The Spike and Marty Show

Blog Response # 1
Question # 1
Well...quite obviously the use of music to convey a sense of cinematic milieu is of paramont importance to both Scorcese and Lee. Both Auteurs have used popular styles of music in the soundtracks of their respective films to set the mood of that particular piece - as well as to facilitate in the construction of its cultural environment in broad cinematic terms.
In ITALIANAMERICAN - Scorcese uses traditional Sicilian folk music over the opening titles as a form of shorthand - telegraphing to the audience the idea that the gist of the film will be in presenting a personalized view of the immigrant experience in America.
In the Spike Lee joint - JOE BED STUY'S BARBERSHOP - we find the director using several differing styles of American music to capture the mood of the piece and set the tone for the film itself. The "one way ride" fate that befalls the title character in the film's opening moments is choreographed by blaring strains of soul music from a prominent New York radio station. Later in the film, Lee uses a style of Black Southern Country Blues to establish the seemingly hopeless and somewhat seedy milieu of the eponymous tonsorial palace, and its downtrodden owner - Zach Homer. And, in order to convey the sense of apparent hopelessness of Zack's quest to run a "clean" establishment - Lee makes ironic use of easy listening or "smooth" Jazz -(which is nothing short of anathema to Jazz purists such as the director's father - Bill Lee).

Question #2
In JOE BED STUY'S BARBERSHOP, Director Spike Lee's film appears to give credence to assertions made by both Houston Baker and Donna Gabaccia (in their respective articles) for the sense of disconnect the southern black diaspora experienced in following job opportunities and relocating to the indutrialized and predominantly white northern cities. With the character of the wife - Ruth Homer - Lee gives voice to the lament of one who remains dissatisfied with inner city life and who yearns to return to the South and get back to her roots. As Baker puts it, Ruth is characterized by: "...her desire to return to the South and to Southern Blues..." Ruth has property back home in Atlanta, and for her, the South is seen as a place not only for a homecoming, but also signals what could be a fresh start for both her and her "stubborn" husband - Zach. And, after becoming the victim of a brutal purse-snatching, The South is seen by Ruth - in Baker's words as: "...a place that will satisfy her own need for space in which to stetch out". It is the extent of Zach's love that he is willing to risk his life by embezzling the numbers money ( and risking the wrath of Mr. Lovejoy) in order to give Ruth what she desires most.