Finally...My Big Metal Rooster Review
The Bi Polar Bear
Sonic Landscapes From The Heartland
This album is for any fan of music that craves young projects. For those
people that write off this band as the work of a novice outfit, that group of
people that are without a doubt elitists in the community and supported by the
only intention of being seen at a show, these cats might not be your thing just
yet. They are young and growth is what is constantly coming to my mind when
spinning their recently released disc. This recording is under produced and it
works. It is my opinion that this band is trying to get their live feel across
in the studio. There is a very good probability that this band will be making
it to a Midwestern town near you in the future and the recording most likely
gives a good representation of what you should expect live. I am speaking a
little bit uneducated about this considering the fact that I have yet to see
them perform on stage.
However, this is alternative music at her core. They might also be considered
improvisational rock, jamband, progressive, etc…These are all labels that are
easily crushed with the help of your own ears. Big Metal Rooster has the
equation down to a science, and it is always refreshing to get the younger
material as it is coming out. This is everything that a live band should try
to get across in their early studio careers: strong instrumental phrases,
inventive lyrics, a genuine focus on vocal harmonies, clean guitar work, solid
bass lines, and a real sense of communication between the players. I would also
like to add at this point that this group has one of the more talented
drummer/singer combinations in the genre today. The duality of a drummer that
can belt out vocal exercises always gets me in the good spot.
This recording is one big stream of musical consciousness. The communication
is truly there. If the intention of this recording is to get their live
message across then the attempt has been consummated. Sure, this is a series
of songs that will probably see very little radio play outside of the college
market, but that is exactly what makes these kinds of projects gems. A large
part of the allure with Big Metal Rooster is that you won't have this material
shoved down your throat. You need to go on an exploration to find this type of
stuff. The word gets around, a musician makes contact with another musician or
hard core fan of this kind of music, and the next thing you know they are
coming to your town. It is the quest in its purest form. It is what all
artists should strive for in their various designs. I estimate that this band
can create a national draw with a minimal machine behind them. I hope to see
this group grow to that level. However, Big Metal Rooster is not for the
average fan of this genre. This recording is something that the experienced
ear will have to put into perspective. I submit that the future looks bright
for these guys, yet this disc should be approached with the frame of reference
that over production can often kill a band that thrives in the live medium.
BMR shines in this respect. This is the perfect recording to put into the
hands of a live venue owner due to the fact that it sounds like you are
listening to an actual show. There aren't any bells or whistles minus the
interesting intro to this studio project. I feel like I am at a club listening
to a band when this is spinning. I can only assume that this was their intent
in regards to the lack of production.
Impressive cuts include an epic twenty minute "Trapeze" penned by guitarist Tom
Fleming and a song that is gaining more and more play in my stereo, "Stella",
which was written by and features drummer Matt Miner on vocals. Both of these
tracks display fertile attempts at songwriting and musicianship. "The
Adventures of Herman the Frog" clocks in at 13:01 and draws upon the childhood
of Matt Miner and his relationship with his father with the help of Fleming in
the compositional department, while "Sweet Surroundings" displays the highly
absorbing writing abilities of Fleming and bassist Derek Hein. The entire
scheme of this effort is accented by the talents of acoustic guitarist Luke
Henry
Extremely accessible - which is hard to say in this growing genre - Big Metal
Rooster has everything that it takes to be a regional and (ultimately) national
draw. Not unlike some of the more prominent bands in this community, BMR
provides a studio interpretation of what they hope to bring to the stage every
night. They goof, artfully carouse, and successfully display stirring realism
and technical ability throughout these six songs. Total playing time is 73:23
and you really can't ask for a better price tag on such a newly fledged
project. This cd is best played with the understood notion that these guys are
trying to get a name out there for the club circuit.
The future looks luminous for these four guys. I personally cannot wait to
welcome them to Chicago. http://www.bigmetalrooster.com
-Robert Champion
--------------------------------------------------------------
Phish...They'll scare the shit back into you.
