A dear friend of mine emailed a ?? back to me when I used the term Belly Rubbin' Music in our correspondence. I was referring to Otis Redding in the email, and hopefully the embedded video below will illustrate at least some of what I mean.
The Wife and I use terms that we made up ourselves for so long, we forget that other people don't use these terms. I got the term Belly Rubbin' Music from one of my parents, I don't know which one. The Wife picked it up from me.
BRM spans decades, and covers different genres and epochs of music, as well as different levels of musical talent. Not all BRM is good music, but it doesn't have to be, it just has to have that special something, that something that means grab your mate and get sultry. Some examples of BRM performers are Barry White, Al Green, and Luther Vandross. BRM is by no means restricted to these performers, but they are stand-outs in the field. There are new artists trying to pull off the simple animal magnetism that these previous performers can induce, but I'm not sure any of them do it.
R & B crooner singing a slow dance would be one way to define the term -- but I'm betting that's way too specific. Not all BRM singers are considered R & B. Something you would put on the turntable to accompany lit candles, some incense, and baby-making is a better definition.
Yes it is an imprecise term -- and the dear friend I'm referring to abhors imprecision, so I beg his accommodation on this issue.
Enjoy your own made-up languages,
Bp
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3 comments:
I don't abhor imprecision; I detest it.
And, you forgot one of the kings of BRM. Although best known for 'The Theme from Shaft' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZzBrxj-Gjo) and his role as Chef on 'South Park' (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=skatemaniak), Barry White is derivative of such Ike tracks as this materpiece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6xIxzZAOZc&feature=related
Also, let's not forget a couple of other BRM specialists: Harlold Melvin & The Bluenotes featuring Teddy Pendergrass (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkXIRoTIViU&feature=related) and The Manhattans(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvpSQUV3eEk)
mebbe the lit candles and/or incense, but "baby making"???
nuh UH!!
that would qualify as "imprecise" for me, hehe. . .
Anonymous, true true -- again, imprecision strikes, as it's not true for me either.
Rocking selections Mr. Farnham, and yes you get the gist completely.
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