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Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz

Date: Aug 11 2008

Themes: History

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

In recent years, popular music has been more and more about playing styles that were popular in the past with a new twist. While reliving the past can be boring or unhealthy for current music, some performers have so much talent that it doesn’t matter that they aren’t inventing a whole new kind of music. Lenny Kravitz is one artist whose real strength is his craft.

For almost two decades, Lenny Kravitz has made music inspired by rock ‘n’ roll classics. But it always sounds current and new. His newest album, It’s Time for a Love Revolution, is no different. Listen to Jason and Marni talk about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jason

Jason

Marni

Marni

Jason:  So there’s a trick to being in a retro band…

Marni:  OK.

Jason:  ...and the trick, I think, is to sound, like, current and retro at the same time and I think Lenny Kravitz pulls that off.

Marni:  Oh, OK. I was like, “Who does that?” Case in point.

Jason:  Yeah, he sounds, you know, he always sounds ‘70s rock. But when you’re hearing it in 1989, it still sounds current. In 2008 it still sounds current.

Marni:  That’s true.

Jason:  Yeah, I mean, he just released a new album, his first album in four years, and I was worried he might be trying to do some fancy nonsense. I just didn’t trust that it would still rock but it’s still just like his other stuff. Like, it rocks and he still looks cool.

Marni:  He looks great. He definitely looks great. I remember being really into him early in his career and actually I saw him open up for Tom Petty and it was cool.

Jason:  He pulls off being retro without being an anachronism.

Marni:  So what is it? What does he have? What’s the…it’s not like shtick. That’s just his thing. It’s just very genuine.

Jason:  You’re right. You’re right. I think it is just very genuine. I think he has a real appreciation for music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, older funk bands, Prince, stuff like that…

Marni:  Definitely. It’s very evident.

Jason:  ...The Who. But I think it’s truly genuine. You’re right. I don’t think he’s posturing, he just is fashionable and cool.

Marni:  Well, he plays all of his instruments on his recordings. That’s amazing. That’s really impressive.

 

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Discussion

Jason was happy to find that Lenny Kravitz hasn’t changed his style on his new album. He likes Lenny’s take on ‘70s rock. He also likes the way he dresses.

Marni agrees that Kravitz looks and sounds cool. She saw him a long time ago and thought he was good because he seemed to really appreciate the artists he sounds like. She thinks his sound really represents who he is. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a good enough musician that, like Prince, he plays every instrument on his recordings.

Who’s your favorite classic rock artist? Can you think of anyone current who is influenced by him or her?

 

Comments

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mimixoxo

mimixoxo

Japan

i love Lenny Kravitz. i have all of his albums ♪ my favorite one is 2nd album!!

06:45 AM Feb 12 2010 |

Ca_Brazil

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

I just really enjoy to listen to good songs, doesnt matter what kind is, i like to listen to some lenny kravitz songs, some of them it sounds romantic, I like U2, incubus, beatles…

11:59 PM Jun 18 2009 |

ahmadabo3alm

Egypt

I LOVE ROCK!!

 

12:26 PM Dec 24 2008 |

VAUGS

VAUGS

Indonesia

I'm sorry i cant understand what this is means about because i cant speak english fluently… any body can help me to prove my english please.. u can call me private at

i'm really need to increase my english to get in an international company…

09:34 AM Nov 27 2008 |

miffoo

miffoo

Slovakia

I like rock music, but I don't like Lenny Kravitz only two or three his songs. I like GnR, Linkin Park, REM, Kelly Clarkson,  

08:43 PM Nov 26 2008 |

alkaser_22

United States

hiii

02:04 AM Nov 20 2008 |

free.soul

Morocco

stillness of heart is one of the most fascinating songs of this great singer.
I mostly like listening to soft music.

02:01 AM Nov 14 2008 |

shweyee

Myanmar

Innocenti dont know

10:59 AM Nov 07 2008 |

Shen Deng Zhou

China

Hi,

09:20 AM Aug 30 2008 |

rene arriaga

Honduras

i like lenny kravits and i like all the bands that inspired him. my favorite song is are you gonna go my way. you should try it guys.

07:08 AM Aug 27 2008 |

tataone

China

young people in china don't know neither real rock nor hip-hop

12:51 PM Aug 15 2008 |

dofkele15

dofkele15

Lithuania

Oh I like Lenny Kravitz. He is one of my favorite singers. His songs is full of feelings…

04:41 PM Aug 13 2008 |

eemerald

eemerald

Turkey

ı like rock music for its sounds and lyrics…

04:29 PM Aug 13 2008 |

195854255

195854255

United States

I like back street boys though they are kinda old.

03:34 AM Aug 12 2008 |

HermioneXHaibara

Saudi Arabia

most people prefer rock(and i'm one of them)but POP is more popular than rock i guess,didn't you notice it?

specially for teenagers(for example:the jonas brothers,ashley tisdale,miley cyrus and much more….)

 And about the lesson can anyone explain what does Marni mean when she said: "it’s not like shtick. That’s just his thing" ??!!!???

please reply!!^^"

03:55 PM Aug 11 2008 |

leono

leono

Chile

young people mostly prefer hiphop and rock which lies in metal and punk, pop hardly survives in this firece feild .

That's true

02:59 AM Aug 11 2008 |

magic1015

magic1015

China

first in the new age , i personally think POP is dead !!

young people mostly prefer hiphop and rock which lies in metal and punk, pop hardly survives in this firece feild .well ,linkinpark 's shifting is a good case in point , their songs in early ablums r full of angers and rahter rebellious ,however ,they become so soft in the MtM…

the band like Limp Bizkit has no change ,they r still energetic and point their middle finger at U ! lol

02:34 AM Aug 11 2008 |

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