--------------------------------------------------------------
mondaysblack
"The Bi Polar Bear" <captnper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040126210949...@mb-m11.aol.com...
HoldTHail
>jesus christ
So he liked it?
mondaysblack
blah blah blah blah blah..
not sure?
gotta go purchase an attention span now,
carrie
"HoldTHail" <hold...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040126230303...@mb-m19.aol.com...
johhnyBfunk
news:0DlRb.464$h86.2...@monger.newsread.com:
i don't know i thought he did a good job reviewing a bit long
winded but good.
mondaysblack
i think that is what i was trying to say..
whatever
"johhnyBfunk" <phis...@nospam.mail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns947CF023E4D28ph...@206.141.193.32...
The Bi Polar Bear
Blah blah blah?
Carrie....I hate to inform you of this because it doesn't always seem this
way...but..THIS IS A FUCKING MUSIC FORUM. Got it? We try really hard to
discuss music that is related to the improvisational genre.
Were you expecting a two sentence "this band rocks. Get the Cd!!"
No..No I couldn't do that....I am too into music to post a review that is so
cheap and lame. I am really sorry that your attention span is so bad but
please...don't insult me by saying blah blah blah. It took an hour and a half
to condense what I originally wrote into that review. I felt it was to the
point and objective.
Now go fuck yourself j/k
The Bi Polar Bear
>> winded but good.
>
thanks...long winded? DO you ever read cd reviews? They are usually longer
than what I wrote.
Did I convince anyone to check it out for themselves? That was the goal.
wayne
news:20040127111826...@mb-m29.aol.com:
> Carrie....I hate to inform you of this because it doesn't always seem
> this way...but..THIS IS A FUCKING MUSIC FORUM. Got it? We try really
> hard to discuss music that is related to the improvisational genre.
wow.
--
PlayiTLeo2 [2:26 PM]: oh rite douchpage sympfony
CaptnPerrywinkle: Some of them need friends
SoccerTroy: I have one, he plays rugby
____________
http://db.etree.org/fakeplasticwayne
The Bi Polar Bear
?
Please explain
Chuck Gregg
> Jesus Christ?
> Blah blah blah?
>
> Carrie....I hate to inform you of this because it doesn't always seem this
> way...but..THIS IS A FUCKING MUSIC FORUM. Got it? We try really hard to
> discuss music that is related to the <<improvisational genre.>>
This is easily the funniest thing I have read on this NG in the last 10
years. The "improvisational genre".....that's rich.
The Bi Polar Bear
>This is easily the funniest thing I have read on this NG in the last 10
>years. The "improvisational genre".....that's rich.
Well what the fuck would you like me to call it? I hate calling these bands
jambands....Big Metal Rooster is a rock band that improvises. How is it
"rich"??
There are many genres of music...This band fits into the improvisational genre.
Let me guess..You are a musical moron?
Chuck Gregg
> >
> >This is easily the funniest thing I have read on this NG in the last 10
> >years. The "improvisational genre".....that's rich.
>
> Well what the fuck would you like me to call it? I hate calling these
bands
> jambands....Big Metal Rooster is a rock band that improvises. How is it
> "rich"??
> There are many genres of music...This band fits into the improvisational
genre.
Miles Davis and I had a good laugh at this post.
The Bi Polar Bear
oh come on dude...I am not calling what they do jazz.
Miles Davis was a jazz musician....
you fucking retard.
The Big D
oh yeah, this is rmp, i keep forgetting.
--
"You're like Justin Timberlake on crack." - Eric - 12/27/03 - Miami, FL
"...and i got my face rite up in his, put my afro real close to him." -
Shmegma dOgmatagram
"Chuck Gregg" <gch...@ZZZqwest.net> wrote in message
news:LWwRb.29$dw4....@news.uswest.net...
The Bi Polar Bear
doing to jazz in my review?
