From: bbbe~ris.com (Barry B. Bean) Date: Fri, 15 Mar 96 09:58:43 EST Subject: [Fwd: Re: New CD from Trio Globo/Howard Levy?]
=========BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE========> Date: Fri, 15 Mar 96 09:58:20 EST > From: bbbe~ris.com (Barry B. Bean) > Reply-To: bbbe~ris.com (Barry B. Bean) > To: mindsto~sa.pipeline.com > X-Mailer: Barry B. Bean's PMMail v1.1 > Subject: Re: New CD from Trio Globo/Howard Levy?
On Fri, 15 Mar 1996 04:58:35 GMT you wrote:
> >{Whenever someone says}"i don't like x," the response isn't "i do; here's why," but rather: you >shouldn't criticize anyone because they're artists and someone probably >loves them. let's stop pullling our punches and get real!
Amen, brother! I don't understand the whole "its music to someone" approach to music discussion. Clearly there are distinctions to be made, and anyone fearful of criticism shouldn't make records, perform in public, write, or talk on the radio. If music is entirely a personal expression, then no audience is necessary.
I can express myself at home without regard to tone, time, tune, or any external sound whatsoever. The emotions I need to vent can be fully vented.
But as soon as I invite an audience, step on stage, enter a studio, or fire up my word processor to share my music with others, I have to be prepared for the full range of response from brutal rejection to slavish adoration. Indeed, I would argue that a large part of any artist's incentive to put their art in the public view is to get that feedback.
So if I say that I find John Tesh's music to be tepid and vacuous, or that I find Popper's playing to be soulless and mechanical, I am giving them exactly what the want and need as musicians - feedback. If you disagree with these judgements, then the correct response is either "you're wrong, listen to THIS recording where they ARE soulful and meaningful;" or "I disagree with your criteria. I find that their music stirs my soul and inflames my passions."
But if you simply say that someone else likes them, I can concede that and still not think very highly of their music. Someone else's admiration of their work is no reason for me to either admire it or withhold my own criticism.
My love for habanero peppers does not require you to love them nor refrain from admitting you don't. But a frank discussion of the relative merits and flaws in the pepper will probably uncover a food we both like.
BBB - - B.B. Bean - Have horn. Will travel. http://www.cris.com/~Bbbean
=========END FORWARDED MESSAGE======== - - B.B. Bean - Have horn. Will travel. http://www.cris.com/~Bbbean
