[78-L] Huh?

[Steven C. Barr]

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From: "Taylor Bowie" <bowiebks at isomedia.com>
> I've learned there is little or no point in engaging   Mr.  Barr in any 
> kind
> of a discussion...he seems more inclined to make outrageous and 
> unsupported
> statements and then simply retreat while the rest of us fume and
> fulminate...until he comes up with his next batch of goodies,  and so the
> process repeats itself,  again and again.
> I asked him twice last night for some elaboration on his claims about
> classical music fans and how they listen and collect in a "different"
> way...so far,  not a peep...I assume that he did not reply because he
> realized,  on reflection,  that the statement was complete balderdash.
>
You didn't get a reply simply because I didn't receive that post until about
1:25 EDST; I was headed for bed in about five minutes...?!

Now, to try and explain insofar as I can...!

For the last hundred-odd years, "pop"music has had a strong rhythmic 
element,
and was partly, if not mainly, intended to be danced to (if anything, this 
is even
more true to-day?!). This gives the music an element of "fun;" this was 
probably
the main thing that attracted its listeners when it was current...?! 
Further, I am a
serious lover and student of history; this is why I enjoy living in a c.1869 
house.
Thus, my many 1900-25 pop vocal 78's are interesting a specimens of "musical
history!" They inform me of what people were listening to when they were
issued; just as my house informs me of the architecture and living habits of
people were many years ago!

OTOH, classical music seems (to me, anyway?!) to be an effort on the part of 
its
composer to "tell a story" in a musical way. As well, most lovers of 
classical
music seem (at least to me) to listen and "evaluate" the performances 
against
those of other performers...?! In fact, this is why I neither collect nor 
listen to
classical vocal 78's; I don't have the knowledge to evaluate the 
performances
they contain against other examples...?! When I listen to a Caruso 78, I can
easily tell that he is singing "in tune;" beyond that, I can't tell that his 
singing
is in any way superior to other tenors I may hear...?!

I suspect (I can only speak for myself...?!) that those who are most serious
about jazz may also evaluate the performances on the recordings they own?!

In passing, I might also note that my lack of comprehension of more current
jazz also means that I can't enjoy listening to it!

Steven C. Barr