A gentleman in Smithfield sent me what he said was a small gift. I wasn't sure how to thank him, am still not sure this is the way to do it but I can't put it off any longer. so here goes. Many thanks for the gift of music. You can't miss with music because at 86 I've enjoyed many forms of it, decades of creations by gifted composers beginning with Mozart. I wasn't around when his compositions filled the narrow streets of Vienna. It seems that every decade we had to drop the beat of one, resist change for awhile, then slowly accept the next artist and his style or musical instrument we hardly knew existed. The changes were endless, the new conductors, the beats, the stories told in song. Music that soared, music that made you cry. Ennio Morricone that made Clint Eastwood famous. Lawrence Welk's dance, Mancini, Mantovani, Ray Lynch, The Beach Boys, on and on, some great, many today just noise. I don't carry an electronic box of tunes around plugged into my ears, but I still stop an listen when I hear real music from an open window. A good share of the music sent to me was in its own way military and I assumed had something to do with the millions of us who went off to war somewhere. And the gentleman is a first class composer. Thanks again.
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3 comments:
Pock Why isnt Rap, Hip Hop mentioned? sarc
Rock and rock was never meant to be the music of adulthood, it is or once was by definition the music of youth and rebellion, so I guess that rap fits as well.I'll admit to owning a lot of old rock and roll records, not only Roy Orbison,Chuck Berry etc etc which I treasure but forgettable stuff I haven't taken out in years. However, because of my love of other American musical styles, I never fell into the trap of being one of those over-aged adolescents attending an Ozzie Osbourne concert. Some things are, after all, meant to be outgrown.
Rap "music" is like the entire field of humanities. It is bankrupt and the society or culture it comes from.
I want to mention that music can change a society. Music is a much better teacher than books in some cases and it can can be considered good or bad.Elivs on TV the cameras were banned from showing hus hips. President Nixon, in the 60's, tried to outlaw The Beatles from entering the United States. The reason being that it was teaching a lot of rebelliouness. They also, "dissed" Jesus Christ and,promoting the use of LSD & Pot. Many dont know but based on his music and what many think they know of his music that Jimi Hendrix was an Army vet who hated Communists and thought that we were right to fight them in Viet Nam. The Beach Boys were banned from taking part in our National Birtday party in Washington.That to me I question into the comment of popularity of today as a WTF moment.
I grew up thinking that country music was nothing about some fellow or woman singing about nothing but personal tragedy. ie losing their job, their love,their home on wheels and kicking the dog.
C'mon folks. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Don't like it? Don't buy it or listen to it. The one problem I have with any music is when some young punk pulls up 8 cars away from me and I think his music is too loud. I don't care if it is Bach! It is beyond rude. The sub-woofer is just about the worst invention ever and the bane of normal drivers.But remember this is the generation of and about ME.
The best music in the world is like the best car in the world: The best car is the one you are driving (even if its just a dream) and the best music is the music you listen to and enjoy. Just don't tell me yours is the "best" because honestly, I don't care if you don't like my favorite music or car, or gun or house or color of paint in my living room.
When it comes to all music I like to ask people; " Who is smarter, the head of a great university, a Man with 2 Billion cash in the bank or the head of a 2 Billion dollar per year gross sales company?". Rock and Roll has given us 4 lads from Liverpool, one man worth more than the Queen of England, Dark Side of the Moon. I have a full appreciation of Muddy Waters,BB King,Chuck Berry and yes Elvis. Rock and Roll has raised up more people from poverty than almost in the humanities than anything else. Come to America and get rich playing Rock and Roll was the call of the 60's and 70's. Now for Jay-Z,and other successful rapers I personally can't stand their brand of music. But I bet their personal bankers listen to classical music or rock and roll on the drive over to the mansions of these artists for the annual bank account status in their new BMW 760iL.
What I dont understand is how a element of our society can be angry when another element will use the N word, but they use it in a toxic way to promote violence and hate in their music.When you think about it how do you think those "artists" got their mansions and their fancy cars? Capitalism is alive and well in the black community but only to a select few, just like the NBA, HFL and the entertaiment industry.
End of rant. I guess I will go and play some Orbison, Tops, Temps. And no I wont kick the dog along the way to the den.
How do you like this headline:
KISS Donates Half a Million Dollars to Wounded Warrior Project and Loves the Troops!
April 4, 2011 at 12:05 am
“This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it’s going to just live in the sands of God’s armpit you’ve got another thing coming,” “They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you’re evil.”
- Gene Simmons on Islam
I am not a big fan of Kiss but Simmons understands and gets it where many politicians and Americans don't. I donate monthly to the Wounded Warrior Project and when it comes to my country and to veterans I am a patriotic crybaby.I love our warriors. I love my country.And to the musicians who dont support our troops like the Puss, I mean the BOSS They can kiss my CD...money good by.
Before you decide whether the opinion above this is in good or bad taste you need to know more about the KISS "music" organization. The point is "money for the wounded who stood up militarily for this nation." That's a yes. The type of "music" they play and foster is an individual matter.
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