Abstract
This paper discusses how Bob Dylan has exerted a lasting influence on our culture and has altered our conception of what is possible within a popular song and particularly within its lyrics. It looks at how it is upon his sixties songs that his reputation rests and how throughout these songs he covered and developed a broad spectrum of themes, an important and reoccurring one being women. It explores the presentation of women in Dylan's early albums using a selection of songs which the author feels to be representative of each record.

From the Paper
"Another side of Bob Dylan (1964) was his last solo album until the 1990s. With the exception of one song, none of the songs had any overtly political theme. The album marked a shift from the public Dylan to a more private and introspective Dylan. The songs on the album offer personal explorations of love and focus on the nature of relationships.
To Ramona is fundamentally a break-up song in which the singer reluctantly takes his leave of a girl ensnared by the opinions of her acquaintances. It expresses feelings in a direct manner, yet is softened by reaching a moving and mature resolution in which he comes to accept the inevitability of the change, while refusing to shut the door completely on any future possibility of reunion."

Tags:music, love, lyrics, sixties

Abstract
This paper examines how the evolution of popular music over the last century has undoubtedly been heavily influenced by the constant development in recording technologies. It looks at how the huge variety of options available to producers and engineers nowadays are almost boundless and how virtually any radical new idea conjured up in the studio can be implemented in one of several ways. It shows how the changing way in which music is produced can be analyzed by looking at several contrasting recordings, produced at suitable milestones in record production history.

From the Paper
"The audio quality of the record is somewhat poorer than more modern reel-to-reel tape recordings. This is primarily due to the non-existence of any noise reduction technology, but also because of the lack of attention paid to the rest of the signal chain, other than the microphones and the tape machine itself. The high proportion of background electrical noise and hiss was mostly created (and then further amplified at the output) in unbalanced, un-screened cabling runs, and poorly earthed equipment. More modern tape machines like those used at Electric Lady Studios by Stevie Wonder, would have been properly biased to balance unwanted distortion and noise, with high frequency fidelity."

Tags:song, sound, popular

Abstract
This paper examines how the cost of releasing new commercial records is high and how once the public profile of an album in its primary release dies away, it often becomes uneconomical for the record label to maintain support for that release. It covers the main strategies used by record labels to generate income from back-catalogues and looks at topics such as compilation albums, re-issues and retail mechanisms.

From the Paper
"The release of a "Greatest Hits" is not necessarily a gravestone marking the end of an artist's career and it is now likely that a greatest hits compilation may be superseded by a new album. There may even be multiple greatest hits released for one act; Madonna's "Immaculate Collection" topped the British album chart in December of 1990 but still managed to re-enter the chart in January of 2001, peaking at number 21. In November of the same year Madonna released her second greatest hits album "GHV2: Greatest Hits Volume 2 " "The Best Songs of a Decade" which reached number 2."

Tags:album, business, commercial, mechanism, record

Abstract
The paper discusses the practical and technological developments, the economic development, the transformation in the nature of individual composers and the development of public music halls and concert venues that all influenced the growing commercialisation of music. The paper highlights the beginning of music's role as a social and political tool on the mass stage.

From the Paper
"The history of music is a varied one. Moreover, it has undergone numerous radical transformations in the course of its long life. The assessment of this development requires the examination of a multitude of factors and issues. Above all, the progression of music through the ages has not occurred in isolation from other trends and developments. Music has impacted upon external forces in the same way as external influences and innovations have affected music. Thus, what at first may appear to be a singular study is actually not."

Tags:composers, printing, concert, halls, capitalism, Marx

Abstract
Internet retailers and High St. shops were analysed in this report on the effectiveness of on-line music business retail comparative to traditional chain stores and independants. In the interviews people were asked to give their reasons they prefered buying in any specific manner and these answers were analyzed.

