
Storm refugees, nearly all of them black, are on the move throughout the city. And they are refugees, as in, people fleeing misfortune and seeking refuge. NPR and other news organizations caved to pressure from critics who did not like the word. We substituted "evacuees." Some listeners thought "refugee" carried a pejorative foreign connotation, something that happens in Sudan or Somalia but never the United States. That's precisely why I preferred the term. I hoped it would shock people into realizing that an American city had sunk to Third World conditions.
Hawke and I hop out of the truck to interview a ragged string of refugees walking up Howard on the way to the Superdome, trailed by an obese woman in stretch shorts. "I got a bad heart. I ain't got no business travelin' like this," she says.
A woman with matted hair in a Tweety Bird T-shirt says, "We slept all night on the bridge. They say go across the river and the buses will pick us up. Now they're turnin' us all around. We need somebody who knows what's goin' on!"
I ask more questions, but they want answers. Where to get a meal? Where to find a bus?
"Tell the truth," a young man in a Bob Marley T-shirt asks in exasperation. "Y'all care about us?"
"Of course we do," Hawke replies.
"Well, help us," he says sharply. "They got people layin' up there on the bridge dyin' . . . I know y'all want our story, but we need help!"
We don't know where they should go, either. And we're worried that if we hand out the little food and water we have in the truck, we'll cause a scene. Still, he makes a powerful point: We need a story; he needs a rescue.
A couple of weeks later, a listener will e-mail NPR and ask, "What about the demands of suffering humanity? Do you ever feel that journalism is an inadequate response to the tragedies you report on?" Other listeners suggest we should have turned our sat phone over to the cops after they lost communication.
The role of journalist as detached chronicler or part-time rescuer will be discussed intensely after Katrina. Purists argue that journalists should never participate in a story -- period. We bear witness to history; we don't step into it. But it's not that simple. We don't leave our humanity at home when we cover a disaster. Anytime I, as a journalist, record a person in misery and then walk away, I feel like the photographer who queasily described his role, saying, "We came to take our trophies and left." There's something unbecoming about that behavior, particularly if we can offer a small kindness without neglecting our job.
Later in the week, Hawke and I hand out water and snacks to individual refugees we encounter, and the NPR crew gives four desperate Canadian tourists a ride to Baton Rouge. I heard of other journalists using their news boats to rescue people. I believe you do what you can, but you never let go of the story. And on this story, in particular, journalists will perform a service by being on the ground and in the water to show the world and our own government the terrible conditions in New Orleans.
The unrelenting sun turns the morning into a sauna. I crank up the Ford's A/C and think sadly about the people stuck in the sweltering Superdome or sitting on their rooftops. This is the same heat wave that warmed the gulf and created the monster hurricane. Our world is heating up. There could well be more Katrinas in future summers. But at the moment, they've got to fix this one.
In the Rose Garden, President Bush ticks off all the federal aid bound for New Orleans: 400 trucks transporting 5.4 million meals, 13.4 million liters of water, 10,400 tarps, 3.4 million pounds of ice, 144 generators, 135,000 blankets. It probably sounds reassuring to people everywhere but here, where they know the truth. The relief effort -- if there is one -- has fallen into chaos. No one is in charge. Storm survivors are adrift in the gulf of New Orleans. The city needs every thing -- food, water, buses, boats, doctors, soldiers, ice, and body bags. And what does Governor Blanco do? She calls for a statewide Day of Prayer.
I zigzag through fallen limbs along St. Charles Avenue, famed for its Mardi Gras parades and formerly shady oaks. When I spot more refugees wading up the street, I pull onto the streetcar tracks and kill the engine. We climb out and introduce ourselves to Latoya Solomon, a 24-year-old hotel employee who's walking with 12 members of her family, from a tot happily splashing along the pavement to a grim old woman in an orange life vest. As soon as my first question is out, Solomon starts to rant. "The water's off, the light's off, everything's flooded, everything's soakin' wet, we can't eat, we can't cook, stores ain't open. We thirsty. What? What? I don't see nobody tryin' to help us. Everybody just walkin' around lookin' lonesome. This ain't gonna work," she says. I wish I could put her on live with the president.
Reprinted from: Uncivilized Beasts and Shameless Hellions: Travels with an NPR Correspondent by John F Burnett © 2006 John F Burnett. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling at (800) 848-4735. www.rodale.com
About the Author
John F. Burnett has been in the midst of the biggest news stories of our age, and 2005 marked his 20th year reporting for National Public Radio. He is the recipient of a 2004 Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting and a 2003 National Headliner Award for Investigative Reporting. He lives in Austin, Texas.

2006-12-20T04:23:00.000-08:00

Hair Dreadlock Secrets Uncovered
by Katie Monroe

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About the Author
Katie is the author of many comprehensive articles on health beauty fitness. Be sure to check out her health beauty fitness website http://www.healthbeautyfitnessonline.com for more information on health, beauty and fitness related information and freebies.

2006-12-18T19:57:00.000-08:00

Eric Clapton - "Slowhand" Returns To The Stage In 2006
by Jay Nault

Eric Clapton, thought by many to be the preeminent guitar authority in the world, is returning to the stage in the summer of 2006. His story is one that relates directly to the decades of timeless music he has produced, and Clapton is revered by fans of several generations. His life is one of struggle and sadness, and his music is seen by many of his fans as his personal triumph over his circumstances.
Early Life
Clapton was born in 1945 in England, although he didn't really know who his parents were until later in childhood. His father was a Canadian service man who went back to Canada after World War II, and his natural mother left soon thereafter to join him. Eric was left to be raised by his grandparents, who he thought were his real parents until he was nine years old. Clapton knew his real mother as his sister, as his grandparents wanted to shield him from the stigma that came with being an "illegitimate" child.
Clapton was first inspired by music as a young teenager when he watched Jerry Lee Lewis perform on television, and his life-long love of the blues was born that day. He attended school with the intent on becoming a stained glass designer was derailed when he was expelled at 17 for playing his guitar in class. Despite what was seen as a setback at the time, the incident propelled Clapton into music full time.
Early Career
Clapton proceeded to work a series of low-end jobs while continuing to learn and play the blues with his guitar. In 1963, he joined a band called the Yardbirds, which just happened to boast of three enormously popular guitarists - Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. The band was an instant smash hit, and they were known for their bluesy style and riveting guitar melodies. However, Clapton became disillusioned with the band's progression towards mainstream rock and roll, and left the band in 1965.
Clapton spent the next year making the band the Bluesbreakers extremely popular, but in 1966, he decided to form his own band, naming it Cream.
Reaching Potential
Cream was one of the most recognizable and loved bands in the world, and every one of their albums was a huge hit. Cream was mentioned in the same breath as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, and the trio recorded three albums before deciding to put together a farewell cut entitled Goodbye in 1969. There were many reasons for the band's break up, but drug abuse and clashing egos were seen as the primary reasons.
Later that year, Clapton became a member of rock's first "super group" when he teamed with Steve Winwood, Ric Grech and Ginger Baker. Although the band released only one album which was named after the band, Blind Faith climbed to number one on the North American Billboard album charts, and the work is still selling well to this day.
Going Solo
After all of his experience in highly successful bands, Clapton decided to strike out on his own, and this would prove to be an extremely wise decision. However, Clapton first had to get past his drug addiction, which was no small task. Once he had, however, he got right back into what he loved most, and released an album entitled 461 Ocean Boulevard in 1974. The album included a cover of Bob Marley's I Shot the Sheriff, which not only experienced chart success, but brought exposure to the world of reggae that was seen as "the" boost to the genre in general.
In the past 30 years, Clapton has released 15 studio albums which have contained songs that are considered by many to be anthems more than singles, including such mega-hits as "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," "Lay Down Sally," "Cocaine" and "Wonderful Tonight."
Bringing It All Together
The result of Clapton's work goes beyond millions of records sold and tens of millions of loyal fans. He is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, has won several Grammy Awards and is known for his guitar skill in every country in the world. He has never lost his love for the blues, and continues to thrill crowds with his heart-felt renditions of his and other songs that were written over the decades, and everyone who has a chance to see him live considers it a privilege and an honor.
About the Author
Written by Jay Nault sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com/. StubHub sells sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world. Please link to this site when using this article.

