Some kids went to the movies for escape. We found it with jazz. This is where we got religion. It was a kind of raw spiritual anarchy.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how jazz provided a profound sense of escape and spiritual fulfillment for some individuals, akin to a religious experience.
In this quote, John Densmore reflects on the power of jazz music as a means of emotional and spiritual liberation. Unlike those who sought escape in the movies, Densmore and his peers discovered a deep connection and sense of freedom through jazz, which they perceived as an almost religious experience. This 'raw spiritual anarchy' suggests a rejection of traditional norms in favor of a more visceral and instinctive expression of creativity and emotion.
In practice
In a discussion about the ways music can influence emotions, this quote can illustrate jazz as a form of escape.
I'm really glad we came up when we did. When we got started, the record companies were concerned with building careers. They made sure you could put on a live show before you put a record out. And if your first album sold 100,000 to 200,000 copies, they were happy, because they figured you had your foot in the door on a way to a long career.
Jazz is about being in the moment.
The thing about Led Zeppelin was that it was always four musicians at the top of their game, but they could play like a band.
No matter what type of equipment you have, you still have to have a certain talent to be able to make a good record.
I'm from Kenner, Louisiana, where music is played for every occasion in life. There's music for being born, there's music for dying... It's just natural. Families get really good because they play a lot together.
I only knew classical music, which to me was the only true music. The only way I could survive at the bar was to mix the classical music with popular songs, and that meant I had to sing. What happened was that I discovered I had a voice plus the talent to mix classical music together with more popular songs, which at the time I detested.
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