Re: OT: The Police on Tour

[Todd Howell <ransacker@earthlink.net>]

Just to chime in here, I have to ask the question "Were you moved? Were 
you entertained?". Those to me, are the only criteria.  I have seen alot 
of great instrumentalists and vocalists who were at the very height of 
their craft, amazing prowess in physical and technical aspects, that were 
duller than rotting vegetables (to me). I've seen people with limited 
instrumental skill and prowess be immensely moving and/or entertaining. 
The converse is also true. I have seen incredibly moving/entertaining 
musicians who were mind-f**kingly skillful and those who were of dubious 
prowess be unlistenable. Much like beauty, it is all in the eye of the 
beholder.

Not that I particularly want to help Sting add on to his 14th Century 
Castle next to Stonehenge etc., but if he comes out and plays live 
somewhere where I can see him, at a price I am willing to pay, in this 
case anywhere from 75.00 to 300.00 about six miles from my house, I will 
do so. It is what the market will support. The reason Britney Spears made 
the obscene amount she has (G*D forgive us all) is that a market was there 
for it. Alot of teenaged and pre-pubescent girls had disposable income and 
gave it to her to be entertained.  Entertainment has always been about the 
lowest common denominator/what the market will support since the first  of 
our ancestors clacked two rocks together and grunted.

Didn't the famous Eggheaded Theorist Brian Eno declare that "Taste is the 
enemy of art." ?

Just wondering. Discuss

Todd

-----Original Message-----
>From: Joshua Carroll <josh@infinivert.com>
>Sent: Feb 15, 2007 3:04 PM
>To: Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com
>Subject: Re: OT: The Police on Tour
>
>Lesser known, but I'd throw in Jonatha Brooke and (oh yeah) Imogen Heap 
>(!)
>
>Also, I'd say groups like Muse and The Mars Volta showcase some fairly 
>incredible musicianship in a harder style
>
>Though I completely agree that musicianship has taken a hit in the 
>public priority, I'd say that the future looks brighter as the industry 
>weakens and the independent musician grows stronger (thanks to the web)
>
>--Josh
>
>
>
>john floridis wrote:
>> i'm not a fan of big country arena acts, but i have to say brad 
>> paisley and keth urban can rip into their guitars pretty impressively...
>>
>> ditto the thoughts on john mayer, norah jones (simple but tasetful), 
>> the chicks (my friend susan gibson wrote "wide open spaces") and of 
>> course prince.....
>>
>> that said, among the huge acts.....well to quote prince when he was 
>> asked during an interview on t.v. (mtv maybe?) what was missing from 
>> today's music, he replied....
>>
>> "musicians..."
>>
>> oh, does tori amos count?  ani difranco?
>>
>> john
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>>
>