2006-12-13T20:55:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Carol - The Man and His Book
by David Fitzgerald

Charles Dickens's book "A Christmas Carol" is probably the most famous of all Christmas stories. In the preface he wrote:"I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay itTheir faithful Friend and Servant, C.D. December 1843."Charles Dickens - The ManCharles Dickens (1812-1870) is considered to be one of the greatest English novelists of the Victorian period. Dickens's works are characterized by attacks on social evils, injustice, and hypocrisy.Charles John Huffam Dickens, the second of seven children of John and Elizabeth Dickens, was born in Landport on 7th February 1812. His father worked as a clerk at the Navy pay office in Portsmouth. In 1814 Dickens moved to London, and then to Chatham in 1817, for Dickens, the happiest years of his childhood (1817-22) were spent in Chatham, a bustling port on England's southeast coast, where he received some education.John Dickens had difficulty making ends meet as his family grew. At ten Charles's family moved to Camden Town in London. John Dickens' debts had become so severe that all the household goods were sold. Still unable to satisfy his creditors, John Dickens was arrested and sent to Marshalsea Prison. Charles, now twelve, was sent to work at Warren's Blacking Factory, where he was paid six shillings (shilling is equal to 1/20th of a pound) a week wrapping shoeblack bottles to help support his family. Six months after being sent to Marshalsea, one of John Dickens's relatives died. He was left enough money in the will to pay off his debts and to leave prison. Charles was allowed to quite the job, against his mother's better judgment. This became a sore spot for Charles, that he remembers the rest of his life. Some of the inheritance was used to educate Charles at a nearby private school, Wellington House Academy. His schooling was again interrupted and ultimately ended when Dickens was forced to return to work at age 15. He found work as a clerk at the firm of Ellis & Blackmore, Charles disliked the work but he did enjoy walking the streets in the evening observing the people of London. He then became a shorthand reporter in the courts, and finally a parliamentary and newspaper reporter. Looking back on his own childhood, Dickens saw himself as "a very small and not over-particularly-taken-care-of boy." For as I had spoken before, Dickens's childhood was a mixture of both fond and unhappy memories. His childhood poverty and feelings of abandonment, although unknown to his readers until after his death, would be a heavy influence on Dickens' later views on social reform and the world he would create through his fiction. But even though Dickens family was both large and almost always hard-pressed, Charles Dickens grew into a young man who, through the sheer fertility of his creative genius and an astonishing amount of hard work, transformed himself into the most famous writer of his age.In the midst of his labors over Martin Chuzzlewit, Dickens found time to write the little tale that is unquestionably his most beloved work, "A Christmas Carol". Published on December 17, 1843, this tender fable of spiritual renewal received a rapturous welcome from the public. Readers were moved to tears by the story of the delightfully despicable Scrooge, a heartless old miser who undergoes a miraculous rebirth precisely at Christmas, the only time "in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open up their hearts freely."A Christmas Carol - The Book Millions of readers for over the past hundred and sixty years have enjoyed "A Christmas Carol". The penny pinching, miser Ebenezer Scrooge has become synonymous with a tight wad. Even today a person who hoards his or her money is nicknamed a "Scrooge". Dickens' character was a man whose cold personality equal only to the winters of London, and the comforts or fortunes of other was unimportant to him. Locking up his office on Christmas Eve, Scrooge heads for his rooms, which once belonged to Jacob Marley, his partner, who died seven years ago. Arriving at his door, the doorknocker is suddenly, transformed into his dead partner's face, staring at him. The vision passes, and Scrooge bolts the door from the inside. Sitting down in front of the dying embers on the hearth, Ebenezer Scrooge is subjected to the second phenomena, the ringing of all the bells in the house. Someone or something is trying to get in touch with his frozen soul. It turns out it is Jacob Marley who has been tying to contact him. Marley's ghost dragging his chains explain his present condition to the Scrooge; since he himself lived on the same basic principle as does Scrooge, explains what the afterlife is like for one who has never done a good deed to his fellow man. There is one way out of this misery for Scrooge says Marley, and that is to mend one's ways and cleanse one's conscience. To amplify the message, his old partner explains to Scrooge that three spirits will visit shortly after midnight. Having delivered his message and his warning, Marley goes away, dragging his chains behind him. Strangely, Scrooge manages to fall asleep, but is awakened when the clock strikes midnight. Soon after the Ghost of Christmas Past, an apparition with a child's face visits him long, white hair, and a full-grown body. It makes Scrooge an offer he can't refuse: to go on a sentimental journey to his own past.Riding through time and space effortlessly, they arrive in time to see the small boy Ebenezer, a lonesome child with books for his only friends. Lost love, lost comradeship, and lost chances for happiness are shown in rapid succession, and then the exhausted Scrooge is dropped off at home, where he dozes off. Next follows the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Ebenezer the merrymaking of ordinary people. They spy on Bob Cratchit, who makes the most of his meager resources in the bosom of his little family, carrying his son Tim, who is weak of health, and lighting the meager meal with his inner warmth and generosity, demonstrated when he proposes a toast to his mean employer, though not appreciated by his wife. The last ghost, Christmas of the Future, arrives, to show him the emptiness of a non-spiritual life. A peek into the future shows thieves plundering his belongings. He even gets a glimpse of himself, lying dead, and retreats in horror. The final blow is dealt to his now weakened soul when he learns that Tim Cratchit has died. The vision of himself dead, his own neglected grave, all this prompts Ebenezer to beg for mercy. Waking as from a nightmare, he finds that only one night has pasted and it is now Christmas morning, Scrooge thanks Jacob Marley's ghost for this second chance, and he really changes. He gets a huge turkey for the Cratchit family, makes large contributions to the poor, and turns up at his nephew's a changed man, filled with the merry spirit of Christmas. The spirits of Christmas had served their purpose, and Jacob Marley had done his good deed. For the rest of his life, Ebenezer Scrooge was a good generous man, living the spirit of Christmas.Chick here for more books by Charles Dickens

