Finding Music (again, reprised)
Lately I've been playing a lot of guitar, probably (well, certainly) because I recently bought two from a guy that was having his first baby. The first, was a mint Guild Bluesbird, with a AAA top, and the second, a Larivee D4. I have to say, that the Larivee is the sweetest guitar I have ever played or heard, at any price. Pure sex. The Bluesbird is special too, but there's something about the Larivee. It has the sweetest tone ever.
Thing is, since I'm now casting around for new songs to learn, I'm also discovering that my tastes in music have changed in many ways.
First, it's almost impossible to find a current recording worth crap. Part of that, is because rock is now 60 years old, and we're looking at tunes that are fourth generation derivitives of stuff done in 1970. But you know what, a catchy tune is a catchy tune, even if it isn't terribly original. What really brings on the suck, is the way songs are mixed on recordings, and the electronics stacks most artists are using live.
Phil Spectre started it, by burying individual instruments deep into "wall of sound" chorus effects. But audio guys finished it, by punching the amplitude of every recording until everything just becomes on-key din. Add auto-tune to the mix, such that even crappy singers can be made to blend into the produced murk, and what's left?
I crave purity now. I'm genre neutral, so long as the tune is good. I need to hear the instruments, feel the character of their playing, the klinkers and pitch issues left intact. I want sparse sound with identity. I want to hear and feel the actual skill of the player. It's still out there, but you have to work for it now.
www.youtube.com/watch Fretkillr, on youtube. This I love. Guy is an absolutely magic guitar player, and has a voice of pure soul.
A month ago, I was in Missouri, visiting an old family friend who was dying of cancer. A family came to visit him while I was there, and brought their instruments, to play for him and brighten his spirits. 2 guitars, and a banjo. No electric anything. They sounded awesome to me, even though Mama was a trifle off pitch. It was just real. It moved me. Gospel songs, bluegrass. Just three people, and their skills, and heart.
Folk players are still around too, though few in number these days, mainly because young players all want to be rock stars and fuck whores. But you find them now and then.
Thing is, since I'm now casting around for new songs to learn, I'm also discovering that my tastes in music have changed in many ways.
First, it's almost impossible to find a current recording worth crap. Part of that, is because rock is now 60 years old, and we're looking at tunes that are fourth generation derivitives of stuff done in 1970. But you know what, a catchy tune is a catchy tune, even if it isn't terribly original. What really brings on the suck, is the way songs are mixed on recordings, and the electronics stacks most artists are using live.
Phil Spectre started it, by burying individual instruments deep into "wall of sound" chorus effects. But audio guys finished it, by punching the amplitude of every recording until everything just becomes on-key din. Add auto-tune to the mix, such that even crappy singers can be made to blend into the produced murk, and what's left?
I crave purity now. I'm genre neutral, so long as the tune is good. I need to hear the instruments, feel the character of their playing, the klinkers and pitch issues left intact. I want sparse sound with identity. I want to hear and feel the actual skill of the player. It's still out there, but you have to work for it now.
www.youtube.com/watch Fretkillr, on youtube. This I love. Guy is an absolutely magic guitar player, and has a voice of pure soul.
A month ago, I was in Missouri, visiting an old family friend who was dying of cancer. A family came to visit him while I was there, and brought their instruments, to play for him and brighten his spirits. 2 guitars, and a banjo. No electric anything. They sounded awesome to me, even though Mama was a trifle off pitch. It was just real. It moved me. Gospel songs, bluegrass. Just three people, and their skills, and heart.
Folk players are still around too, though few in number these days, mainly because young players all want to be rock stars and fuck whores. But you find them now and then.