Activities and Sonic connections–”Iko Iko”
Primarily, the most important activities components regarding “Iko Iko” are the rhythmic movement of the sounds. There are a special connection between the rhythm and the sonic energy of the song.
First of all, I would like to say that “Iko Iko” by Dr. John and The Dixie Cups are special tribute versions. They are both full of positive energy and musical liveliness!
When talking about the activities component, it is important to mention the importance of dancing in New Orleans. The Crescent City is a cultural and musical mecca.
It is very easy to dance along with the beat and melody of “Iko Iko”. Also, it is the lyrics are very easy to remember and the melody is very catchy. There is something very mysterious and mystic about “Iko Iko” and it will always be one of the major highlights of New Orleans music.
With the fusion of piano and call and response vocals, these ingredients makes quite a catchy dance tune! It’s a very community oriented song, which explains it’s immense popularity.
According to the book “Musical Gumbo” during the first wave of Rhythm and Blues, “the concept of keeping the races separate was not only bizarre, it was difficult to “enforce”. Typically it meant that whites and blacks sat at different tables in clubs, or seperate sections in theaters. When someone went table-hopping, it could lead to a police raid. In the rural South, barns were sometimes set up as primitive, temporary dance halls. A rope would be strung to divide the areas of each race could dance. The stars of the so-called chitlin’ circuit, such as the singer Ruth Brown, recalled with wry amusement that once the music got hot and the adventurous young black and whites began to dance, the rope sometimes would get trampled on. It was not uncommon for the police to be called to restore the social order” (Pg. 74). The power of the instrumentation and rhythm allowed youth to spend time together. The power of the music was set free! Creative expression is always set forth.
In 1835, slaves would gather on Sundays at Congo Square. Congo Square is a large open space at the intersection of Rampart and Orleans streets on the border of Vieux Carre’. According to the book “Musical Gumbo”, white observers were “drawn to Congo Square by the incessant beat of drums, throngs of slaves would throw off their cares by dancing the Bamboula, the Calinda, and other joyous, exotic dances of African origin. Their stringed instruments and drums were similar to those used in Africa” Pg. 19.
This clearly provides evidence that African slaves were protecting and preserving their cultural identity through the healing power of music. Celebratory gatherings aid in preserving musical cultural identity. Dancing is fun and is a great stress release for anyone!
In conclusion, the repetitive rhythmic patterns of “Iko Iko” provide sufficient content for dancing.
Dancing is part of social organization and communal gathering is great for the human soul!
Works Cited
Lichtenstein, Grace, and Laura Dankner. Mucho Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans.
New York: W.W. Norton, 1993. Print.
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