Copyright © 2004 by David Fitzgerald Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your website or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.
About the Author
David Fitzgerald is contributing writer to several sites and newsletters. Visit http://www.delvebookstore.com/for other great books and books on subjects in the areas of your interest. dfitzgerald@delvebookstore.com

2006-12-13T20:52:00.000-08:00

Bob Marley Remembrance in Meskal Square
by Chris Meehan

Last Sunday saw the 60th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Bob Marley. Appropriately, thousands of Rastafarians, bedecked in red, gold and green, gathered in Meskal square, Addis Abbaba in Ethiopia, to salute their spiritual fellow traveller and great inspiration. They formed part of a vast crowd that had assembled to commemorate the life and philosophy of the towering figure that was Bob Marley, who died of cancer, aged 36, in 1981. A musical tribute, in the form of a free concert, was paid by the likes of Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal and Angelique Kidjo. There's no question that Marley's music captured the world's imagination and was instrumental in establishing reggae as the pre-eminent world-music from the 1970s to the late 80s. He came to global prominence with his group The Wailers - who initially formed in 1963, securing quick credibility in Jamaica with a number of hits, produced under the guidance of Coxone Dodd. International recognition was slower in coming - Marley even had a spell working on a car assembly line in the USA in 1969 - and only materialised once a deal with Island Records had been signed and the collaboration with producer Lee Perry established the sound that came to define Bob Marley and the Wailers to millions of fans around the planet. With the backing vocals of the I-Threes (including Bob's wife Rita) and a new line-up in 1974, the Marley bandwagon began to roll in earnest. 1977 and 78 marked the release of 2 seminal albums: Exodus and Kaya - which ,in addition to the critical acclaim they received, were massively successful in commercial terms, too. Island Records calculated that, in 1981, the extent of Marley's global sales stood at £100 million.Record sales have continued apace since his death. In fact, the 1984 compilation: Legend has consistently topped album charts around the world. There's a compelling view amongst critics that this appeal is based on the unshakable loyalty of his fan base rather than a significant growth in younger generation converts to Marley's brand of reggae - which is now seen, very much, as 'old school' and the less vibrant and engaging upcountry cousin to the much sharper modern dancehall music - whose influences are drawn from hip-hop, funk and R&B and melded into a powerful, street, hard-hitting, in-yer-boat, urban fusion.Personally, I happen to think that the music does stand the test of time. Some of the landmarks in the Marley catalogue are: • Catch a Fire, featuring Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, and released in 1972. It was the first reggae album to be distributed internationally. • Burnin', 1973, containing the gems that are: 'I Shot the Sheriff' and 'Get Up Stand Up'. • Rastaman Vibration, 1976. It stormed into the US charts and articulated many of Marley's core beliefs - take 'War', for example, with the lyrics coming from one of Haile Selassie's speeches. • Survival, 1979, with it's pan-African message of solidarity - promoted by such songs as: 'Africa Unite' and 'Zimbabwe'.
About the Author
Chris Meehan is the features editor at www.Just-Jammin.com. As well as a freelance writer on many subjects

2006-12-12T17:29:00.000-08:00

A Review of Bob Marley Legend
by Morgan Hamilton

For people of the different ages the Bob Marley legend has different meaning, and they vary from peaceful love to melancholia. Some people connect him with superior reggae - inspiring music with meaningful lyrics, others think of him as a part of their own search for self, and still others connect him mostly with deep and true love. The legend of Bob Marley still lives with those who remember him, and remember how it started with him and was only because of him.
The legend has his name because Bob Marley was the one who actually made it in the conformist society of those days by first getting there, finding his place to fit into that specific social environment, playing by their rules, wearing their clothes and hairstyles. Afterwards he managed to grow and evolve both in a spiritual and a physical aspect keeping in mind all the dreads, but following his own ways in philosophy as well as in religion and in the general attitude as well as in the very words.
It is Bob Marley legend because he managed to bring reggae music to the non-African and non-Jamaican population of the world and made them love it as it was their own inborn spiritual legacy. He showed people the everlasting backbeat that goes along with the wailing soft words like "No Woman, No Cry" and "Is This Love...?"
Being qualified as the all-time finest reggae leader, Bob Marley is the person who made Rastafari be accepted and respected as a righteous life-principle and a real movement. And he managed to reach that goal with the help of "Rastaman Vibration " that he instilled into the quiet spiritual sound of "Haile Salassie" and curving up the rough sounds of rock. He managed to show people a different way to reach God.
Finally we can say Bob Marley legend because no matter where we were, what we were doing, what we were trying to get, or to escape from, he was always there, always ready to help and support us with his music and his words spreading his great spirit all over telling us that what we really need is just love, respect, unity and spirituality. Bob Marley helped all of us to" stir it up", to "put it on" and to "rock it baby", there was also encouragement in his words with "pass it on" with "stand alone" and with "keep on moving". All he did actually tell us through his music was that we should try living our lives according to our and to God's rules. He taught us to know what our rights are and to never quit until we get them granted and then use them properly.
About the Author
Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of music. You can get interesting and informative information here at Bob Marley Legend

2006-12-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Wall, Senator Clinton and Bob Marley
by eileen fleming

