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Taylor Swift I just don't get it

TejasRichard said:
There was plenty of crap pumped across the airwaves (or performed in concert, or put on stage and screen) at every point in history. No exceptions. There are artists every bit as talented performing today as back in the 60's, 70's etc. Who says? Me. Quite frankly, what we've been talking about for several pages is musical taste, which is completely subjective. It doesn't matter how many experts agree, or how popular an artist is, or even what history says: if you don't like it then, for you, it is crap. A big ol' bucket of crapola. Do I like Taylor Swift? No. I think she's drivel. But the Beatles also put out a lot of drivel. Cookie-cutter, candy-striped, pop drivel. (I don't mean to offend anyone, that is just my opinion. If you like the Beatles, I don't think any less of you, nor am I trying to invalidate your choices or denigrate your taste. I will even agree that they did have moments of genius, but not every turd they dropped on vinyl was made of gold, no matter how many teenyboppers bought the single). And the only thing you ever got to hear was what the radios decided you would (unless you lived in a large city and could actually go out and find the new bands at the small clubs).

Then: You don't like what's on? Spin the dial.
Now: You don't like what's on? Spin the dial. Or surf to a new internet stream. OR get an Ipod and load it with your favorite stuff. (personally, I'm lucky. We still have some really good radio here.)

We have access to more music today than at any point in history. People are showing up in HUGE numbers to see artists perform (during a free concert series this summer here in Austin, they were averaging about 5k folks per show. Each show had one performer, and people would wait all day to get into the park and get a good spot). I don't know, maybe it just seems different here because of where I live, but I am more excited about music RIGHT NOW than at any point before. I used to wish I had been alive and partying back in the early 70's.....and I still wish i had been able to see Floyd and the Doors and Zep play, but there is so much music being made right now that is just as good that I find myself increasingly glad to be a part of it here and now, today. I hope i didn't come across as TOO abrasive (though if you don't stir the pot a little, things just kinda get all stuck to the bottom and burnt on :D), it just really burns mean when folks talk about "today's music" when what they mean is "the crap on the top 40 station." I have plenty of friends how are working musicians who would find most of this thread incredibly insulting if that distinction isn't made.
Anyways, y'all have fun...I'm done with my rant. *hands soap box back*
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Here we are having a great conversation and you have to go all logical on us...:D

Actually, I have to agree with you about music in general. It hasn't changed in 200 years. No matter what the genre, from classical to grunge, the ratios have never changed. 20% total crap, 70% utterly ordinary, and 10% fantastic. And, of course, those ratios have nothing to do with what makes money.

As far as the original thoughts in this thread, TS notwithstanding, you can still find "traditional" country, if you look.:yes:
 
Yup, the guy from Austin has a point.:thmbsp: As I mentioned, I quit listening to top 40 by the time I was 12 - 40 years ago. There has been some great music made in that time span, and probably more good music than bad. The main problem, as most here seem to agree, is that the majority of the good music doesn't make it through the bean-counters' filters. That means we have to work harder to find it, because we are unlikely to hear it on the radio. Most people don't care about music enough to to the digging, although there are plenty who do.

You, Mr. TejasRichard, are quite fortunate to be in a town that has been recognized as a music mecca. (Still going strong?) I am fortunate enough to live in a town that has three stations devote at least some time to Blues. We have NPR and community radio, as well as a few other college stations. The community radio station plays a wide variety of music - whatever the hippy-dippy volunteer DJ decides to bring with him or her that day.

And as you mentioned we have the Internet, including AK. I have a few times posted threads here asking what obscure band members would like other members to know about. We regularly see people asking what jazz artists would be interesting. There are several playlists that, with some time spent browsing (I said we have to dig some) will turn up some gems. I know that when I discover a new to me artist, whether they have been around or not, I want to talk to someone about it and share the wealth.

This thread would not have zipped past 150 posts in just a few days if the folks here did not care about the music. We are lucky to have this resource.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
d-ray657 said:
This thread would not have zipped past 150 posts in just a few days if the folks here did not care about the music. We are lucky to have this resource.
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Amen, brother!

WhiteSE said:
Someone has to do it!!!!

Imagine having to defend CarlV's scandinavian death metal...:D:D
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I'd rather defend Ms. Swift or scandanavian deathmetal (now THERE'S a fusion group that might be fun!!!) than to toe the line for Tiny Tim. Or worse yet, Tom Jones!


I tease, I tease! I know some of you ladies out there still go wild for that hairy-chested bastard, you rascals, you!
 
TejasRichard said:
...I'd rather defend Ms. Swift or scandanavian deathmetal (now THERE'S a fusion group that might be fun!!!) than to toe the line for Tiny Tim. Or worse yet, Tom Jones!


I tease, I tease! I know some of you ladies out there still go wild for that hairy-chested bastard, you rascals, you!
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I've thrown my room key at him more than once!:D
 
And what is wrong with "the flavor of the day"?