Did you even read the review?
Chuck Gregg
> >Miles Davis and I had a good laugh at this post.
>
> oh come on dude...I am not calling what they do jazz.
>
> Miles Davis was a jazz musician....
You still don't get it, do you?
Perhaps you should consider not assigning an arbitrary label to music.
Miles was a huge proponent of dropping the labels assigned to music from
likes of idiots like yourself (thus, my allusion which you obviously
missed). "Jambands", "Improvisational Genre"? Whatever, man.
The Bi Polar Bear
>
>Perhaps you should consider not assigning an arbitrary label to music.
>Miles was a huge proponent of dropping the labels assigned to music from
>likes of idiots like yourself (thu
I'm an idiot now because I called it improvisational? I worked at a jazz radio
station and a commercial radio statio (WXCD) and we knew when to use the word
jazz and we knew when to call something improvisational...
I am sure that Miles Davis had the best of intentions when he was trying to
quash labels...But what the man was doing was jazz music.
What do you suggest that I call this music? Should I call it hip hop?
You are talking semantics here and your argument is petty. > "Jambands",
"Improvisational Genre"? Whatever, man.
Exactly....What would you sugges thtta I call it? Maybe I can send you some of
my musical projects that I am working on...Maybe you can tell me what to call
it seeing as how you are the expert. You sound like a fucking snob kid.
The Bi Polar Bear
"However, this is alternative music at her core. They might also be considered
improvisational rock, jamband, progressive, etc…These are all labels that are
easily crushed with the help of your own ears."
Now shut the fuck up....
The Bi Polar Bear
Chuck Gregg
> >You still don't get it, do you?
> >
> >Perhaps you should consider not assigning an arbitrary label to music.
> >Miles was a huge proponent of dropping the labels assigned to music from
> >likes of idiots like yourself (thu
>
> I'm an idiot now because I called it improvisational? I worked at a jazz
radio
> station and a commercial radio statio (WXCD) and we knew when to use the
word
> jazz and we knew when to call something improvisational...
No, you're an idiot for missing my reference (having worked at a jazz
station and all...lol!)
> I am sure that Miles Davis had the best of intentions when he was trying
to
> quash labels...But what the man was doing was jazz music.
Ever listen to Bitches Brew? You can label it "Fusion" if you want to, but
the music transcends labels....
> What do you suggest that I call this music? Should I call it hip hop?
"Music", perhaps? Just a suggestion.
>
> You are talking semantics here and your argument is petty. > "Jambands",
> "Improvisational Genre"? Whatever, man.
I am *not* arguing. I am LMAO at your attempt to create musical "buckets".
Frank Zappa is rolling over in his grave right about now.
>
> Exactly....What would you sugges thtta I call it?
Uh, music?
Maybe I can send you some of
> my musical projects that I am working on...Maybe you can tell me what to
call
> it seeing as how you are the expert. You sound like a fucking snob kid.
I am hardly a "kid"...although I miss those days..... If your musical
projects are the almagamation of the various influences I suspect have, I
would be hardly so bold as to suggest a label.
I am the very epitome of a music "snob". But, that should be obvious by
now.
Hope this helps.
Chuck Gregg
> Here is what I said
>
> "However, this is alternative music at her core. They might also be
considered
are
> easily crushed with the help of your own ears."
>
Yet, you managed to label it anyway....which struck my as a bit more than
mildly funny, hence my original message.
The Big D
--
"You're like Justin Timberlake on crack." - Eric - 12/27/03 - Miami, FL
"...and i got my face rite up in his, put my afro real close to him." -
Shmegma dOgmatagram
"The Bi Polar Bear" <captnper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040127123649...@mb-m06.aol.com...
MacDog
news:101d8v5...@corp.supernews.com...