On November 15, 2005, Senator Clinton stood on the Jerusalem side of The Wall and was quoted in Ha'aretz, expressing support for The Wall because it "is against terrorists" and "not against the Palestinian people."
Senator Clinton did NOT visit the Little Town of Bethlehem in Occupied Territory, to see what The Wall has done to the Bethlehem economy. But I have.
On New Years Eve Day 2005, I visited a family who had just rebuilt their home in Dasheish, one of three fifty-eight year old refugee camps in Bethlehem.
The Habib [not real name] family had rebuilt on the very same spot after the Israeli Defense Force/IDF blew their former home up without reason and without any compensation. The usual reason given for home demolitions is for the building of The Wall, but the Habib residence is deep within the Dasheish refugee camp, and The Wall is at least three miles away. Mr. Habib told me that in 2004, the IDF banged on his door and informed the family that their home would be demolished within fifteen minutes. The family all got safely out but their home was but a memory a few moments later.
"No one in our family had ever been in any trouble with the Israeli government before and no family member had ever been arrested. They picked us to be an example of the power and control that Israel has to deny basic and inalienable human rights," Mr. Habib told me without any bitterness.
What impresses me most every time I go to Palestine, is that every Palestinian I speak with all have the most forgiving spirits and unflappable patience. I thought of Senator Clinton's inaccurate and insensitive remarks about The Wall not being against the Palestinian people, and wondered what she would say about Palestinian homes being destroyed without any reason at all.
An Uncle down the stairs from the Habib's also had his home blown away on the same day. Relatives took them all in, for the poor in Palestine take care of the poor and don't look to the government to do what people of good will, will do automatically: care for the widow, the orphan, the ill and the prisoner.
When ever I need a taxi while in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, I call Sam. He can comfortably transport eight and has an excellent sound system. Sam is an Orthodox Christian in the Syrian Church and has a gorgeous wife and two beautiful kids. Sam has VIP papers which enable him to chauffeur the Patriarchs around town without as much hassle as a regular Palestinian would have to endure at the checkpoints.
Sam, his wife and I rode to the Ben Gurion Airport, three hours prior to my 1 AM flight home on January 5, 2005. We talked a little but mostly we listened to the music of Bob Marley. When we arrived at the checkpoint at the entrance of the airport, Sam rolled down his window and smiled at the young soldier and said, "Shalom" but it sounded more like "Salaam."
Sam's VIP pass meant nothing to the soldier and we are all ordered to disembark and pull out all the luggage. My passport was demanded without a smile and Sam was led into the interrogation room while his wife and I stay out in the cold trying to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Another soldier examines and probes the van as he thoroughly looks for b-o-m-b-s. The paranoia I see in many Israeli's has got to be, some kind of holocaust hangover blinding them to the fact that the oppressed have now become the oppressors.
After Sam's van is thoroughly examined for b-o-m-b-s, I received my passport back marked with a red sticker upon it. Back in Sam's van his wife expertly removed the sticker and all the glue from my passport. The sticker brands one as having come through occupied territory. Sam informs me that my third degree would be airport securities territory and that was why the soldier never asked me any questions.
Sam smiled wryly as he told me, "This is what the Nazi's did to the Jews before the Holocaust when they made them wear the Star of David. They marked them as the enemy. Now anyone who knows Palestinians or visits occupied territory gets a sticker on their passport to label them as friends of the enemy."
Bob Marley and the Wailers erupt through the speakers: Get up, stand up Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up Don't give up the fight.
My luggage had been filled with Arabic nonviolent literature but Sam cautioned me to leave it all with him to avoid the extra hassle it could cause me during the routine questioning by airport security.
I left everything with him that I could get on the Internet but kept books, a CD and a DVD. Sam warns me on what I shouldn't say when I undergo my interrogation from the inquisitive employees at the Ben Gurion Airport.
While in Bethlehem I shared with many about my experience of having my computer confiscated by EL AL employees at JFK Airport, during my pre-flight checking in process. Every Palestinian told me "don't worry about it."
But every American I spoke with during my time in Israel and Palestine, freaked out when I told them about El Al confiscating my lap top for over an hour before I boarded the plane at JFK for my second trip to the Holy Land. Every American believed that they had downloaded my files, read my emails and perhaps even injected a Trojan into my soft ware. Those Americans had fallen into fear and paranoia, but Bob Marley and the Wailers is the way I choose to go:
Get up, stand up Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up Don't give up the fight.
I had no fear of any airport security and I was determined I would answer honestly every question and keep smiling. Every employee I encountered smiled back at me and nobody asked me any 'explosive' questions. While three different young women examined and swabbed every item and surface in all my luggage I experienced frisson: the chill in the thrill of the rush you experience in a moment of delight, excitement or fear.
A young lady examiner came upon the book from the Holy Land Trust conference I had attended December 27-30, 2005 entitled: Celebrating Nonviolent Resistance.
The young examiner never looked my way, but she read the cover and scanned all the pages most thoroughly.
I wondered if perhaps a few seeds of thought were left germinating in Tel Aviv that night, but I forgot all about that when I landed in JFK fourteen hours later.
I had crashed for five solid hours out of the eleven hour flight. I awoke to vivid images of The Wall that remain brutally fresh in my mind.
In my minds eye, I still see the concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence that divides, separates, humiliates, dominates, controls and denies inalienable human rights to every Palestinian.
When I landed at JFK Airport, Terminal Two to wait three hours for my connection home, all I could think about was The Wall and all the injustice's I had witnessed during my second of sixteen days in Israel and Palestine. [My first 16 days are documented in my first book, "Keep Hope Alive"]
In January 2005, every local, taxi driver and would be terrorist knew all the many ways around the concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence which had enormous gaps, holes, and other ways to get around checkpoints and avoid The Bethlehem Terminal which divides the sister city of and from Jerusalem.
The Israeli government and Senator Clinton both claim The Wall is all for Security. I know better.
The concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence is a master plan to divide, separate, humiliate, dominate, control and deny inalienable human rights to the indigenous people of the Holy Land.
In Palestine and the Unrecognized Villages there are olive trees that were rooted centuries ago, for olive trees can live for thousands of years, if they are not plowed down. Twenty five olive trees can support a typical family in Gaza, the West Bank and in the Unrecognized Villages, Where every little child knows the names of the ancient olive trees, And they always be, Names of mommys, sisters and favorite aunts and uncles, For the olive trees are a member of their families.
In 1948, 20% of the total population of the Holy Land were Christian. Today they number less than 1.3% and continue to shrink fast.
Palestinian Christian roots go back to the first century when Christ promised: "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: THEY ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD." [Matthew 5:9]
At The Terminal in Bethlehem, upon the thirty foot high Wall, a hundred square foot sign from The Minister of Tourism hangs and proclaims in Orwellian logic: PEACE, PEACE, PEACE.
"Peace, peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace."-Jeremiah 6:14
For twelve days around Christmas 2005, I lived in the Little Town of Bethlehem in occupied territory. For twelve days I walked "through streets that were dead" [Bob Dylan] in the morning, noon and night and everywhere I did go, shops were closed, restaurants empty. A few locals would be around and tour buses would quickly come and go at the Church of The Nativity.
But stores remain closed and restaurants empty because tourists don't want to see, hear or know about occupied territory.
The Terminal is not The Way tourists in buses and taxis go; The Terminal is the way only Palestinians and the curious go, Who want to know what's really going down In the Holy Land: Which is in pieces.
Mr. Presidents, I plead, please tear down the concrete boa constrictor and electrified fence which has been deemed ILLEGAL by the International Court of Justice in the Hague.
Mr. Presidents, please imagine what a wonderful world it would be if you would plant olive trees and build playgrounds and construct bridges of community and global neighborhoods.
The Way to security is knowing ones neighbor, and ones neighbor is ones sister and brother, For everyone is a child of God.
To be blessed with Peace we must resist evil with good and God has already told us what is required: "Act justly, be merciful and walk humbly with your God."-Micah 6:8
"And the best you can do is forgive."-The Traveling Wilburys
About the Author
Eileen is a retired RN, activist, author, poet, reporter and editor of WAWA Blog: http://www.wearewideawake.org She returns to the West Bank in November 2006 and will be reporting on WAWA.