Wow! My last post was Thursday, and about 200 posts ago! This is a fun thread. As many have noted, the thread has moved this from a "TS as a country singer" to a general "what is wrong with music" orientation. An earlier poster made the observation that TS may be gone in 4 years? So what is new? Just for fun I found a 6 disc "70s Pop Hits" compilation I got a while back. Looking at the list was kind of fun!: Hues Corporation; Tony Orlando and Dawn; B.W. Stephenson; KC and the Sunshine Band; Chic; B.J. Thomas; Melanie; Terry Jacks (Seasons in the Sun :no:); Mary McGregor; Don McLean (keep the Pie, please! :boring:); you get the idea! All of this music is oriented to the same audience; it always has been and always will be! I find as long as I set the musical bar at the right level (pretty low sometimes :D), and listen accordingly, I can make it through Taylor, Colbie, Katy, Shania, Fergie, etc. just fine. Will they be around in 10 years? Probably not. And what's wrong with that?
 
krf1 said:
Wow! My last post was Thursday, and about 200 posts ago! This is a fun thread. As many have noted, the thread has moved this from a "TS as a country singer" to a general "what is wrong with music" orientation. An earlier poster made the observation that TS may be gone in 4 years? So what is new? Just for fun I found a 6 disc "70s Pop Hits" compilation I got a while back. Looking at the list was kind of fun!: Hues Corporation; Tony Orlando and Dawn; B.W. Stephenson; KC and the Sunshine Band; Chic; B.J. Thomas; Melanie; Terry Jacks (Seasons in the Sun :no:); Mary McGregor; Don McLean (keep the Pie, please! :boring:); you get the idea! All of this music is oriented to the same audience; it always has been and always will be! I find as long as I set the musical bar at the right level (pretty low sometimes :D), and listen accordingly, I can make it through Taylor, Colbie, Katy, Shania, Fergie, etc. just fine. Will they be around in 10 years? Probably not. And what's wrong with that?
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That's why, when I hear a radio station saying "All hits, all of the time," I want to hide the radio. I remember during that era not being able to tell the difference between Lionel Ritchie and Barry Manilo, but I seldom had more than five seconds to compare before my fingers hit the dial.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
TejasRichard said:
I work outta my truck, and I would undoubtably be a less pleasant person to be around if I had nothing to listen to but clearchannel crap all day. :yes:
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We have a pretty good radio station in town but I still listen to my iPod through my radio. Nothing like having a radio station that plays all my favorites all the time. :thmbsp:

Chad
 
ducati_EL34 said:
That is not country. That is just four rednecks.
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Not even.

It's bluegrass, the favorite "authentic" music of grad students everywhere. Those four cats and their fans could not be more removed from your ill-thought "redneck" slur than the debating club at Dartmouth.

I've got family in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Texas, so I know "redneck."

Ken
 
KeninDC said:
Not even.

It's bluegrass, the favorite "authentic" music of grad students everywhere. Those four cats and their fans could not be more removed from your ill-thought "redneck" slur than the debating club at Dartmouth.

I've got family in Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Texas, so I know "redneck."

Ken
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Do you honestly believe that rednecks are exclusive to the south? Bluegrass is redneck to me, so they look like rednecks.
 
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I have picked up 4 of the best reviewed tuners over the past 5 years and listen to only one station:sigh: Its Jazz 91.1 out of Toronto and love it. Used to listen to Q107 but as most have said it's so boring and repetitious how many times can you listen to Rush , April Wine, Led Zepplin etc would not be that bad but they play the same bloody songs. I watch a show called Austin City Limits some of the best music is played on that show :music: Just watched a show from the Montreal Jazz Festival heard some amazing music and groups you'll never hear on radio:sigh: T.S is the Pat Boone of her time as is alot of groups/music cookie cutter play it safe music imho
 
Axcel said:
T.S is the Pat Boone of her time as is alot of groups/music cookie cutter play it safe music imho
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That is just downright wicked. Are you telling me you don't favor his version of Tutti Frutti over Little Richard's? I'll bet you don't even like the covers he did of Black Sabbath and Metallica.

Regards,

D-Ray
 
Redneck is another of those shifting terms that doesn't mean the same thing now that it did 100 years ago. In fact I can't think of many people who would agree on a precise definition, but almost all would say that they "know a redneck when they see one".

I am friends with a fair number of bluegrass musicians, and I can't think of a single one who matches my definition of "redneck". Matter of fact, one of our best local bluegrass bands was founded by a dentist, and one of our communities best known bluegrass performers was a WWII fighter pilot, who ran the local airfield and taught flying lessons till he retired. Both are anything but rednecks, and yet have an abiding love and appreciation for the old mountain music.

Bluegrass may well be the favorite music of many "rednecks", but there's nothing unsophisticated about the music itself. Ask any guitar picker. Some of the finest and most sophisticated musicians in the world, are bluegrass musicians or at least got their start there.
 
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