<< I don't know if I actually bought 10 *new* releases all year. I
don't know if that just means I'm way behind the times or if it's just
plain pathetic.
>>
Mark, I'll certainly not address the latter statement (;~D), but I will say
that it is difficult and time-consuming to chase down good new music. Here in
SC it's damn near impossible to hear any good new tunes on the radio,
although thanks to the NPR station I DID pick up on Ani!
So what do I do? Well, I read a lot of reviews, I listen to what my Joni-pals
are saying, and sometimes I flat out take a chance when I walk into the
record store. I do feel a sense of obligation to pursue new music. Most from
my generation do not, and that's why artists like Joni become forgotten
commodities. From what I see, the majority of boomers are just re-stocking
their collections with 20 & 30 year old music. Waiting for the Eagles boxset
or something.
But the good news is, even people of our generation can buy "new" music from
old favorites! Joni, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Joe Jackson (the live in NY
one, not the putrid "Night & Day II) and many more all had releases out this
year. And the even better news is that each year there are debuts by artists
who will have their kind of staying power.
Perhaps the most difficult thing is to let go of the belief that the music of
"our generation" was the best ever and can never be duplicated. I think every
generation falls into this trap. Matter of fact, I read in the paper this
morning that the burgeoning radio format is a "retro-80's" format, now that
the folks who grew up with Madonna & Boy George and Wham are at the age where
they want to recapture those years.
Don't fall into the trap, Evian!! You have a responsibility to your unborn
child to keep moving forward! :~)
Bob, who remember when his GRANDMOTHER said that The Beatles "Because" was
the prettiest song she ever heard!
NP: Radiohead, "Lucky", live 9/16/00 (A million thank-you's for this one to
my bestest pal!!!!)