> that's right biatch ;-)
you haven't heard MY opinion yet.. hehehe
The Big D
--
"You're like Justin Timberlake on crack." - Eric - 12/27/03 - Miami, FL
"...and i got my face rite up in his, put my afro real close to him." -
Shmegma dOgmatagram
"MacDog" <david_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bv688s$mnoep$1...@ID-163215.news.uni-berlin.de...
The Bi Polar Bear
>mildly funny, hence my original message.
>
Right...It is an alternative to what is considered commercial music.
Do you even play an instrument? Is there one style that you like to play other
than any other style? Any musician with half a brain would appreciate the
semantics involved here.
You can't talk about music and just call it music....You can't talk to a jazz
snob without knowing the history and roots of jazz...Same goes for hip hop,
country, acid jazz, middle eastern, world, etc..etc...
To just call it music is sophomoric...
I understand that there are bands that do not fit into any of these
labels...Some of the work of Miles and Frank Zappa come to mind yeah....But
Frank had some very specific genres that he was working with. If you can't
pick up on his different eras and styles that he was working with then I pity
you.
You really are grasping at straws with this argument.
Are you going to tell me that FrankZappa didn't play Jazz? Are you goin't to
tell me that he didn't play the blues? Are you going to tell me that he wasn't
a classical composer? Are you going to tell me that it was just music? This
kind of attitude won't fly in the circle of music fans that I hang out with.
If I was talking about Yellow Shark with another Frank Zappa fan and I just
called it "music" they would laugh at me and look for someone else to talk to.
Yellow Shark was an attempt at the classical genre no?
there are some bands that overlap into the myriad of genres that are out there
with music. Your attempt at snobbery does a really bad job at cloaking
uneducated background with what music is all about...To just call it music is
an injustice to what has been laid down over the past 75 years in our culture.
The Bi Polar Bear
>Frank Zappa is rolling over in his grave right about now.
>
Calling it improvisational is not creating a musical bucket. Frank Zappa is
still alive..He has you fooled.
Chuck Gregg
You're arguing with the wrong Dude, then. I do appreciate the stylistic
differences in music. Like our culture, however, music has largely morphed
into a fusion of many styles and genres. To apply a label today (when the
music is clearly not roots material) is like trying to assign a moniker to
my kids' ethnicity. A waste of time, IMO.
So, I have to laugh when someone desparately tries to assign a label to any
contemporary music. I laughed at your expense, you objected and
misinterpreted my reference.
So goes life on USENET.
Chuck Gregg
> >I am *not* arguing. I am LMAO at your attempt to create musical
"buckets".
> >Frank Zappa is rolling over in his grave right about now.
> >
>
> Calling it improvisational is not creating a musical bucket. Frank Zappa
is
> still alive..He has you fooled.
Ah, but calling it the "improvisational genre" is.
I miss Frank dearly... ;-(
The Bi Polar Bear
>contemporary music. I laughed at your expense, you objected and
>misinterpreted my reference
desparately tries to assign a label? Dude...you are more dramatic than Brett.
You laughed because you are ingnorant in regards to what is being discussed.
We laugh at what we don't understand. So I ask you...Can I send you a music
file and you can tell me what genre I am trying to play?
Chuck Gregg
> >So, I have to laugh when someone desparately tries to assign a label to
any
> >contemporary music. I laughed at your expense, you objected and
> >misinterpreted my reference
>
> desparately tries to assign a label? Dude...you are more dramatic than
Brett.
>
> You laughed because you are ingnorant in regards to what is being
discussed.
> We laugh at what we don't understand. So I ask you...Can I send you a
music
> file and you can tell me what genre I am trying to play?
You, of course, can send me music anytime! Of course, if you have been
reading this thread, you know that I refuse to try to find a genre in
contemporary music since I feel the lines are too blurry. So, I don't see
your point here.
The Bi Polar Bear
In no way is calling something improvisational creating a musical bucket. It
is giving reference to what the band does. Why can't you see this man? This
band improvises...There are many groups that improvise. You make it sound like
attaching a label to something is totally evil. God I hate you neo hippies.
