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An opposing point of view

William Johnson | North Carolina | 05/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mr Welsh's dislike for Beach Music is obvious, but his dislike for the people of North and South Carolina is also obvious, in a forum where it should not be. He has chosen to express that dislike by submitting "reviews" of several Carolina Beach Music CDs. However, what he offers as reviews of multiple CDs are mostly word for word copies of the same hate speech. Given his lack of substantive comments, a reasonably critical reader is wholly justified in doubting that Mr. Welsh actually listened to the music. He simply cut and pasted his disdain for the people of the Carolinas into each submission. Im sorry Mr. Welsh harbors such scorn for people like me, but since he feels comfortable using his "review" to denigrate the people of the Southeast, I feel compelled to use this forum to offer another point of view.



If Mr. Welsh is going to pose as a writer he should familiarize himself with the terms he uses. He states, "in the majority of the known universe, the term "shag" refers to the sex act the ironic thing is that "shag" refers to something altogether different in the... southeastern US (and thank God, nowhere else)..." A quick look at the dictionary and one can find several meanings for the term "shag," one of which is a kind of dance. Its not just the Carolinians who use "shag" to mean a dance, There is also a dance called the St Louis Shag and another called the Collegiate Shag. Apparently, Mr. Welsh's "known universe" is rather small.



One of the few truths that can be found in Mr. Welsh's diatribe is that many of the bands that play beach music are local. I don't believe it is unfair to loosely classify Carolina Beach Music as folk music and the bands Folk bands. What he cannot understand is that some of these bands are local institutions. Singers and musicians may come and go, but the band lives on for decades. For example, three of the current members of the Band of Oz had yet to be born when the band was formed, but they have stepped into the shoes of those who went before. When they move on, God willing, others will take their place, and the band and their music will endure. I find it fascinating to see little children, teenagers, young adults, the parents, and grandparents of the young adults all together singing along with The Chairmen of the Board. How many bands can claim that kind of multigenerational following? Beach bands often sing of happy times at real places, which are known and visited by the people in the audience. Some of the music is intended for and enjoyed by audiences outside the Southeast. However, It is not surprising, that someone from the west coast will not have the same appreciation for a song entitled "Carolina Girls" as will Carolinians. In Mr. Welsh's small mind, that makes it inferior.



But speaking of West Coasters, Mr. Welsh probably doesn't know that California's state dance is the West Coast Swing, which is done to the same music as the Carolina Shag - Different songs, different lyrics but the same strong downbeat and the same smooth character. It's just beach music with a different name.



Frankly, I doubt that Mr. Welsh has seen much Carolina Shag, because his description of the dance is far from accurate. He describes the Carolina Shag as a Lindy done at warp speed. That statement is simply a lie. Other than being a couple's dance, The Carolina Shag bears little resemblance to the Lindy. I have spent many summers shagging at the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach, SC, the undisputed birthplace of the Carolina Shag. While there are some shaggers who can put on a dazzling display of footwork, the overwhelming majority of us dance at a moderate pace, often slower than that preferred East Coast Swing dancers. The uninitiated need only listen to the tempo of the music to get a feel of how fast the dance is done. The dancers' goal is to be as smooth as buttered glass as they transition seamlessly between steps. Mr. Welsh simply doesn't know what he is talking about.



Unfortunately, the 1989 film entitled, Shag the Movie, did a poor job portraying what shag dancing is. There are some video clips on the Web that do a better job of showcasing the dance, but one has to visit the Grand Strand to appreciate fully the relaxed and friendly flavor of shag dancing culture. I hope many of you will ignore Mr. Welsh's immature, hateful ranting and visit the Carolina coast this summer. You are all welcome. We'll sing you a song and teach you to dance. Don't forget your sansabelt pants ;-)

"

PREJUDICE, BIGOTRY & HATE DO NOT CONSTITUTE A "REVIEW"

Old R&B, Blues & Southern Soul Man | Charleston,SC | 08/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Welsh`s prejudiced, bigoted & hateful comments about the Shag dance and Beach Music were bad enough but attacking the finest, happiest group of people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing is totally untruthful and grossly innacurate. I`m surprised Amazon allowed this hate spew to be published. I`m sure if it was directed at the liberal left, the people of the West Coast or the Northeast and NOT Southern culture, the dance & Southern people,it would have been censored.Even his innaccurate, ridiculous description of the dance leads me to believe he never actually saw it or is blind.The CD is fine, excellent sound quality & a very good representation of the local sound of the Southeast which is Beach Music.There is NOTHING like it ANYWHERE in this country.It`s been a living, breathing entity for 60 years.Thank You!"