JSngry

Oh good! More 60s rock!

There's going to be a community of people who take music "seriously". Of course there will be. There always has been. But it's always been a minority of varying size. And I see the size of that community shrinking today, and have no reason to believe that it won't continue to shrink into the forseeable future. You gotta remember that tking music "seriously" ahs always been a function of devoting time to serious, thoughtful, dedicated listening. Today's lifestyle(s) and fromats of preference are not aimed towards that type of activity. I would indeed be an "old fart" if I bemoaned this as a sign of societal decay or some such. But I don't know that it is. A part of me thinks that it's actually healthy to use music as a lifestyle enhancement tool w/o getting too caught up in the specifics of it all. But I'd be a fool not to recognize a change when I see it and pretend that any day now things are going to be the way they once were. They're not. Look - what do most "serious" music fans these days in these parts look forward to? Reissues. And that boom is all but over. The European PD labels might be hastening the end, but they're also positioning themselves to be repositors by default. If you're able to find a Lucky Thompson side on any other type of label in 15-20 years, it'll be a miracle. Read the article above - how are the stores profiled staying afloat? Older music for older customers. How is David's friend's store getting over? Selling vinyl. When the time comes for today's digital youth to get nostalgic, do you really think they're going to be interested in comprehensive, well-annotated collections? I don't think so. They'll do what they've been doing - looking for digital files to play on the device of their choice. Some changes are temporary, some are permanent. This one is permanent, brought about by fundamental changes in lifestyle and technology. That might seem like the musings of an "old fart", but I prefer to think that I'm merely seeing things as they are. It's a helluva lot easier not to get crushed by the avalance if you see the rocks coming at you.

Not gonna happen, not by "the industry" anyway. Think about it - when was the last time that any business looked at the marketplace and said, "Here's a demographic that is shrinking, has been shrinking, and in all likelihood will continue to shrink. Let's put an emphasis on them"?

This whole discussion is predicated on the notion that music "matters" to most people. I say that, right now, it doesn't. For most people, it's little, if anything more, than a disposable lifestyle accessory. Simple as that. The number of people who really "care" continues to shrink. Yes, it's always been that way, but not to the extent that it is now. Disposability and portabilty are the order of the day, and those are qualities which do not engender attachment at any level beyond the superficial. The culture has changed, and irrevocably so, I think. The handwriting's not just on the wall anymore. It's everydamnwhere you look. Maybe things will change, but I'm not holding my breath.

ZZ Top Tom Zé Zasu Pitts

Depressingly easy to do, isn't it...

The Cat In The Hat Harry "The Hat" Walker Cap Anson

No, it's because Jim hasn't played the tune in years, was almost ready for bed when he read the original question, half-assed remembered the tune when he went to the piano, and played the song in the wrong key.

LuAnn Platter Pat Luby The Doobie Brothers

I've paid "more than ususal" for some Japanese Monday Michiru items. Paid close to $50.00 for one. Worth every penny (and them some), but I gotta confess, that was the most thoughtful click I've ever made.

Wolf Bliter Jack the Bear Willie "The Lion" Smith

Do I ever not have any, that's the question!

Imagining Will Farrell pulling off is something I would want to avoid at all costs.

The King Sisters Queen Prince

Lawn mowing is for men what bubble baths are for women.

No matter - that Propellerheads cut is the shit. And one guy played all the instruments and did the rap, so no room for bitching on his part there!

John should have still been proud of his performance. It was quite a good one. Questyionable production ethics aside (now that's been a rare problem over the years ), if I hadn't known that that performance wasn't planned that way from the git-go, I'd never have guessed it. I think it's very good "as is" on the record. The rappers seem to quite often be getting their phraseological meter from Patton, so it's got that kind of synergy, which is a good one, because the band is swinging like a mofo. Plus, like I said, the lyrics are relevant to the song. Hard to ask for more than that from this type of thing, no matter how it came to be put together. It's been said that two things you never want to see being made are sausage and laws. To that list, I might add pop records.

Wish he'd make another "serious in all styles" side like Black Hope, but the time has probably passed. Too bad. Still a great player though. That sound alone is enough to make me listen.

Arte Johnson Art Linkletter The Flying Nun

If my grandmother had wheels, her casket would be drivable.

Pulled this one out last night, and frankly, I don't understand the vehement reaction against Def & Kweli. They sound all right to me. Far worse a breach of taste is The Roots bluster on Caravan, which seems like so much name/cultural connection dropping w/little interest in doing anything at all related to the original song (something that I definitely can't say about the Black Star lyrics, which seem organic - no pun intended - to the song). Oh well, different strokes and all that.... The real killer on the disc for me, and one that I had completely forgotten about, is the version of Star Crossed Lovers by Propellerheads w/Martha Wainwright. My god what a fresh sounding cut that is. The use of the melody is incorporated in a thoroughly ingenious manner, as a background figure to the vocal hook. It works, and it works well. The lyrics are gentle yet firm, and the whole thing grooves like a mofo. Don't really know Propellerheads (informed comments welcome), but if this cut is representative of their overall output, I've been missing out.

Miss Peach Mel Lazarus Pigboy Crabshaw

Yep.

When learning tunes like this, it's often best to start with the original (or a very early) version. The tune was new (maybe having been seen for the first time in the studio, or a few days before), so the players were focused on "the basics". Merritt's bass line is a good case in point - if he had been playing this tune for a while, he'd no doubt have been playing a more "open" bass line. As it is, he's dead on the changes, often outlining triads, or roots, or roots and fifts. Basic bass line stuff. Helluva good way to learn the changes, and not just for this tune.

Most people use music as little more than a lifestyle accessory. That's the way of the world.