The Bi Polar Bear
>reading this thread, you know that I refuse to try to find a genre in
>contemporary music since I feel the lines are too blurry.
The lines really are not that blurry...i think you are making this more
difficult than it really is. We use language to get an idea across. Calling
something improvisational gets that idea across. How can you have such a
problem with that?
So, I don't see
>your point here.
myron
> I am sure that Miles Davis had the best of intentions when he was
> trying to quash labels...But what the man was doing was jazz music.
>
really? dark magus was just jazz, huh? on the corner as well?
--
Brett
"the best songs never get sung
the best laugh never leaves your lungs"
-Jeff Tweedy
myron
> Exactly....What would you sugges thtta I call it?
music. perhaps rock and roll.
myron
> "However, this is alternative music at her core. They might also be
> considered improvisational rock, jamband, progressive, etcƒ ÝThese are
> all labels that are easily crushed with the help of your own ears."
>
you start the sentence by calling it "alternative music". you end the very
same sentence by saying "all labels that are easily crushed". that makes
alot of sense. one might wonder why you are labeling music that is
"crushes" labels.
no, i didn't read the review. i started, but had to stop. it was poorly
written, very unorganized, just an example of very bad music journalism.
you certainly didn't convince me to buy the cd...
myron
> You laughed because you are ingnorant in regards to what is being
> discussed.
>
i thought he laughed at your pathetic labeling in your sophmoric review.
maybe i read it wrong.
Tom
I don't think Chuch would approve.
"myron" <br...@comcast.netREMOVE> wrote in message
news:Xns947D73515940...@63.240.76.16...
Tom
Now "alternative music" has become a noun or a specific label unto itself.
I think Robbie was using the adjective form, as in an alternative to
commercial stuff.
"myron" <br...@comcast.netREMOVE> wrote in message
news:Xns947D758C022B...@63.240.76.16...
> captnper...@aol.com (The Bi Polar Bear) wrote in
> news:20040127123508...@mb-m06.aol.com:
>
> > "However, this is alternative music at her core. They might also be
> > considered improvisational rock, jamband, progressive, etcf İThese are
The Bi Polar Bear
>maybe i read it wrong.
the word is sophomoric son
Why don't you provide us with a cd review then...expert
The Bi Polar Bear
>same sentence by saying "all labels that are easily crushed". that makes
>alot of sense. one might wonder why you are labeling music that is
>"crushes" labels.
>
The word alternative means that it is an alternative to what is being played in
commercial radio. i am not talking about the buzz word "alternative"
>no, i didn't read the review. i started, but had to stop. it was poorly
>written, very unorganized, just an example of very bad music journalism.
>you certainly didn't convince me to buy the cd...
>
You read it...We all know you did. Nobody is convinced. I wasn't trying to
write the be all end all of a cd review...I busted that out in a very short
amount of time. Have you ever been published on jambase or jambands.com? Just
wondering.
The Bi Polar Bear
>commercial stuff.
exactly....thank you.
I am glad that someone on the sidelines of this fucking shit storm is able to
get the message across.
The Big D
where the subject line is the band i'm in...
can we start a new thread entitled "Labeling Music" or something?
--
"You're like Justin Timberlake on crack." - Eric - 12/27/03 - Miami, FL
"...and i got my face rite up in his, put my afro real close to him." -
Shmegma dOgmatagram
"The Bi Polar Bear" <captnper...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040127140324...@mb-m06.aol.com...
myron
> Have you ever been published on jambase or jambands.com? Just
> wondering.
