Journal - Book Report/Review Example

Journal s/summary/questions. Clark, Matthew Corbin. “Birth of a Beijing Music Scene.” China in the Red: Frontline. February 13, 2003. Web Retreived from: < http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/red/sonic/ > This text is a first person account of an American student of music and production who went to study in China and finally met up with Cui Jian, the famous rock singer known as “the father of Chinese Rock” (p. 1). It describes Cui Jian’s music in the following ways:a raspy and emotional voicea bizarre concoction of post-Communist celebrity, cross-cultural artistic transfer, David & Goliath political dynamics and inspired musicianshipThe article then describes how Cui Jian at first resisted political instructions, but gradually learned to be “a shrewd yet cooperative collaborator with government agencies” (p. 1). The author describes the growing underground music scene in Beijing in the late 1990s and the introduction of more and more Western musical forms to China and then highlights the bands he has promoted in China.

He questions how relevant Cui Jian will be in the new millennium but at the same time recognises his importance for Chinese music.Questions for reflection: How transferable is culture from West to East, and from East to West? How has politics influenced the development of the rock music scene in China?What effect has Cui Jian had since the start of the new millennium?This is a very Western view: how is Cui Jian perceived in China?Can a musical artist pursue a career without live performances?

Or must he submit to political control in order to have any career at all?