Music has the power to soothe the savage breast (or beast depending on your version of things and bewbie fixation). Anthems of our time have called us to war, heralded peace; raised supplications to the higher powers, paid homage to our homeland during the Olympics, broken our hearts, mended our hearts, engaged us and/or enraged us. But, in this day and age of manufactured boy and girl bands, X-factor, American Idol and more...has music lost its power to frame and portray an age, an event?
I cannot listen to Chicago's 'Prologue/Someday' without seeing pictures of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Chicago in my head. I cannot listen to Jimi Hendrix's version of 'The Star Spangled Banner' without envisioning Woodstock. Bowie's 'Major Tom', without remember how my father got me out of bed in the middle of the night to watch the live coverage of Apollo 13, when none of us knew how it might end. Even Benny Goodman's 'Sing, Sing, Sing' evokes sepia toned mental images of Gene Krupa, Goodman's clarinet, and well heeled New York Society types being shocked and delighted by this modern 'jazz' in the hallowed chamber: Carnegie Hall.
So I ask, in this jaded day and age, is unique, meaningful, inspiring music even being made? Recently two videos have come to my attention which give me a chuckle and make me wonder just where some of the magic in popular music has gone:
And, without offering my own opinion on this question, I ask YOU...
can music still reinvent, reinvigorate, and revive us?
just askin'
People still write great music. People still listen to it, provided they can find it. It's the music business that is failing to bring great music to the people.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the music bizz, CDs don't sell, however, according to CD baby and DiskMakers There are LOTS of independent CDs.
There is nothing wrong with music. The popular perception of music is shaped by the industry and a dying industry leave a poor impression of music.