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the most sampled drum beat in the history of recorded music


Kanada Kev

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I've had this link for ages and just found it again. Interesting and I figured it would be of interest here:

http://www.nkhstudio.com/pages/popup_amen.html

popup_amen_thumbs.jpg

Can I Get An Amen?, 2004

recording on acetate, turntable, PA system, paper documents

dimensions variable

total run time 17 minutes, 46 seconds

Can I Get An Amen? is an audio installation that unfolds a critical perspective of perhaps the most sampled drum beat in the history of recorded music, the Amen Break. It begins with the pop track Amen Brother by 60's soul band The Winstons, and traces the transformation of their drum solo from its original context as part of a 'B' side vinyl single into its use as a key aural ingredient in contemporary cultural expression. The work attempts to bring into scrutiny the techno-utopian notion that 'information wants to be free'- it questions its effectiveness as a democratizing agent. This as well as other issues are foregrounded through a history of the Amen Break and its peculiar relationship to current copyright law.

Listen here:

http://www.nkhstudio.com/pages/amen_mp4.html

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can't see/hear it. but i found this embedded link which i am downloading and it will hopefully work - cause it sounds cool

http://ia300137.us.archive.org/2/items/NateHarrisonCanIGetAnAmen/NateHarrisonCanIGetAnAmen.mov

Yup, that's the same piece. I listened again last night. It's pretty damn cool if you ask me.

I just tried again and this link worked for me:

http://www.nkhstudio.com/pages/amen_mp4.html

When I was at York U. my best-ever post-secondary course (Ethnomusicology with Rob Bowman) did the same sort of thing following another song and it's transformation through the decades.

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When I was at York U. my best-ever post-secondary course (Ethnomusicology with Rob Bowman) did the same sort of thing following another song and it's transformation through the decades.

I did a music in society course with that guy...

He ruled.

Told us to go easy on him 'cause Keith Richards had slipped him some acid in Australia on the weekend.

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