From the Paper
"Years ago, when the internet first emerged in its current form, the thought that one day we would be buying anything, let alone household products, using a computer was laughable. So why did things change? Or did they change at all? Do we now buy more things over the Internet than anyone could ever imagine? Or is it all just still, well quite frankly, a bit of a grey area? "

Tags:internet, marketing, retail, uk, music, industry, cyber, business

Abstract
This paper outlines the opposing standpoints of Adorno and Benjamin on popular music, with specific reference to their view of the consumer. The value of these theories are then discussed with reference to the later theories of David Riesman and Henry Pleasants, Andrew Chester, Simon Frith, Richard Middleton and Max Paddison.

From the Paper
"Yet, even if the consumer's perceptive capacity is limited, there is still scope for individual choice, and thus for varying levels of the self-reflective in popular music. If consumers use their music to construct their identity, there will always be a market for these varying levels. As Frith suggests, 'the question should be 'how can popular music construct people?'' A reflection of the person behind the consumer in popular music rejects Adorno's claim that the industry invalidates the individual. Longhurst and Shuker explore this further in their analysis of the industry's sub-cultures, which allow mass identity to segregate and the potential for the individual to find their own route."

Tags:chester, frith, paddison, passivity, pleasants, pseudo, riesman

Abstract
This essay applies the thoughts of critical theorists such as Barthes and Eagleton to the concept of music and it?s cultural roots and present day entity.

Tags:barthes, eagleton, elton, john, lennon, tempest

Abstract
A look at the origins of Indian culture with emphasis on Indian music and dance. The author examines the roots of music and dance from legends, myths and ancient scripts and provides an understanding of the historical foundation of Indian music and dance.

From the Paper
"The history of Indian music and dance is one of the oldest unbroken artistic traditions in the world. It is said that the origins of this system go back to the Vedas, the ancient scripts of the Hindus. Numerous legends have grown up concerning the origins and development of Indian classical music and dance. Such legends illustrate the importance both that music and dance have had in defining Indian culture, especially from a religious perspective. This investigation is meant to explore the historical foundation of Indian music to ascertain a better understanding of the classical form."

Tags:continent, india, sub

Abstract
This paper attemts to examine the theoretical arguments concerning grazing and consumption in general, by exploring some of the research and works of theorists on popular culture. With reference to established sources on popular culture including Adrono, Frith and Fiske, this paper investigates the notions of multiplicity of choice, 'grazing' and 'commodification' in relation to music consumption and freedom of choice. In conclusion it asks if we (as the audience of popular music) really have choice.

Outline
Commodification and Choice
Adorno
Fiske
Frith
Theories on Grazing ? Social Factors
Conclusions on Commodification and Grazing ? Do We Really Have Choice
Conclusions on Choice in Popular Music
Conclusions on Choice and Grazing

From the Paper
"Criticism of Adorno's views on mass culture is wide ranging. Much stems from the fact that his view of popular music is taken from the viewpoint of high art and therefore, misses the point of popular music in the first place. Other dissatisfaction concerns his failure to address the emergence of Rock n? Roll in the 1950s; Paddison makes the observation that ?Adorno's defence of the musical avant garde can be applied to the work of composer and performers of popular music such as frank Zappa and Henry Crow. (Shuker 2002: 137 quoting Paddison 1993). However, the elements of Marxist theory in the work of the Frankfurt school, particularly concerning commodification, have been widely accepted and expanded upon by bodies such as the Birmingham school, and even populists such as Fiske."

Tags:adorno, musicology, fiske, frith

Abstract
A look at the formation of the 'Mighty Five', five Russian composers, Korsakov, Balakirev, Borodin, Mussorgsky and Glinka who changed Russian music and stance impacting recognition from the Western world. A look at their contributions and impact on the world of music.

From the Paper
"The culmination of five ingenious, dedicated composers and one highly skilled evangelist led to the recognition of Russian music. This would be the recognition of a distinct, nationalist approach to music. Involving traditional melodies, and folk songs, and composed in a uniquely Russian manner. They would forever change Russian classical music, and made a large impact upon the rest of the Western world. It is important to recognize two key individuals; one Rimsky-Korsakov for his incredibly sophisticated works, and two the work of Stasov as propagandist. Finally the Mighty Five as a whole should be recognized for their achievements, contributions, and enduring impact on music.'

Tags:composer, russia, russian, Korsakov, Balakirev, Borodin, Mussorgsky, Glinka