2006-12-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

Love Is My Religion Ziggy Marley
by Karen Fish

Ziggy Marley is a singer songwriter and the son of the father of Reggae Bob Marley. In his blog "love" of Sept. 7, 2006 posted on his website http://www.myspace.com/ziggymarley Ziggy Marley says to his many fans:
"We had a good time out there (touring) from Europe to Israel to the U.S. to Canada. The preliminary mission was a success now we enter into the second phase. It's not about seling records it's about opening minds and shining the light the truth is within us. We just have to open our minds to realize it. It's like I found or rediscovered this great new food and it taste so good and makes me feel so good. I want all my friends to try it. So I hope everyone is in a positive mood whatever that may be for you, and thanks for the love. I apprecilove it. Talk to ya soon. Love, Ziggy"
Here is a comment posted on Ziggy Marley's blog "love", which is a letter from Karen Fish of The Temple of Love Religion to Ziggy Marley posted today Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 9:11 AM:
"Hi Ziggy, Here are some synchronicities between your song lyrics from your song "Love is my Religion" and The Temple of Love Religion. http://www.thetempleoflove.com/ In your song the lyrics are "Lets go fly a kite". 4 children flying a kite is the logo of the Temple of Love. "I don't want to fight." The Temple of Love is also called The World Peace Religion. "I'll take you to the Temple tonight." "Bring all the lovers to the fold." This is the message at the bottom of page 4 of the Temple of Love website. The kite is also a barn, a Temple. We bring all the 10vers to the fold. We bring in everyone. Read the last paragraph of the website. Madonna has Kaballah. Cat Stevens has Islam. Everyone has Christianity - Christina Aguilera. We need you to trumpet The Temple of Love on your website, on your tours, in your interviews. Search "unites Christianity Islam Judaism". There are a thousand results all ours. Only The Temple of Love makes peace among and unites Christianity Islam Judaism and Everyone else as the first step towards world peace. Right now these 3 religions are at world war with each other leading us all into the extinction of life on Earth forever. You have the opportunity to prevent the Apocalypse. Please help. Every child on Earth is depending upon you to save them from the real live fire of Nuclear World War 3. Yours truly, Karen Fish"
My letter to Ziggy Marley is an open letter to every celebrity who wants to use his or her fame to help The Temple of Love try to save every child on Earth from the onrushing fires of the Apocalypse, Nuclear World War 3.
About the Author
Karen Fish is a writer currently living in Los Angeles California. The Temple of Love http://www.thetempleoflove.com/

2006-12-09T01:36:00.000-08:00

2006-12-08T04:57:00.000-08:00

Rastalocks
by Kristy Pass

You've heard about dreadlocks, know they became popular as the fame of singer songwriter Bob Marley grew and have probably even read about their history. But do you know why you should get dreadlocks?
There are many reasons for wearing dreadlocks and looking like one of the stars is one of them. If that's your motivation, you can emulate Lenny Kravitz, Whoopie Goldberg, Rob Zombie, Ani DiFranco, or even the famous Rastafarian Bob Marley himself. There is no doubt that by sporting dreadlocks you'll be making a strong fashion statement. Like the actors, athletes and every day people that have come before you, you're dreadlocks will certainly draw attention.
Perhaps, though, your motivation for dreadlocks is of a spiritual nature. Rastafarians since the 1930's have been wearing dreadlocks to echo their belief system citing the Bible verse Leviticus 21:5: "They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh." Even the term "dreadlocks" is a form of spirituality signifying the "a fear of the Lord". The Sadhus and Sadhvis or Indian holy men and women believed their dreadlocks were sacred and helped them remember that physical appearances were not important. In China, though, dreadlocks were thought to bring good health.
Another reason for wearing dreadlocks is as a form of self and group expression. The Cyber Goth movement in Europe and Ravers in the United States are wearing dreadlock wigs and extensions made with brightly colored fibers. Many people view it as a statement of ethnic pride including people who are honoring their Celtic and Viking ancestry. Dreadlocks have been called a symbol of black unity and power as well as the outward display for environmental activism. Even the rock scene is joining the creative expressionists as artists like Rob Zombie and Mike Borden choose dreadlocks over the former metal mania norm of long hair.
There's one last reason you should get dreadlocks; Freedom. Whether you want to wear your hair down and flowing, bound on the top of your head, pulled back in a rubber band, covered with a shroom hat or even going every which way in a dreadlock version of spikes, you can because with dreadlocks you are not tied to a comb and your style is only limited by your imagination.
So take the plunge and get your killer Rastalocks today.
About the Author
Kristy Pass is a stay at home mom, marketing mentor, and amatuer writer. If you've found her latest article helpful, you'll love what you find at http://gkpass.infopal.hop.clickbank.net/

2006-12-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

A Tee Shirt May Make You a Walking Billboard

by Anthony Palladino
Copyright 2005 Anthony Palladino

Tee Shirt History
The tee shirt is nearly a century old (origin 1919) and is well becoming one of the most enduring symbols of youthful culture and expression. The walking advertisement of late twentieth-century American culture got its start as a humble item of men's underwear and got its name because when spread flat it formed a stubby letter T.
Its little sleeves and round collar distinguished the tee shirt from the standard sleeveless undershirt of the day. The sleeves may also have helped bring the tee shirt out of hiding in the 1930's and 1940's, since they offered a gesture toward modesty as well as a cache for a pack of cigarettes.
Dressing Up the Basic Tee Shirt
Once they were in view, tee shirts became canvasses for images and messages. In addition to basic white, they soon came in all colors and sizes; and equally important, they displayed first the emblems of schools and teams, and then every design or slogan imaginable.
Today a public event is hardly complete without its accompanying tee shirt. Whether it's a rock concert or a walk for cancer, you'll be sure to find a tee shirt commemorating the event.
Cold weather doesn't slow us down; we just cover the tee shirt with a sweatshirt, a 1925 American invention; or layer a tee over a long sleeve shirt. Some even refer to the long sleeve version of the short sleeve original as a "Long Sleeve tee shirt". Short or long, today, the tee shirt is a staple in just about everyone's wardrobe.
The Walking Billboard
And why do tee shirts never seem to fall out of favor? Because the tee shirt is the single most powerful form of individual expression for the average person.
When you wear a tee shirt with an embellishment on it, everyone may not interpret the embellishment the same way, but one thing is for sure, there is no question as to who is delivering the message. In today's world, there are lots of powerful tools that are accessible to those with something to say.
There is the Internet and all of its devices such as email, personal websites, blogs and forums, chat rooms, etc. And the more traditional forms of expression still exist such as writing - stories, letters, poems; or even art such as painting or sculpting. But with all of these aforementioned mediums through which one may express itself, there is none as powerful as the "Walking Billboard".
When you sport a tee shirt, you can't hide who you are and what you are thinking. If you wear a shirt that says "eat shit and die" everyone who crosses your path will know that you are a really angry person or a person with a very sick sense of humor...or maybe both.
Tee Shirts Online and Buying Trends
Now, hundreds upon thousands of tee shirts are available to us all, online. Whether you are looking for a novelty tee shirt with a raunchy saying or a political tee with a strong message, you will find no shortage of inventory in cyberspace.
The most popular sectors of the custom tee shirt market include Novelty tees, Skate and Surf tees, Hip Hop tees, High Fashion tees, Famous People tees, and Design It Yourself (DIY) tees.
At present, the fastest growing niche in the market seems to be that of Design It Yourself tees. While consumers are not getting tired of what the designers and retailers are offering, an increasingly large number of consumers seem to want to let their own creative juices flow and design their own.
Famous People Tees are Hot
Another emerging niche in the custom tee shirt market is Famous People tees, which offers original works of art that interpret icons of past and present. Some of the more popular icons to be featured are Bob Marley, Madonna, Che Guevara, and Al Pacino as Scarface.
Whatever your taste in tee shirts, just be prepared to take criticism, comment, or praise from those who view whatever it is you're advertising!
About the Author
Anthony Palladino is a cofounder of Icon Tees, a New Jersey firm that has developed an original line of tee shirts featuring popular icons like Madonna, Bruce Lee, Frank Sinatra, Run DMC and many more. Check out http://www.icontees.com/ and say what you want without having to say a word.

