No Nancy Willson fans, I presume?
Another Music Direct Catalog observation
I didn't want to hijack an existing thread about the current catalog's Joni cover so I started this one.
You know, I was thinking about this after I received my catalog and how burned out I was on "boomer music". I know as a Gen Xer, I've been saturated by Boomer culture since I came of age in the 80's, and my appreciation for these artists has waned in part because of their saturation in audiophile circles.
Yes, the MD catalog does pay lip service to contemporary artists, but its adherence to a musical paradigm that peaked 45 years ago or so is symptomatic of the undeniable waning of "hi-fi" as a hobby.
You know, I was thinking about this after I received my catalog and how burned out I was on "boomer music". I know as a Gen Xer, I've been saturated by Boomer culture since I came of age in the 80's, and my appreciation for these artists has waned in part because of their saturation in audiophile circles.
Yes, the MD catalog does pay lip service to contemporary artists, but its adherence to a musical paradigm that peaked 45 years ago or so is symptomatic of the undeniable waning of "hi-fi" as a hobby.
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Those who bemoan the influence of the historically relevant genius musicians of the past, although obviously entitled to their opinions, should dig a little deeper than a Rolling Stone list...that’s sort of like basing musical relevance opinions on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Talk to musicians. Joni at the peak of her powers (or at any time really) produced brilliant and innovative stuff, but many great artists were below the popular music radar, and that’s still the case. Little Feat anyone? They were revered by the musicians of their day including Led Zep and everybody else with taste...no Hall of Fame for those guys...Many know about the tragic early demise of Jeff Buckley but few remember his brilliant dad Tim. Oh well. Jazz, interestingly, has current utterly astonishing musicians (Vijay Iyer, Craig Taborn, Brad Mehldau, Patricia Barber...on and on) making some great stuff, and that sells at a level lower than children’s recordings. Get out to the small venue clubs and support the "new kids" in the singer songwriter world...Anais Mitchell, although she likely will curtail her solo gigs due to the astonishing Broadway success of her play, "Hadestown," is astonishing (never heard of her? There ya go)...I worked with her in various venues over decades, as well as with countless other "unpopular music business" talented younger people...they’re out there, you just have to get off yer butt and support ’em. |
Amen, Wolf. In the singer/songwriter genre, there are contemporary artists as great as have ever lived, imo. You’ll never hear them on the radio or see them on TV (Letterman and The Larry Sanders Show often did, though), and certainly not on Awards shows. With one notable exception: the Americana Music Association Annual Honor Show held in The Ryman Auditorium. At that show you will see and hear the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, T Bone Burnette, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale (often the host), Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Richard Thompson, Levon Helm (after his passing, there was a great tribute to him, an assembled All-Star ensemble performing a great version of "The Weight"), Buddy Guy, Rosanne Cash, Irma Thomas, John Prine, Steve Earle, John Fogerty, Billy Bob Thornton, Loretta Lynn, Elvis Costello, Jason Isbell, Joe Henry, Maria Muldaur, Mavis Staples, Rhiannon Gibbons, Van Morrison, Dr. John, Gregg Allman, and hundreds more, even Robert freakin’ Plant! Most of the above are pretty long-in-the-tooth, but that’s the reality: It takes some livin’ to get really, really good. |
Oregonpappa, what is wrong with Ella or Sarah? Winnardt, just pick up any Beach Boys disc. Mahler123, definitely but Brahms and Shostakovitch do it for me and Paulburnett what is wrong with the Cribs, Arctic Monkey or Modest Mouse. As for Joni Mitchell her music stands as her only testament. I melted over Blue when I was a kid. However her life was a total train wreck and I would never hold her out as an example to my girls. I wish her the best in her final days. Anybody besides me like Kate Bush? Audiophilia and music are two separate enterprises that to some extent influence each other. An Audiophile won't listen to anything that does not sound good and a lot of the good sounding stuff is trivial at best. Music lovers will listen to anything they consider to be good music. Of course in many of us these overlap. Where am I in this...Last night I listened to an original pressing of Moby Grape's first album (yes, with the finger) at 95 dB through 800 watt/ch towering ESLs and four 200 lb sub woofers each powered by 2000 watts. Rock and Roll:) |
mijostyn ...
Nothing at all. They are two of my favorites. I just wanted to post some artists that perhaps some folks haven't heard of before. Maybe pick up a couple of converts or two. :-) Frank |
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