At some point I began to be really annoyed with the music that is currently being churned out these days. I was raised around music. My brother is a retired musician. My uncle John L. (who is now 85)--if you put something in his hand he could play it(before arthritis took it away).
My Mama always said that if it had a string on it John L. could play it. He is the real deal...the music is in him. The music was in my Mama too. She, Uncle John L. and my brother all "played by ear." I started piano lessons when I was in grammar school. I still play, but I in no way have the ear that they do.
That said, I grew up around music of all kinds, and I love music of all kinds...some of course more than others.
But I said all that to say this. Am I the only one who doesn't get it? Usher was on American Idol and I patiently listened to him. I listened with an open mind. Then David (who is an awesome drummer by the way) and I just looked at each other in wonder. What is all the hoopla about?
I don't get Akon. I don't get Avril Lavigne. I don't get Christina Aguilera--who by the way has an awesome voice.
I don't get Brittany Spears. Lady GaGa makes me break out in hives. I can't tell you one single song of Taylor Swift's. I checked out the top 10 songs of 09 and I didn't know a single one of them...well after all I did stop listening to the radio.
I think that Kelly Clarkson has an amazing voice...she had one of the top ten songs of 09--"My Life Would Suck Without You." Are you kidding me?
I have also tried to listen to a little rap...but it makes me close to apoplexy.
I have always loved country music, I could go on and on about Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Charlie Rich, Rodney Crowel, and Travis Tritt, who are just a few of my favorites...but I have lost track of almost all of the newer artists...I looked at the list of 2010's top songs--and I didn't know a single one. The only new country artists that even begin to pique my interest is Lady Antebellum...I really like "I Need You Now."
Okay, I'm done with my little rant...I think I've figured it out...I'm living in the past...and Emmylou is singing... I would rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham
I would hold my life in his saving grace.
I would walk all the way from Boulder to Birmingham
If I thought I could see, I could see your face.
4 comments:
I agree, Emmy Lou is absolutely another one of my favorites (Leaving Louisana in the Broad Daylight and her Angel Band CD). Thank goodness for satellite radio. I rotate between 40's, 50's, the blues and occasionally 60's and 70's. I have such fantastic memories of your house, your living room, your piano and your beautiful voice.
I don't think I've watched the Grammys in ten years or more. I don't know the songs, the bands, and like you, I don't get it.
It is absolutely the same here in Britain. I've tried to listening to new stuff and never have the melody stuck in my head all day like I used to. Whether it be background music to movies, TV progs, or TV ads its the old stuff we hear played time and again. My questions is... how many of today's songs are memorable enough to be remembered and played in 10 - 50 years from now?
I can fully relate to what you write about in this post. I also prefer to do things in silence as the music on the radio , most of the time, annoys me.
It's nice to learn about your musical family, and about you as a pianist. You sure do know what good music is.
Post a Comment