What happened to good music?
Published on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 by John PierreRead More The Constant Curmudgeon
What ever happened to music with a melody? Modern "music" (and I use the term loosely) seems to consist of little more than a loud beat and a half dozen almost unintelligible words repeated over and over again.
The music that has lasted over the years is comprised of beautiful melodies with background beat to compliment them. Many such songs have been around for decades and will probably continue to be listened to and enjoyed for the foreseeable future.
Ernie Ford, with his natural bass/baritone voice, would turn over in his grave at what is being called music these days.
Even Elvis, as he grew out of the "rock and roll," hip-gyrating songs that made him initially famous, lent his special talent to such songs as "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" and "The Trilogy" not to mention many soulful hymns.
Barbra Streisand, probably one of the finer female voices ever, made some of the most listenable music on the planet when she wasn't out protesting something or someone.
I would even mention the music of Hank Williams as the kind that lasts, not because of his voice but, rather, because of his unique way of presenting songs, many of which he wrote. Some of his hymns will still be being played after some of us have departed this vale of tears.
I suppose young people would run and hide to avoid listening to the master of the violin, Isaac Stern.
Nat King Cole's voice will undoubtedly be available for decades to come while the "hot" items being purchased largely by 14-year-olds today will have been tossed into the trash can of music history before another new device for playing them is developed as seems to be the case every two or three years.
The saddest part of today's loud noise and ear shattering beat is that the young people who seem to enjoy it most will almost certainly be deaf before they reach 50 due to the 150 decibels of boom - boom - boom they surround themselves with.
Many modern "singers" don't even attempt to sing. They just holler words in time with a beat that Tarzan would have recognized as jungle drums.
Real music will hopefully never become extinct but it is indeed sad to hear it going through this period of deterioration. I don't object to beat... I just wish it was an accompaniment to a beautiful melody.
The music that has lasted over the years is comprised of beautiful melodies with background beat to compliment them. Many such songs have been around for decades and will probably continue to be listened to and enjoyed for the foreseeable future.
Ernie Ford, with his natural bass/baritone voice, would turn over in his grave at what is being called music these days.
Even Elvis, as he grew out of the "rock and roll," hip-gyrating songs that made him initially famous, lent his special talent to such songs as "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" and "The Trilogy" not to mention many soulful hymns.
Barbra Streisand, probably one of the finer female voices ever, made some of the most listenable music on the planet when she wasn't out protesting something or someone.
I would even mention the music of Hank Williams as the kind that lasts, not because of his voice but, rather, because of his unique way of presenting songs, many of which he wrote. Some of his hymns will still be being played after some of us have departed this vale of tears.
I suppose young people would run and hide to avoid listening to the master of the violin, Isaac Stern.
Nat King Cole's voice will undoubtedly be available for decades to come while the "hot" items being purchased largely by 14-year-olds today will have been tossed into the trash can of music history before another new device for playing them is developed as seems to be the case every two or three years.
The saddest part of today's loud noise and ear shattering beat is that the young people who seem to enjoy it most will almost certainly be deaf before they reach 50 due to the 150 decibels of boom - boom - boom they surround themselves with.
Many modern "singers" don't even attempt to sing. They just holler words in time with a beat that Tarzan would have recognized as jungle drums.
Real music will hopefully never become extinct but it is indeed sad to hear it going through this period of deterioration. I don't object to beat... I just wish it was an accompaniment to a beautiful melody.