"I’m trying very very hard not to be as out-of-touch and bitchy as I feel. What are the odds that will go well?" -- let's start with the fact that I'm old enough to be your biological father.
<word elided because even with the happy smiling emojis it will likely be viewed as inappropriate.> (<-- that's still supposed to be funny ... )
I like Billie Eilish. She has a smokey, "torch song" sense to her voice that is even older than I am. I would lose my shit if she ever did "Begin The Beguine" (which is WAY older than I am.)
Per electronic instruments: You know, people probably damned the harpsichord because it wasn't a real instrument. (A real instrument is one where the strings are plucked by human fingers.) And don't get me started on that "piano" shit ... (almost as bad as that "printing press" thing.)
Stefani Germanotta, known professionally as "Lady Gaga", is an exceptional pianist and composer. I never cared for the "clown suits and circus acts" (my term), but there was scarcely ever any denying her talent. Seeing the music video of "Edge of Glory" vs her almost solo performances at the keyboard is pretty amazing. (And the music video, which I really like, includes Clarence Clemens from the E Street Band (more in a moment). But the difference between triumph and barely holding it together is stunning.)
If everybody sounded like Beethoven, Beethoven would sound like shit. And I cannot abide Bartok.
That said, I still mostly listen to Springsteen, to instrumentals that come with no movie, to new folk, and a fair piece of metal. (Remind me some time, when you've space for 3 hours of stupefaction, and I'll send you the link to the "soundtrack" I assembled for my novel.)
Thank you for the Britney Spears comment! I have never, ever, ever understood how she was the superstar and Christina Aguilera was looked at as the step down. Only one of them can sing, and it's not Britney. And not many singers, past or present, have the range of Christina.
I've never believed in award shows. Art isn't a competition. There's no way to objectively measure whether/if my writing is better than yours ('Course, if there was, I'd kick your ass. I kid....) Art is...art, something to be perceived by each individual based on their perspective and experiences. Who's to say that Lady Gaga is better than Metallica or that Country is better than Swedish Death Metal? We all have our own criteria and preferences, and they're all equally valid.
Not that we shouldn't celebrate excellence, of course, but to pick "winners" seems counterproductive. It raises the question of why we create- to "win," or to make something that speaks to the world? I don't need a gold statue on my mantle to tell me I'm a good writer. 'Course, if I wanted to commit a murder, a gold statue might come in handy....
What makes award shows even worse is the competition to see who can show the most skin, the most cleavage, or show up in the most outrageous outfit. It's a sideshow that has nothing to do with art, unless that "art" happens to involves fluffing the egos of the rich and horribly insecure.
"I’m trying very very hard not to be as out-of-touch and bitchy as I feel. What are the odds that will go well?" -- let's start with the fact that I'm old enough to be your biological father.
<word elided because even with the happy smiling emojis it will likely be viewed as inappropriate.> (<-- that's still supposed to be funny ... )
I like Billie Eilish. She has a smokey, "torch song" sense to her voice that is even older than I am. I would lose my shit if she ever did "Begin The Beguine" (which is WAY older than I am.)
Per electronic instruments: You know, people probably damned the harpsichord because it wasn't a real instrument. (A real instrument is one where the strings are plucked by human fingers.) And don't get me started on that "piano" shit ... (almost as bad as that "printing press" thing.)
Stefani Germanotta, known professionally as "Lady Gaga", is an exceptional pianist and composer. I never cared for the "clown suits and circus acts" (my term), but there was scarcely ever any denying her talent. Seeing the music video of "Edge of Glory" vs her almost solo performances at the keyboard is pretty amazing. (And the music video, which I really like, includes Clarence Clemens from the E Street Band (more in a moment). But the difference between triumph and barely holding it together is stunning.)
I can't get into rap, and I can't get into bluegrass. But did you know there is a synthesis of the two? (Gangstagrass.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAffMSpW8KMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAffMSpW8KM
If everybody sounded like Beethoven, Beethoven would sound like shit. And I cannot abide Bartok.
That said, I still mostly listen to Springsteen, to instrumentals that come with no movie, to new folk, and a fair piece of metal. (Remind me some time, when you've space for 3 hours of stupefaction, and I'll send you the link to the "soundtrack" I assembled for my novel.)
Thank you for the Britney Spears comment! I have never, ever, ever understood how she was the superstar and Christina Aguilera was looked at as the step down. Only one of them can sing, and it's not Britney. And not many singers, past or present, have the range of Christina.
I've never believed in award shows. Art isn't a competition. There's no way to objectively measure whether/if my writing is better than yours ('Course, if there was, I'd kick your ass. I kid....) Art is...art, something to be perceived by each individual based on their perspective and experiences. Who's to say that Lady Gaga is better than Metallica or that Country is better than Swedish Death Metal? We all have our own criteria and preferences, and they're all equally valid.
Not that we shouldn't celebrate excellence, of course, but to pick "winners" seems counterproductive. It raises the question of why we create- to "win," or to make something that speaks to the world? I don't need a gold statue on my mantle to tell me I'm a good writer. 'Course, if I wanted to commit a murder, a gold statue might come in handy....
What makes award shows even worse is the competition to see who can show the most skin, the most cleavage, or show up in the most outrageous outfit. It's a sideshow that has nothing to do with art, unless that "art" happens to involves fluffing the egos of the rich and horribly insecure.
Wildly funny and spot- on as always! I’m 63 and simply forgot to watch the Grammys😬 At least I know who Jon? John? Batiste is!