2006-12-05T21:29:00.000-08:00

T-Shirt Designers Say "Black Icons Are Cool"

by Anthony Palladino
Copyright 2006 Anthony Palladino

What's hip in t-shirt design, you ask? T-shirt designers say nothing's cooler than Black Icons. Yes, they mean African American Pop Icons...visionaries, entertainers, athletes, and activists. And why are t-shirts with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Richard Pryor, George Clinton, and Martin Luther King Junior all the rage? Because these brothers are cool....real cool. Is it the color of their skin? Is it their fame? Is it their struggle? Is it what they've accomplished? It's all of that, but most of all it's because they're all leaders in their own right. And people, regardless of race, respect and admire people who take charge. And if you're a brother in charge, well then more power to ya.
Some fashion critics say it's also the Hip Hop movement that's bringing famous brothers and sisters to the fashion forefront. Recent polls show that Hip Hop gear is the most popular attire for American kids in their early teens to mid-twenties. Thanks to Hip Hop pioneers like Russell Simmons, chairman & CEO of Rush Communications, which founded Def Jam Recordings and Phat Farm Clothing and Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment and Sean John Clothing, the Hip Hop lifestyle has gone mainstream. Kids and young adults from all over the world are embracing the music, clothing, and swaggerous way of living that is Hip Hop.
So who's wearing black icon tees? Everyone...from the girl next door to the biggest names in entertainment and sports...Rappers, Singers, Actors, Athletes, street kids, and even silver spooners are repping their favorite black icon.
P. Diddy has been sporting t-shirts embellished with images of his friend and rap prodigy the late Notorious BIG, since shortly after his death. Diddy has also been known to wear other late greats such as Marvin Gaye and Jam Master Jay. Rappers The Game and Snoop Dogg have been photographed wearing their West Coast mentor and friend Tupac Shakur. Producer, songwriter Wyclef Jean has been spotted wearing Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Junior, and Dr. Malcolm X Shabazz.
Kids all over America are wearing black icons...black inner city youth and white suburbanites alike. The fad which started in the streets probably made it to the burbs by way of television through music videos and other forms of entertainment.
In a predominantly white middle school in New Jersey one student has came up with an interesting class project for black history month. He has proposed that on the first Friday in February everyone in his history class wear a t-shirt embellished with a black icon. They will get partial credit for participating in the project, but will be graded on how well they deliver a biographical speech about the icon they are wearing.
Who's popular? O.K., so now you're wondering if it is cool to wear any old black icon on your chest. Well, the answer is yes, but in case you don't want to chance it, here is a list of some of the more popular black icon tees.
Music: Bob Marley, Ray Charles, Aaliyah, Jimi Hendrix, Rick James, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Miles Davis, Tupac. Sports: Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Don King, Dr. J., 1968 Olympic Protest, Jim Brown. Activists: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks. T.V. & Movie Personalities: Richard Pryor, Red Foxx as Fred Sanford, Jimmy Walker as JJ, Fred Berry as Rerun, Fat Albert.
How much do the cost and where are they sold? These shirts usually cost between $12 on the very low end to $30 on the high end. But the average price for a quality tee shirt is about 20 bucks. You'll find these shirts just about anywhere you look. Huge department stores like Target and Wal*Mart carry them, but the cooler, more original shirts can be found in the small boutique type apparel stores in most major cities or on the Internet.
About the Author
Anthony Palladino is a cofounder of Icon Tees, a New Jersey firm that has developed an original line of tee shirts featuring popular black icons like Notorious B.I.G., Muhammad Ali, Tupac Shakur, Prince, Run DMC and many more. Check out http://www.icontees.com/

2006-12-05T17:01:00.000-08:00

Bob Marley - Ongoing History

by All The Lyrics

Robert Nesta Marley, who is better known as Bob Marley has been regarded as a Rastafarian prophet at his native land of Jamaica. He has entered the world music scene for a long presence, traced even after his death. Bob Marley wass famous of popularizing the reggae genre outside of Jamaica. Presently, his relative successors resume Bob Marley's art activity. Bob Marley is father to 12 children and they all follow the path of their parent.
The four eldest children Ziggy, Sharon, Cedella and Stephen recorded their first single "Children Playing in the Streets" in the early childhood. The song was written by Bob Marley for the Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers band, comprising his four children. They toured and played joint gigs with Bob Marley, who strived to unite children, and thus organized them into a band.
In 1985 the Ziggy Marley and Melody Makers released their first album "Play the Game Right", which was nominated for a Grammy in the late 1985. Another CD album "Conscious Party" was released in 1988 and immediately became the platinum one. It was critically and popularly successful and included a song, later on nominated for the Grammy as the Best Reggae Recording. The band is now experiencing an art lull. All the members are mainly engaged in promoting their solo carriers. Stephen Marley also came up with an idea to cooperate with his brothers Rohan, Julian and Damian to launch the project "Ghetto Youths International", created to promote young talented musicians of Jamaica.
The youngest son of Bob Marley a Grammy-winning reggae artist Damian is now facing his golden age. As of 2006 he released three albums. The "Welcome to JamRock" was nominated for as many as four international awards and became the 2002 recipient of the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. Damien has been performing since he was 13, unlike his siblings his musical speciality is "DJing", the Jamaican style of "rapping", which some consider a predecessor of modern hip-hop.
About the Author
Article sourse: Bob Marley - Ongoing History.

