Roy mentioned in todays Times newspaper

[bigchris]

Don't get the impression that I'm a regular reader of The Times newspaper ... but I'm on a course this week and it's the only thing to do at lunchtime !!

Anyway was reading the Sports section to see if they mention anything about any football that's not in the premier league ... and I came across an article called "The best top 40 ... ever" ... looking at pieces of music that were influenced by sport ... starting at #40 was "The Ballad of Bjorn Borg" by the Prenice Brothers (!?) down to #1 "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan.

But ... at a respectable # 11 was "When an old cricketer leaves the crease" by Roy .... the text that followed was "Little known but long-serving folk hero realises that you can find pathos in among the cucumber sarnies"

[HarperPR]

:hurray:

And quite right too! It deserves to be there.

[Shane]

any mention of Stan? Am I alone in thinking it a better song than Cricketer? in some ways it reminds me a bit of a stan barstow novel (not just because of the name).

[Bob Jacobs]

Well, Hurricane should have been disqualified as it was about a miscarriage of justice, not boxing. Stan deserves to be in the top 40 (but not as high as Cricketer)...

Bob

[SteveT]

Veering away from the topic a bit, the most recent Mojo featured the Ava Cherry and the Astronettes album that includes the cover of Highway Blues. It said something about wailing and little else though.

[Watcher]

I agree that Stan is a much better song - well, I'll rephrase that - it's more to my taste, I prefer it. I always say that no song is better than any other, it's all a matter of taste. I'm sure that a lot of you will disagree with that sentiment, and believe that there is good taste and bad taste, but as far as I can see good taste in most people's opinions usually coincides with their taste. Why should my taste be superior to anyone else's? Or theirs to mine? Even if I like The Birdie Song or Madonna (which I don't as it happens)? I know plenty of people who like a lot of what I like but don't rate Roy. I don't think that means they have poor taste (or good taste), just that they like some different things.

Discuss.

[Shane]

I agree that Stan is a much better song - well, I'll rephrase that - it's more to my taste, I prefer it. I always say that no song is better than any other, it's all a matter of taste. I'm sure that a lot of you will disagree with that sentiment, and believe that there is good taste and bad taste, but as far as I can see good taste in most people's opinions usually coincides with their taste. Why should my taste be superior to anyone else's? Or theirs to mine? Even if I like The Birdie Song or Madonna (which I don't as it happens)? I know plenty of people who like a lot of what I like but don't rate Roy. I don't think that means they have poor taste (or good taste), just that they like some different things.

Discuss.

agreed! :iagree:

[Bob Jacobs]

This is a good old chestnut! Without doubt, my taste is better than anyone else's :-)

Seriously though, I think it comes down to having some intellectual criteria. This is where the interesting arguments will come from. If we like a song, we ought to be able to explain why: whether it's because it makes us feel happy, or makes us dance or makes us think, or whatever. Then the question arises: why does it make you feel happy, sad, etc? My Dad always said he hated sentimental films because he felt that his emotions were being manipulated. I struggled to understand that but I think I've gained some insights into the process over the years. There is some distinction between genuine and specious emotions. Manipulation by overblown orchestration has always struck me as that sort of specious manipulation, whereas simple words, artlessly expressed, create an impression of genuineness: but that very artlessness can be feigned, so how can we tell? As one technique acquires the sheen of authenticity, so the clever imitators flood in and create an impression of authenticity that is aurally indistinguishable from the real thing. One way to resolve the problems arising here is to look at the artist's background and history: does it explain how they came to write, or to be able to interpret others' music, in such a moving way? Even so, the back story may be misleading or unproductive. Another clue may be the congruence or contrasts between the musician's lifestyle, recorded behaviour, public utterances and lyrics. If an "artiste" like Madonna screams at a London crowd "Come on London, get your f****** act together" or whatever it was at Live Aid 2005, does this come across as genuinely committed political diatribe or gross posturing by a celebrity? Look at her career and you decide. That said, I think there are some genuine merits in some of Madonna's music but some of it is just crap and I can't be bothered to explain why on this post but may have a second wind later.

Someone else's turn!

Bob

[SHAUN I]

Just because artists are in the mainstream hype/spotlight, and sell millions of records and reach the number 1 spot, does not necessarily mean that it is good music. Number 1 in the Top 40 charts, now there's a concept, No.1 of what? Along with 39 other mediocre ten a penny pop bands singing about love, churned out on some hi-tech all singing all dancing drum machine/synthesiser, brainwashing the masses! But going back to the original point, some people are of the opinion that this music is where it's at. All too often in this manufactured environment, this "music" is used merely as a fashion accessory, undermining the whole concept of playing real instruments and creating original material.

I certainly don't think T.V. programmes help the cause with entertainment (I use the term very loosely) :biggrin: shows such as The X-Factor lining up chart fodder, with immaculate timing, in the run up to Xmas. It's big business, where there's muck there's brass, to quote an old addage.

"Modern music is a sick puppy" (FZ)

:rant:

Shaun.

[NoCelebrity]

I agree. To be fair, many of the number ones have tremendous talent, but their musical inspiration leaves something to be desired... They don't stimulate our mind, our soul. I think too many people are mesmerized by the celebrity, plus younger buyers are trying to find something they can identify with.

A couple years ago, I actually got caught up in TV's "ROCK STAR:SUPERNOVA" where Tommy Lee and two others were looking for a singer. They wrote and performed a few original songs with the lead singer hopefuls and it was fun and interesting -- ergo, the show never returned for a third season.