>
nope. i was offered space on those sites, but turned them down. i had no
interest in writing for either of them. before i got back in school, and
was working in music promotions and journalism, they were interested in my
work, but i was not interested in them.
what is your point?
myron
> It is alternative in ever sense of the word
the word is "every"...son.
oh, maybe that was just a typo....
wayne
@corp.supernews.com:
> and i'm really glad that all these negative things are going on in thread
> where the subject line is the band i'm in...
perfect place for this pissing match huh...
oh well...it's rmp, where it's okay to be an asshole, but not okay to leave
something alone
--
PlayiTLeo2 [2:26 PM]: oh rite douchpage sympfony
CaptnPerrywinkle: Some of them need friends
SoccerTroy: I have one, he plays rugby
____________
http://db.etree.org/fakeplasticwayne
wayne
news:Xns947D7B630CC5...@63.240.76.16:
> nope. i was offered space on those sites, but turned them down. i had
> no interest in writing for either of them. before i got back in
> school, and was working in music promotions and journalism, they were
> interested in my work, but i was not interested in them.
i remember reading your interview with karl denson...that was cool shit
myron
216.196.97.131:
> i remember reading your interview with karl denson...that was cool shit
thanks. i did alot of other stuff as well, i just haven't posted much of
it, it is published elsewhere, you know?
i did do a phish article, perhaps since this is a phish newsgroup
<somtimes>, i should post that...
mondaysblack
did i not mention something about gettin an attention span...and another
post after that saying....it wasnt my intention to put down the music...la
la la...yadda yadda yadda, blahblahblah.
nevermind,
carrie(buuurp)news:20040127115834...@mb-m29.aol.com...
> >
> >This is easily the funniest thing I have read on this NG in the last 10
> >years. The "improvisational genre".....that's rich.
>
> Well what the fuck would you like me to call it? I hate calling these
bands
> jambands....Big Metal Rooster is a rock band that improvises. How is it
> "rich"??
> There are many genres of music...This band fits into the improvisational
genre.
>
> Let me guess..You are a musical moron?
mondaysblack
"The Big D" <dere...@hotmailNOSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:101d75h...@corp.supernews.com...
> how did a review of my band end up becoming an arguement thread?
>
> oh yeah, this is rmp, i keep forgetting.
>
> --
> "You're like Justin Timberlake on crack." - Eric - 12/27/03 - Miami, FL
>
> "...and i got my face rite up in his, put my afro real close to him." -
> Shmegma dOgmatagram
>
> news:LWwRb.29$dw4....@news.uswest.net...
> >
> > "The Bi Polar Bear" <captnper...@aol.com> wrote in message
> > news:20040127115834...@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > >
> > > >This is easily the funniest thing I have read on this NG in the last
10
> > > >years. The "improvisational genre".....that's rich.
> > >
> > > Well what the fuck would you like me to call it? I hate calling these
> > bands
> > > jambands....Big Metal Rooster is a rock band that improvises. How is
it
> > > "rich"??
> > > There are many genres of music...This band fits into the
improvisational
> > genre.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
wayne
news:Xns947D859F8FD1...@204.127.199.17:
> thanks. i did alot of other stuff as well, i just haven't posted much of
> it, it is published elsewhere, you know?
i wasn't totally aware of that i guess. i've got your denson interview
saved, it's one of the pieces i show people when i want them to know how
proud i am to be on rmp.
wow, i almost forgot that sometimes i'm proud to be on rmp.
> i did do a phish article, perhaps since this is a phish newsgroup
> <somtimes>, i should post that...
that would be cool
myron
news:Xns947D962...@216.196.97.131:
> i wasn't totally aware of that i guess.
it's cool mang. my point was only that i don't really post alot of the
stuff i've written on here, because it already has its place somewhere
else. i think i may have shared some of the other articles that i wrote
that would be of some interest around here, i can't remember for sure
though. i got alot of the "jamband" assignments, because i was the one
of the only ones on staff that had any tolerance for that stuff...
i did post a phish article today, as you will probably see in a few
minutes. unfortunately, the band was not granting any interviews at all
on that tour, especiallyn to smaller independent rags such as ours. we
could have gotten paluska to talk, but it didn't really lend itself to
the article we wanted to present, so we just did it with no interview.
