Sly and Zappa: the communal minds
02.09.06 (1:36 am) [edit]While I was thinking of the Sly's performance that I actually missed tonight at the Grammy ceremony, another big image surfaced my mind. Frank Zappa was another gigantic musician who liked to work in the big band as Mothers. These two had things in common; they loved to help others cultivate their own talents by performing with them. Sly is still remembered as a musician who not only excelled and accomplished his own talent but employed many and unconventional musicians in the context, such as white musicians for his funky style and female musicians with unaiticipated instruments, and let them all flourish together. On the other hand, Zappa was known for his performing in the ultra big band and during their performance, famouse figures, such as Captain Beefheart, came out. He not only encouraged others develop but was more than happy to offer them the opportunity to thrive. If art is doomed to be a game of claming the artwork's ownership in the capitalism mind set, nowadays we are too immune to see it as something other than ownership; people cannot see it as one's claiming his/her ego or monopolysing the monetary benefit that is to come along with it. However, it really stints an artist's growth, inspirations and artists' community as well. Those two, Sly and Zappa, still remind us of how real arts are always communal and why so by their rich music and broad minds.