2006-12-05T13:48:00.000-08:00

A Brief History of Epiphone Guitars

by William McRea

When thinking about the history of Epiphone, one must start in Greece where Anastasios Stathopoulos made lioutos (a Greek stringed instrument), mandolins, fiddles, and lutes. The family moved to New York, and his son, Epi Stathopoulos inherited the company in 1915.
The company name changed from the House of Stathopoulos to Epiphone, a combination of his name and the Greek word for sound. The change was made official in 1928. It was during this time that the company was active in making banjos, and they even bought out a banjo company in Long Island. After the change was approved, the company became the Epiphone Banjo Co.
Epiphones guitars were launched in 1931. This was a full line of what are known as archtop guitars, a style that is popular with jazz and blues musicians. They quickly became one of the top guitar produces with Gibson being one of their biggest rivals. Notable Epiphone players of that time include Tony Mottola with the George Hall band and two band members of Benny Goodman.
Epi unfortunately died of leukemia and left the company to Orphie, who before his death was the second in command. His other brother, Frixo, became the Vice President. The two brothers later have a feud and Frixo sells his stock. After that, company had some trouble and eventually stopped producing a lot of instruments.
In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument purchased Epiphone and made them a division of Gibson. Epiphone now still maintains their own line of guitars and the Gibson and Epiphone labels remain separate.
Current Epiphone models include a few Gibson copies (Epiphones version of the Flying-V and Les Paul are a few examples), and a few original Epiphone lines. The original guitars include all the versions of the Casino, Zephyr, and Sheraton, the Wildkat, the Broadway, and the Emporer.
Epiphone has had some famous endorsees. Both George Harrison and John Lennon played Epiphone Casinos. Lennon is famous for his personal modifications to the Casino. Other artists include Bob Marley, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, Lars Frederickson or Rancid, and Chad of Nickelback. For a complete list of artists, visit the Epiphone website . The list is quite extensive.
Here are what some uses have to say about Epiphone guitars (source Harmony Central):
About the Epiphone G-400 Custom
Action was really good. Finish was ok. Definately looks different than the rest of the pack. Gold hardware is gorgeous. The custom logo shined in the stage lights. I had to have it and I had fun with it for a few years.
This guitar is solid. Never goes out of tune. Hardware will dull a bit over the years. Strap buttons are solid. Careful with the neck dive on stage. Very top heavy.
About the Epiphone Flying Vee-Wee
I absolutely love this guitar!!! The VeeWee is the perfect shape for lap you can rest your hand on the upper arm of the V, or put it your hand in the point of the V to pick right near the bridge. The controls and cord jack are in the perfect position for lap style as well. Since it is so small and inexpensive, I carry it with me everywhere. I would not dream of bringing my Les Paul into the office, but this VeeWee is perfect for break time noodling. As I mentioned, the sound is great. I now own 5 guitars, and my lap-steel PeeVee wins the Most Fun award hands down!
About the Author
Guitar Warehouse is your place to Buy Guitar and other musical gear. We also offer a wide range of free guitar lessons and tips.

2006-12-04T00:32:00.000-08:00

Buying a Band T Shirt Online

by Johnny Hayden

What is it that Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Green Day and the Grateful Dead all have in common? We could easily add in Guns 'n' Roses, Motley Crue and Johnny Cash to the bunch if that'll make it easier for you! What about Velvet Revolver, John Lennon and the Clash? Each of these musical artists and bands is captured for an eternity on t-shirts for you to proudly display as one of your all-time, personal favorites.
Band t shirts began to make their mark in history books at the end of the sixties when bands began to tour nationally and play the larger venues. The demanding concertgoers of the day wanted more than a ticket stub to remember the event, so t-shirts began being sold at the show itself. Before you knew what happened, t-shirts with band logos, photos and other types of insignia started popping up in music specialty stores across the country. As the demand grew, so did the number of stores that carried the shirts, and the bands came out with more and more designs for customers to buy.
As the years passed, some of the greats of music history passed, too. Janis Joplin and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin both lost their lives to alcohol; Bob Marley lost a battle with cancer; Jimi Hendrix took sleeping pills and never awoke; therefore the show did not go on. The demand for t-shirts continued to grow, even when the artist or band was no longer performing. As a remembrance of their favorites, t-shirt sales did nothing but increase through the years as their music lived on for future generations to enjoy.
You can buy all sorts of band t-shirts at the mall, department stores and specialty shops across the country, but finding the exact shirt that you're looking for in the size that you require can be a difficult and/or frustrating task, to say the least. The time spent, not to mention the fuel that you'd use driving from one store to another is hardly worth the effort, not to mention that you'll probably give up from pure aggravation.
The Internet has yet again made the most of variety and convenience, offering a wide variety of band t-shirts, commemorating the latest in music, the classics and absolutely everything in between, usually in one online locale- all just a few clicks away. No matter what your musical taste, or that of you family and friends for whom you may be searching for the perfect gift, beginning your band t-shirt shopping online will save you a lot of time and energy, as you will undoubtedly end up completing your shopping on the world wide web.
About the Author
Johnny Hayden recommends that you visit http://www.band.com/ for more information on buying a band t shirt.

2006-12-03T20:29:00.000-08:00

Caribbean Festivals Show Island Culture

by Jennifer Smith

Cold winters mean many travelers head to the Caribbean for a break from the snow and ice, but freezing temperatures aren't the only reason to stop in on these islands. No matter what your interests are, you're sure to find something to do in the islands year-round, particularly when you consider the many delightful festivals that take place on the isles.
Carnival Events
The best-known Caribbean festival is Carnival, which is sometimes spelled "Carnaval." Many islands celebrate this annual event just before Ash Wednesday, but the dates do vary from island to island. This event is generally an island-wide party, so while some parents with younger children may not consider Carnival the most appropriate festival, those interested in experiencing a genuine slice of island culture will usually enjoy this event.
These traditional Carnival dates are followed throughout much of the Dutch and French Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthelemy, and Saint Martin - but not Sint Maarten. The Dominican Republic, Dominica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago also share these Carnival dates.
In Sint Maarten, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, and Jamaica, Carnival falls directly during Easter week, while those in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico continue their celebrations from the week before into Easter itself. Vacationers can enjoy Carnival on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands toward the end of April.
With Sint Eustatius (also known as Statia), St. Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda travelers can take part in the festivities of a Caribbean Carnival in July. Grenada's Carnival falls in August while St. Kitts' is celebrated for a week beginning on Christmas Eve.
Each island has its own style of celebration, but one thing you can be sure to find is a distinct expression of an island's culture. Carnival is particularly known for its festivities filled with colorful and traditional characters from island lore. Often, a king and queen are named for the event and, though all Carnival celebrations include music, on some islands musicians vie for competitive titles. If you're looking for a sure way to see and hear the best the islands have to offer, Carnival is one cultural event you shouldn't miss.
Mass Music
Music may be required for Carnival celebrations, but it is also something islanders take particular pride in. Islands often host annual festivals featuring the cream of the crop in reggae, jazz, soca, and more. With so many music festivals in the region, it's easy to find one year-round.
One of the most popular festivals in the Caribbean, the Barbados Jazz Festival is called "Paint it Jazz." The event is generally held early in the year, around the middle of January, which is the same month a different type of crowd comes to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the St. Croix Blues and Heritage Festival. Travelers can enjoy Jamaican styles at the Negril Music Festival the following month.
In May, the sounds of jazz are everywhere. Curaçao's KLM Jazz Festival happens early in the month, but mid-month the St. Lucia International Jazz Festival opens its doors. At the end of May, those who like jazz can also stop in at the Jazz Festival on Antigua or visit Puerto Rico for the Heineken Jazz Festival.
Sample something different in June at the St. Kitts Music Festival, or enjoy Jamaican jazz at the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. Those who enjoy reggae may also want to be on the island in late July or early August for the Reggae Sumfest. Latin dance fans also have something to look forward to in July, when the Dominican Republic hosts the Merengue Festival.
Curaçao invites travelers to experience jazz again at the Curaçao Jazz Festival in early October, but those who would like to stop in the Dominican Republic can also enjoy the Annual Jazz Festival early in the month. While Jamaica kicks things off in November with the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Trinidad is host to the Pan Jazz Festival mid-month.
Those who like music, particularly jazz, will always find it in the Caribbean, but a music festival in these islands is a unique experience. Throughout the Caribbean you'll find these and plenty more musical festivals to enjoy each year.
Local Socials
While some loves and festivals, like music and Carnival, are shared throughout the Caribbean region, each island has its own unique festivals as well. These many include Independence Day or the celebration of a ruler's birth, there are some traditional festivals that differ among the islands. Of course, most islands host plenty of local festivals, but some of the most famous parties include the following:
*Reggae lovers will find plenty to enjoy on the island of Jamaica around January 6th, when Reggae Sunsplash coincides with the Bob Marley Birthday Bash.
*Puerto Rico celebrates its agriculture with a Coffee Harvest Festival for its popular mountain brew. You can celebrate alongside the locals in mid-February.
*Pirates Week is a popular time to enjoy the Cayman Islands, especially for the young at heart, while the islands celebrate their history. Pirates come to the spotlight alongside the islands' seafaring past during the last week of October.
*The nautically inclined can also enjoy Antigua Sailing Week at the end of April. This popular celebration has included as many as 1,500 participants, with 5,000 onlookers watching some of the world's top sailors.
*Historically, Barbadian field workers celebrated the end of the growing season in July or early August, and this tradition has carried forward in the form of Barbados' Crop Over Festival, one of the best-known Caribbean events.
No matter when you're planning a trip to the islands, you're sure to encounter a culture with a cause for celebration. On some islands, towns each have their own local festivals and events, while on others you may find commonly celebrated Caribbean pastimes. Either way, celebrations are a fun way to round out any trip to the Caribbean.
About the Author
Jennifer Smith writes for StLucia-Guide.info, Jamaica-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.
© 2005, Interactive Internet Websites, Inc.Article may only be reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links remain live.

