I agree ... almost completely. I think TAN is just an
incredible all-around album. Who else but Becker and
Fagen could make such catchy, hooky tunes out of such
quirky riffs? I mean, you can actually sing this
stuff ... notes and all ...
Now let us consider the competitor Eminem, stripped
down to his most basic element -- forgetting even,
just for a moment, the more incendiary aspects of his
"lyrics" ...
First off ... Rap = Rhythm.
Rhythm is one, amongst many, facets of music -- but in
and of itself does NOT qualify as musical composition.
Therefore, rap is not now, and so far as it continues
to be based on a single element of composition, will
never BE music. This is not just this man's opinion.
A teacher of mine, and great operatic mezzo, held
auditions for a master class at Southern Methodist
University for some very talented kids a couple of
years back. One little boy walked in, announcing that
he was going to "sing a song." When he began rapping
.. she gently told him:
"That's talking ... not singing."
She was, of course, correct. A rap (whatever the
subject) has cadence, phrasing, meter, accent and
dynamics. Those are ALL subset components of basic
rhythm. But what's missing is melody, harmony, tonal
progression, consanance, dissonance & overtone --
those musical aspects that are possible only when one
stops 'talking' and starts 'singing.' There is, and
always will be a difference.
Now, is this to slag Eminem? No ... it's only to say
that he's merely an orator ... NOT a musician. So it
doesn't surprise me in the least that Steely Dan was
picked by a panel of musicians -- regardless of sales.
And now it's time for a nap -- if only I could find my
flame-retardant PJs! ;-)
Don Rowe
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Visit me anytime at http://www.mp3.com/donrowe