> i've got your denson interview
> saved, it's one of the pieces i show people when i want them to know
> how proud i am to be on rmp.
wow! that's awesome wayne! seriously, that's one of the nicest things
anyone has ever said to me on rmp. let me know if you want to read some
other stuff....
wayne
news:Xns947D8DAC8CEE...@63.240.76.16:
> wow! that's awesome wayne! seriously, that's one of the nicest things
> anyone has ever said to me on rmp. let me know if you want to read some
> other stuff....
seriously, thanks for sharing. i'd love to read more of your work. i
share a lot of your opinions on music i think, and obviously i'm interested
in what another rmp'er contributes to the music snob population as a whole
:)
The Bi Polar Bear
>the word is "every"...son.
>
>oh, maybe that was just a typo....
>
of course it was a typo....But something tells me that you didn't know
sophomoric had the extra o....
myron
news:Xns947D9A5...@216.196.97.131:
> seriously, thanks for sharing. i'd love to read more of your work.
maybe i'll throw some more stuff up here then.
> i
> share a lot of your opinions on music i think
yes, it certainly seems that way. this is very disturbing to me, and
makes me consider finding some new type of music alltogether.
> and obviously i'm interested
> in what another rmp'er contributes to the music snob population as a
> whole
how dare you?! i take great offense to that comment. in all seriousness,
i know i am kind of a music snob, and actually take some pride in it. i
have gotten much better about it though, realizing that it is just
music, it's only real purpose is to entertain in some way, shape, or
form. basically, my tastes have changed alot over the years. was i ever
wrong? nope. and neither is anybody else, with some glaring
exceptions... ;)
The Bi Polar Bear
>music, it's only real purpose is to entertain in some way, shape, or
>form.
Tell that to a practicing musician....you are totally wrong.
wayne
news:Xns947DAD1EBE4E...@204.127.204.17:
> how dare you?! i take great offense to that comment. in all
> seriousness, i know i am kind of a music snob, and actually take some
> pride in it.
it takes a lot of work to be this way
> i
> have gotten much better about it though, realizing that it is just
> music, it's only real purpose is to entertain in some way, shape, or
> form.
very true. at some point, it becomes boring, and music either becomes
more of a hobby or a curse i think
> basically, my tastes have changed alot over the years. was i ever
> wrong? nope. and neither is anybody else, with some glaring
> exceptions... ;)
i agree, totally ;)
The Bi Polar Bear
there to entertain?
Do you really play your guitar for these reasons?
wayne
> Wayne...as a guitar player...How the hell can you agree that music is
> only there to entertain?
we're only discussing popular music, right? i mean, the depth of this
discussion isn't really touching any anthropological level. i've
experience incredibly powerful music before, even played a little...but
we're discussing performance art, pop music, and the massive digestion
of such...
> Do you really play your guitar for these reasons?
i don't play guitar for any reason i would want to share in a permanent
forum. my motivation and inspiration change constantly. as much as i
would like to perform music for an audience, i have a hard time
imagining myself performing the same songs...even a large number...over
the period of a tour or whatever. that's the big reason i don't share
my work and i'm not actively trying to start a project. does that make
any sense? i'm not certain...
myron
216.196.97.131:
> we're only discussing popular music, right? i mean, the depth of this
> discussion isn't really touching any anthropological level. i've
> experience incredibly powerful music before, even played a little...but
> we're discussing performance art, pop music, and the massive digestion
> of such...
>
exactly. sure, music has and continues to be used for religous purposes,
communication, healing, etc... but in the context of popular music, it is
basically entertainment. this includes blues, jazz, etc... the main
reason people listen to music is entertainment in one way or another.
does it have the power to inspire, soothe the soul, or any number of
other things? yes. but at the core, it is entertainment, and these other
things come secondary. i take music pretty seriously, and am pretty
pasionate about alot of the music i love. but i recognize that it is
entertainment at roor.