2006-12-03T20:23:00.000-08:00

Caribbean Art Brightens More Than Walls

by Jennifer Smith

Arts have always been one of the most important aspects of Caribbean culture. As more and more artists from the region attract international acclaim and attention, the unique style of Caribbean painters is becoming accessible to wider and more diverse audiences.
Music and literature are, perhaps, the best-known Caribbean art forms, with famous names like musician Bob Marley and poet Derek Walcott creating works the whole world enjoys. But painting is growing as a recognized form of expression. Such colorful depictions of island life are especially popular in Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica.
Art History
The unique sights and sounds of the Caribbean have always been an inspiration to any who experience them. The bright colors of the region's landscapes and vibrant personalities of its people are particularly important in the region. The Caribbean's art history does contain a few surprises. Both Camille Pissarro and John Audubon, famous artists, were born in the Caribbean. Although their styles are not typical of the area, they have been influential in the development of regional art.
Pissarro was born on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, then at the age of 12 he moved to France. After he completed school, Pissarro returned to St. Thomas. When he moved to Paris a second time, Pissarro became very influential among the Impressionists. Similarly, John Audubon was born in Haiti and moved to France at a young age. His study of birds took off during his later move to America.
However, Europe may only lay claim to some of the influences behind Caribbean artwork. African and Latin American styles are also strongly represented. African colors and people are often the subjects of paintings, with shades of Latin American styles to influence the images.
Artistic Discovery
Fine Caribbean art can be found on many islands, but Cuban artists have been flourishing since the beginning of the 20th century. The political strife on Haiti and Cuba in particular have provided island artists the opportunity to express complex emotions and political beliefs through their paintings.
Cuba's Wilfredo Lam was one of the first Caribbean artists to gain worldwide recognition. An associate of both Picasso and Georges Braque, which added to his success, he was widely respected. The popularity of Lam quickly turned the art world's attention toward the entire region.
Fine works of art can be found on islands throughout the Caribbean, including Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. The Internet has also helped art aficionados access these unique styles by allowing people to view artists' works online without having to catch a plane or physically travel to a gallery or museum that features Caribbean artists - though many of the world's most famous galleries now have Caribbean collections.
However, fine works of art from many countries throughout the Caribbean also make popular souvenirs for those who do visit. Travelers enjoy bringing them home, and, luckily, fine arts are not included in the customs allowance for travelers returning to the United States from the Caribbean.
For anyone who craves visual art that is unique and refreshing, the beautiful works of Caribbean painters are a breath of fresh air. Artists who use the Caribbean's one-of-a-kind scenery and lifestyle as the basis for their art provide a new and creative way to view paradise.
About the Author
Jennifer Smith writes for Jamaica-Guide.info, StKitts-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.
© 2005, Interactive Internet Websites, Inc.Article may only be reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links remain live.

2006-12-03T19:41:00.000-08:00

Bob Marley: Legend - The Greatest Hits Album

by Glen B. Porter

The album Bob Marley Legend is one of the best albums of all time, especially in the realm of pop. Bob Marley Legend tells you the story of the world- famous Bob Marley and the Wailers, by having such classic tracks and all time hits as Buffalo Soldier, Stir it Up, Get Up Stand Up, Is This Love, just to name a few. Marley is one of the most phenomenal musicians in history, and almost single-handedly pioneered the art of reggae music. It is a testament to him that, despite the fact that he is probably more famous worldwide than all other reggae artists combined, he is still adored and respected in his native Jamaica rather than resented for permanently acing the rest of the local music.
Whenever I am feeling depressed with the way things are, I like to put on Bob Marley Legend and dream about a better world. I see clearly why it is like by hippies, frat boys, rastas, and college kids of all kinds. Bob Marley has managed to capture the virility of life, the spirit of youth and rebellion which is lacking from this modern life. The Wailers did more than revolutionize music - Bob Marley and his band with their tuneful groove and deep bass hooks helped to transform life itself for all of us.
Bob Marley Legend was one of the first albums I've heard in college, which is a fairly typical story. Many people started their love affair with a band this way. Something about the smooth, timeless groove of the Wailers makes it perfect for the dorm parties we had so often back then. My first girl friend in college was a huge Bob Marley Legend fan, and used to like to put it on whenever we were together. It is just the mellowest thing possible, and I can't imagine how I can live without those breezy melodies.
Although he is admired by fans of all kinds, Bob Marley Legend was originally radical music meant to bring to the world's attention the plight of average Jamaicans under tight clasps of poverty as well as political disenchantment and disenfranchisement.
Bob Marley himself always triumphed for noble causes such as independence and the right of ordinary people, and his radical spirit is still fresh in the songs that he plays. Wailers songs are not just meant as party music, although of course, they are lots of fun to party too. They are meant to make the listener feel a thirst for justice and peace, and sow the seeds of hope for a better world.
About the Author
Linda E. Joy is a writer for The Arts Magazine. The site provides readers with the latest insights and write-ups on all things and family oriented, and much more.