Ghosthouse, no offense taken at all. I posted that MJ clip only as an example of, as you pointed out, the wide range of Stevens’ creds. I don’t exactly run out and buy MJ records (or listen to his music), but do appreciate his talent....within the pop music world. Like you and O-10, "not my bag". But, I always appreciate a very high level of craft; and, stereotypes and all, there is a high level of craft in that video from a (pop) production standpoint and even from a playing standpoint....again, within that genre. Speaking of unintended comparison/contrast: that MJ clip makes, in my mind, a good contrast between it and the recently posted Billy Ocean clip which some might put in the same general category of pop music. Moreover, I think it serves to explain what I mean with these comments. Like the style or not, from an objective point of view the band in that video rocks, MJ dances and sings his a-- off, and all stereotypes aside, Stevens shows he can thrash as well a anybody. The Billy Ocean tune, for me, has a mediocre disco beat, is a lame tune, and the featured saxophone playing sucks. This makes the MJ clip good and the BO clip bad. I like all genres as long as core musical values are high. Would I choose to listen to the MJ clip instead of countless other things? Of course not. Does appreciating what it does do right inform my appreciation of music in general? I believe so. Probably the only area in life where I am not becoming more and more conservative. Regards.
