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Some irrefutable truths about rock and roll

1) Robert Johnson invented rock and roll, and is the rightful King of it. Elvis Presley's title should be amended to "Poster Boy of Early Rock and Roll."

2) Jeff Buckley's version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is infinitely better than the Rufus Wainwright version and is the definitive version of the song.

3) The Rolling Stones were and are the most overrated band in the history of rock and roll.

4) If it's too loud you are, indeed, too old.

5) The Stone Roses' self-titled debut is the best debut album ever in the history of ever.

6) John Mayer needs to stop that right now.

7) A good song is a good song, whether it's played on an Audiovox tape deck and a single factory speaker in a 1976 Buick Skylark or a complete Linn Klimax system.

8) A couple of Les Pauls, a Fender Precision bass, and a decent set of drums sound every bit as good as the most disciplined orchestra.

9) There is absolutely nothing wrong with having the occasional urge to crank "Hungry Like the Wolf" from time to time, so long as it doesn't become a habit.

Did I forget anything?

*yes, I realize everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and this is meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
theraiguy
martykl
3,578 posts
 
An almost perfect post, I'd only change 2 words:

I'd insert "odd opinions" for "irrefutable truths".

Not necessarily "wrongheaded", just odd.

Marty

PS Johnson played the blues. He clearly inspired many of the early rockers who followed. Who was really first? Many say Louis Jordan's big band. I'd call that a stretch. The earliest recording that I'd call rock n roll would be Gatemouth Brown's Peacock recordings from 1951-1955 (ish). Just my take.
garebear
1,149 posts
 
How about - "" there is ( was ) nothing like a Grateful Dead Concert ''..... just my opinion
brauser
525 posts
 
The 'irrefutable truth' is that everything associated with Rock and Roll is over rated. Classical music may not be everyone's 'cup of tea', but compared to Rock and Roll it's in a different stratosphere. The master composers had more creativity and excellence to share on a bad day then the best R&R artists have in a lifetime. A good thread for AudioGon might be 'where is the line drawn between music and noise?'. I have to admit that sometimes I like to hear noise from my 'reference system'. I just hope I have the courage to admit to what it really is!!
2chnlben
595 posts
 
Refute this: Your thread is wide of the mark!
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Brauser,

I understand your point, but that's a pretty narrow view of art (and life). Rock is a minimalist art form and, as such, it's easy to dismiss as simplistic. Particularly when you compare it to the structural complexity of most (Western) classical music. However, simplicity often has its own power.

I'm not gonna argue that Chuck Berry achieved more than Mozart. Merely that -IMHO-it's kind of misguided to compare the two. Some may regard Joel Robluchon or Thomas Keller (or fill in the blank) as the greatest chef in the world. There's no arguing the creativity and mastery of technique that these guys posess, but that doesn't diminish the appeal of a perfect pizza.

Marty
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