Dropped into the Dollar Store next to the local Supermarket. Went to pick up some odds and ends for a project, walked out with a CD again, Last one was a mixed Blues album. This one, encanto (2008), was a co-production of Sergio Mendes and will-i-am. Interesting cross with samba, funk, and hip-hop. It includes Fergie, Herb Alpert, Natalie Cole, and others, along with some rap thrown in (which sounds better sung in tune and in Spanish methinks); but, I believe music has room for everyone. That only makes it richer.
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

Cool. I almost feel like I'm rubbing off on you (honestly I thought you were asleep) from thousands of miles away.

When you get a chance check out "Flight to Brazil" by Madlib. Conceptually they are similar but Madlib is less shiny.

C/S,
Rev J

"Wish" The Cure

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I can dig the good stuff now, Rev’. I’m just not at the stage where it’s one size fits all. No heavy hip hop award shows for me; but, then again, well known here, I’m not a huge fan of the industry self gratification and ramped up promotion, other than checking out the odd song or particular performance. Been there done that. (Ain’t PVRs great?) Reminds me of seeing the same beautiful people day after day, month after month, year after year, with the same story on the magazine rack at the checkout counter. YMMV (Here’s a tip. Have you noticed that, generally speaking, awards go out to performers and smoozers but, with exception, not necessarily talented musicians and/or vocalists? That’s one path to fame. So to take that path, you have to make it different, and you have to own it. The risk there is that you have to have others buy into it, and if they do the rewards are great.)

Which brings me to sumpin’ I want to add for the young un’s (and old codgers) locked into their generation of music without sampling the taste of others. For most of my life I grew up being entertained and entertaining others not of my generation, and not always to my liking. Yet, there was still an appreciation for it. In short I listened to everything, played, and collected everything (and I mean everything from the religious monk to the spaced out experimentalist), some a lot more than now, some excellent material, some bitter. Some even helped me earn a living. Musical preference was always with me, but it’s important to know no one should believe that old dudes, especially of my generation and younger, that listen to old school can’t take the new school or don’t have an understanding of it. It’s just that they might have a lot on their plate, and sometimes they push the veggies aside for the meat they prefer, and all meat isn’t well prepared. Some of it should be thrown out or thrown up.
It’s like art. In fact it is art. Some like the blank canvas on the wall. Others would turn away from it. Still others only accept it with splatters or strokes of colour, and still others want more detail and texture. Some like a bit or a lot of it all. Knowing your audience is important, but it doesn’t have to be a crowd.
I’m going out on a limb by saying the 50s pop music was more similar throughout than not, the 60s and 70s was very different needless to say, to some extent the 80s having different genres but mostly similarities within the genres (Disco, New Age, EDM, Metal, Glam, etc.), and 90s to a lesser extent (Shoe gazing, old school rap, LA and westcoast influence, Country Rock), and now with the club scene and Disney type stage band approach in today’s music it appears that the similarities have come back to us. Thankfully, alternatives and some great ones are out there, but definitely less mainstream and definitely less diversified than rock and roll, Surf, British Invasion, regional R&B, folk/rock, hair music, and so on at that level of saturation within a small window of time. IMHO.

The Adele and Lavigne/Morrisette copies are killin’ me. That could be the reason many of the 30s and over are re-discovering or hanging onto yesteryears’ music. I dunno. Like all generations, we evolve to beg borrow and steal from our youth. There’s something to be said about that. Don’t do it if your example wasn’t great to begin with. I think everyone can relate to that, and we are hearing some of the mistakes now, I believe. A good reason to reach further into the bag. I think it’s ripe for some new fruit to fall our way, but what I don’t know.

Then there are the youth that would be wise to try other morsels and recipes. We all would do well to at least try it.

I think you’re cooking just fine, Rev’. Who knows. You might end up with Michelin stars on your plate.
I’ll check out "Flight to Brazil" by Madlib.

FSB

My father spent a lot of time south of the equator and, also with my being a drummer, the music from there was in my home at an early age, and still is. My father in his 70s became a Zappa fan. Maybe, it’s in the genes.

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

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"Electric Lady"

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"Electric Lady"

The interesting exception to the rule regarding awards is that Justin Beiber and Esperanza Spaulding were nominated for "Best New Artist" Grammys the same year and Esperanza Spaulding won.

At the time she was in her early 20s, was the youngest professor at Berklee teaching both upright bass and vocals, plus sings in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

A lot of Beibers fans got pissed and started spamming her website and social media with negative comments.

C/S,
Rev J

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"Electric Lady"

Good point. Can’t argue with her receiving her award. Definitely a worthy candidate. But, the first Jazz artist to win the award? Really? That kinda of waters down the credibility doesn’t it? As for Justin, too bad he wasn’t competing with Little Wayne and all the Beiber wannabes. At least he didn’t have to be a Mouseketeer to start a fan base and to get support from the associated record giant along with associated media exposure to sell a bundle.

I could take up print space here debating, but that would pale compared to the poster boy. I’ll just add that the entertainment industry is quite the circus in how they decide who gets in and who stays out of the circle. As many here in the Forum and elsewhere have attested, the choices made are questionable. Look no further than the RRHOF, and that is not even in the door. Justin has other problems knocking down that wall, and that happens on your side of the border too with many who deserve better. Awards like this are fabricated money makers, and power tools, bragging rights, and they look good on the mantel as long as you have an audience to admire it.

Nothing wrong with being the youngest professor at Berklee teaching both upright bass and vocals; but, that isn’t a given for being a great entertainer any more than being a lawyer makes a great politician. Quite often it is a detriment. There are a lot of educated positions in and out of the control room that don’t earn a pass. It only gives you the know how and the tools. I have a lot of tools with the know how, but I’m still not a great carpenter. But, I won a dance contest
All I know is that, having worked with Grammy winners and those equally as good that weren’t, an award won’t stop me from being a follower. It certainly won’t make me one either.

Just keeping it real.
FSB

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

I’m A Man
- Spencer Davis Group (Stevie Winwood)

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Hello, big guitar. Meet my little fingers.

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"Electric Lady"

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"Electric Lady"

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"Electric Lady"

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"Electric Lady"

"Sexplosion!" My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult

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