Search options (Page 106 of 159)

I recall hearing the Jethro Tull album "Stand Up" at a buddy's house when I was around 12 years old. It belonged to his older brother, and I had just started dabbling with the guitar a few years earlier. The quality of the music stood out against what was playing on AM radio in those days, and ever since I've never looked to the radio to tell me what was good music. What I've heard from most of the Chordie family blows way the tripe on the pop music stations. The radio is something I turn on for news and weather, but never for music.

Thanks, Jandle ...

I used to perform and got quite a kick out of it. As time went by, I lost interest because I was no longer playing for myself, but for the approval of others. The applause became disgusting to me, and I was starting to not like myself for ever wanting it in the first place. My music and poetry is mine now, as this poem / song describes. Appreciate your kind words, and please feel free to put music to it if you like.

The majority of humans don't play a musical instrument, and some of us that do don't have a deep understanding of the structure of music itself.

So anything that's called "music" which is created for the masses has to have elements which they can relate to. It can't really be instrumental skill, creative counterpoint, multi-level harmonies, etc. The majority of people understandably wouldn't understand what they are listening to. That leaves a catchy piece of lyric, an easy-to-remember riff of a few notes, an infectious beat, or a theme which tugs at a pre-determined emotion in order to make appealing.

Then we have the making of a "hit" within the pop music industry, which Pink Floyd's song "Have a Cigar" parodies quite well. A producer and a would-be star come up with catchy thing they call a hit. They buy a contract with a radio network to play it ad infinitum, ad nauseum and promote it to the public as the latest hit from whomever. It's almost like an infomercial. This creates recording sales and concert bookings, and the "star" starts to make some money. If they've got some "shtick" to their performance (mostly looks & attitude) they will continue to make sales. It's a marketing ploy at it's base, and it's the image of the performer and their performance becomes the centre-piece, never the actual music. They're rarely called musicians, and usually referred to as "recording artists" ... an honest admission.

So that's the long way of saying, that the vast majority of humans wouldn't know truly good music if it hit them in the face. Personally, if I ever wrote & performed something that became a "hit", I'd be wondering what I did wrong ... seriously!

That's good work, Mojo, and well-performed. You do have a good voice, although we each tend to be our own worse critics. Like Bill says ... let 'er rip, man!

Wayne Rooney scored his 50th goal in an England jersey today, making him the country's all-time leading scorer in international competition. I quit work early today to watch the UEFA match against Switzerland, and am glad I did. If Swiss goalkeeper had got more of his hand on it, the shot likely would have broke his wrist ... Rooney hammered it!

The big change in strategy was when Manager Roy Hodgson took off midfielder Shelvey for forward Harry Kane (who also scored) effectively moving from a 4-5-1- shape to 4-4-2. I hate the single striker formation. It just allows the opposition to "park the bus" defensively, and wait for a break to counter attack. Boring football to watch, and not very effective at creating holes in the opposition's defense.

Louis Van Gaal ... were you watching!?!?

Sounds like a perfect day, NELA ... so glad you could get out. We don't have Crappie, Bluegills, or their sunfish relatives in this part of the world.

However, some of the little curly-tail grubs used for them are also pretty good for trout up here. Our nights are cooling down now (42 last night) so the cooling waters and shorter daylight hours will be triggering the Fall spawning runs of brook trout and brown trout.

No EPL this weekend, while the Europa League play is on, and UEFA Champions league coming this week. Really looking forward to the match between ManU and PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

Great choice ... wow! I haven't heard any Charlie for a looooong time. Forgot how great he was with the "harp".

Another line I've always liked is a bit autobiographical from Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) who is a terrific poet / lyricist:

"A singer for these ageless times, with kitchen prose and gutter rhymes."

Good to know, Rickyjack ... thanks for the update. We sincerely hope he & Dondra return to good health soon ... Chordie isn't the same without the Musicator!

Nicely told sentiment, Easybeat. One of the elements that evolving it's way out of our definition of "work", is the element of productivity.

Of course you've seen the send ups of Jose on SETANTA's "Special 1 TV" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ6YcdWIPhM