You may have seen my other blogs, The Bollzilla Chronicles and Beyond Highway 99. I've developed a habit of compartmentalization in regards to my self-expressions: The Chronicles with my political and social commentary, Beyond Highway 99 for my travel writings.
This blog will delve into my opinions regarding my creative tastes, especially in music. I'm fortunate to have had a mother who exposed me, at an early age, to some of the finest voices and music committed to vinyl and magnetic flux: the big bands (Dorsey, Miller, Basie, et. al), the traditional vocalists (Mathis, Williams, Streisand, Jane Olivor, Cleo Laine, Patsy Cline, and go down the list), early rock and roll (especially Elvis' Sun Records years), and others. She would frequently have something on the turntable during my childhood - and I got into it as she did. Some of my fondest memories of my musical youth were watching Buddy Rich's Big Band on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon and watching Gene Krupa in action in The Tommy Dorsey Story. I can remember when albums like Boz Scaggs's Silk Degrees and Steely Dan's Aja first came out, when I was 8-9 years old - I still love them nearly 40 years later, and they occupy a permanent place on my iPod.
Later, in my adolescence and the advent of Empty Vee, my tastes "modernized" - somewhat. I eschewed Blondie, Devo, the Go-Gos, and other groups that my classmates were listening to in favor of Rush, The Police, Duran Duran, Yes, and a few others. Hall and Oates were also heavy on my personal playlist in those early-to-mid-80s days - granted, their specialty was Blue-Eyed Soulful ear candy, but it was tasty. As I got older and Seattle grunge started getting heavy airplay, I discovered some of the classic 70's rock: Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, Foghat, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, and so on. I never really got into Grunge when it was popular, discovering some of that music much later. This was also the time when I took up the bass guitar and started playing in bands.
As I got further into my instrument, I became a part of the nascent Bay Area Blues Scene, playing in several working bands, one of whom opened for big names like Robert Cray and Tower of Power. At this time, I discovered Con Funk Shun, The Brothers Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and a bunch of other blues and funk greats.
Today, is where I have the problem. Matchbox Twenty seemed interesting at their peak, and Train has written and performed some memorable stuff. The French group Phoenix shows some potential, and, maybe, Neon Trees. Joe Bonamassa is a versatile guitar shredder worth a listen as is Gary Clark, Jr. (Blak and Blu is not to be missed, BTW). Alicia Keys does a great job combining traditional sensibilities with new approaches, and has a great voice and considerable proficiency on the ivories. But that's it. I can't get into artists like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and their ilk. Justin Bieber has become a self-caricature, trying to go street-gangsta. Britney is...Britney. Whitney is...dead. Madonna can be...entertaining, but not to the point where she can separate me from my hard-earned cash. Of the modern pop vocalists, probably the best and most versatile going today is Celine Dion. Lea Michele has potential, once she can evolve away from the Barbra-clone act she's been riding on lately and can find her own voice - if the industry will let her.
I've got lots to say on this subject. Criticisms, witticisms, a few ideas, and other musings.
Stay tuned.
