Yelena, Than you for your kind words. I was trying to capture the frustration of following a music that is evolving so quickly that a greater and greater portion of it arrives half-baked and unrealized. I did have the occasion to be labeled as "old-fashioned" by a reader who took exception to my end-of-the-year-list. But, so be it. I only know what I know.
In my eyes, being old-fashioned, or conservative, means having a firm set of beliefs that have been tested by time and personal experiences. It is rather a positive asset for a writer / critic. The opinions of those who are grounded in the wealth of their experiences and life lessons is more trustworthy than opinions of the "crowd pleasers' who prefer to sway with the current trends.
An admirable first foray into the philosophical underpinnings of listening to music. Reminds me of erstwhile philosophical discussions in the early days. As an example, Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky album is worth post-modern consideration in itself, for the earnest and angst-ridden lyrics, the exquisite lap steel guitar of the late David Lindley, and that Chevy door closing on "The Late Show." But it is ever more existentially satisfying to remember the emotions it brought up within me when I listened to the album in my dorm room at Hendrix. Would you concur?
Without question. LFTS had a perfection that For Everyman and The Pretender lacked. Browne and Lindsey reached a critical mass that was hinted at on These Days from FE. I could not imagine my adolescence without Jackson Brown. Bud, thank you for your kind words. I hope this note finds you well.
Thank you for such a smart article, it surely evokes many thoughts. For example, "better-informed listeners" is truly a big problem in the modern world where everything is becoming more and more compartmentalized and ruled by mostly ignorant folk. Lack of knowledge follows with the bad taste in art, music in particular. But so few nowadays care to learn and dig deep. Many musicians only care how to "make it" by trying to stick out from the crowd by doing something scandalous instead of creating quality music. But, I guess, they can't create quality music, so they say that they are breaking new ground supported by all that crap "new genres." And forward looking critics choose to praise them fearing that they would be labeled "old-fashioned" if they just speak their minds. And the "crowd" is obliged to be fair to these pseudo novators considering that they must have a right to sit on a throne of acceptance and appreciation. I heard from one of the music critic that he never listens for pleasure to the majority of the music he reviews and even praises. Pretty sad, I say.
Yelena, Than you for your kind words. I was trying to capture the frustration of following a music that is evolving so quickly that a greater and greater portion of it arrives half-baked and unrealized. I did have the occasion to be labeled as "old-fashioned" by a reader who took exception to my end-of-the-year-list. But, so be it. I only know what I know.
In my eyes, being old-fashioned, or conservative, means having a firm set of beliefs that have been tested by time and personal experiences. It is rather a positive asset for a writer / critic. The opinions of those who are grounded in the wealth of their experiences and life lessons is more trustworthy than opinions of the "crowd pleasers' who prefer to sway with the current trends.
An admirable first foray into the philosophical underpinnings of listening to music. Reminds me of erstwhile philosophical discussions in the early days. As an example, Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky album is worth post-modern consideration in itself, for the earnest and angst-ridden lyrics, the exquisite lap steel guitar of the late David Lindley, and that Chevy door closing on "The Late Show." But it is ever more existentially satisfying to remember the emotions it brought up within me when I listened to the album in my dorm room at Hendrix. Would you concur?
Without question. LFTS had a perfection that For Everyman and The Pretender lacked. Browne and Lindsey reached a critical mass that was hinted at on These Days from FE. I could not imagine my adolescence without Jackson Brown. Bud, thank you for your kind words. I hope this note finds you well.
Thank you for such a smart article, it surely evokes many thoughts. For example, "better-informed listeners" is truly a big problem in the modern world where everything is becoming more and more compartmentalized and ruled by mostly ignorant folk. Lack of knowledge follows with the bad taste in art, music in particular. But so few nowadays care to learn and dig deep. Many musicians only care how to "make it" by trying to stick out from the crowd by doing something scandalous instead of creating quality music. But, I guess, they can't create quality music, so they say that they are breaking new ground supported by all that crap "new genres." And forward looking critics choose to praise them fearing that they would be labeled "old-fashioned" if they just speak their minds. And the "crowd" is obliged to be fair to these pseudo novators considering that they must have a right to sit on a throne of acceptance and appreciation. I heard from one of the music critic that he never listens for pleasure to the majority of the music he reviews and even praises. Pretty sad, I say.