The Bi Polar Bear
Brett said "music"
I consider that to be all of music.
Music is only just entertainment for the average listener...It means a whole
world of other things to the player...Just so we are clear.
wayne
> Brett said "music"
> I consider that to be all of music.
which is fine, but out of scope for this discussion.
> Music is only just entertainment for the average listener...It means a
> whole world of other things to the player...Just so we are clear.
perfectly clear
The Bi Polar Bear
>basically entertainment.
Tell that to the songwriters of popular music.
The Bi Polar Bear
order to maybe add a little something to an otherwise awkward discussion today.
On songwriting....Better yet..on POPULAR Songwriting....And laugh if you want
to...But this guy can write a popular song.
"How do you know if you are a songwriter? When does a person actually decide
to be one? Looking back, my first clue was when I was only eight years old
watching a movie called 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.'
I am going to snip a little bit of the entire quote...
"I couldn't sit still and remember saying to myself excitedly, 'I can do that!"
Before that moment, I'd never even thought of being a musician. It was as if
some part of me was remembering itself, as if my soul was speaking to me"
"I truly can't say where that inner message came from, or why on eperson feels
he can write music and another thnks he can't. Songwriting is a way of
expressing what's in the heart, mind, and soul. Some of us are just more
inclined towards taking this road than others as a creative path."
More...
"One of the first songs that I learned on the guitar was the anti-war ballad,
'Blowin in the wind,' by a little known, young songwriter named Bob Dylan. I
was blown away. Learning his song that night literally changed my life"
More
"To this day, my songwriting continues to lean not only on my early influences,
but on everything I've heard since. I think that is truly the nature of
songwriting. One song leads to another. Music, just naturally influences
itself. We all borrow from each other, whether we know it or not. And yet,
these influences create new music that becomes touchstones for the next
generation"
More
"When asked which one of my songs is my favorite, I always reply that it's like
being asked to pick a favorite child"
More
"My inner critic was practically nonexistent, si I was free to create
unself-consciously, loving every note as a new gift"
More
"It was always a rush to stand back from a fresh creation and say to myself in
surprise, 'Did I just do that?'"
More
"my most effective stuff happens when my head gets out of my way and my heart
takes over."
So far it sounds like music, as Brett so carelessly suggested, is far more than
just "entertainment" to this guy....But what does he know? he has only won two
grammy awards and an academy award..
More...And this one really gets me....because if you think that music is just
about entertaining then I truly pity your take on the whole topic...Pay
attention
"A couple of years back I was seriously considering retiing. One night before
putting Luke to bed, I told him that 'Daddy has decided to retire.' He asked
'What does that mean?' I said that means 'I'm not going to sing for people
anymore. I'm just going to stay home and we're going to play a lot more.' To
my surprise, instead of being happy, Luke started to cry and nothing I said
would ease his tears. Finally, I had to leave the room so that my wife, Julia,
could just hold him and calm him down. Luke at last whispered through his
sobs, 'If Daddy stops singing, he'll die.' That was the most important wake up
call I've ever received."
"If you are an aspiring songwriter looking for some cagey advice that might set
you on a path to fame and fortune, I would smile and say one thing: be wary of
following trends too closely. Do your best to write music that expresses who
you are and what you feel at this exact moment of your life. Write with your
heart. Remember, your goal is to be someone that people imitate, not one of the
many who imitates. The authentic 'you' is the reward you truly seek, and
writing is your path home. It is the obstacle course you run to get to
yourself."
Now tell me that music is for entertainment purposes only. It has become all
to clear that you have proven my point about being a critic, Brett....You'll
never know.
The Bi Polar Bear
I am in a flurry tonight...
Wrote three new melodies for my second act. Should have it completed by the
end of Feb...I'll let you folks who are interested know when the files are up
for feedback. Thanks again for all of the HONEST opinions...It was exactly
what I was looking for.