Mechanical Music for Me
By Craig Brougher
The comments by Stephen Goodman are just too good to pass up. He began by commenting first on the appearance, then the expression, and finally the musical capacity and the fact that unless we can appeal to the younger generation, we're done.
I used to think that too. I agree with Stephen in everything he says. However I would like to add a new twist to the thread, and it is this: "I am very pleased that player pianos do not appeal to everybody! I don't want everybody to like them-- because if they did, they would quickly _ruin_ it for everyone else." Truth will prevail. We will never be "done." We will be exonerated.
This is actually a lovely, peaceful hobby, totally inoffensive to everyone, and out of the storm of society. It is like a rosy glow from a fireplace while outside, a furious storm is raging. I am so _glad_ that rappers, grungers, metal rockers, and other forms of human life are somewhere else! They don't know we exist and frankly that's the way I like it! I don't _want_ them whistling our tunes or singing our songs, and I'm quite protective about that.
Please do not assume that I think _all_ music is done that way! You can find great stuff -- sometimes even in a garbage dump!
Our group is musical. We just love music -- _live_ music -- played on real acoustical instruments for the most part. And those eclectic enough enjoy both also enjoy this great music. That's great. They know how to have fun.
These instruments represent not only a technology but a special kind of music which is timeless. It strums the heartstrings. It moves the feet, and the hips, and the arms, and whatever is left. It is simply, "Music for music's sake."
This music represents an era. A time that represented the peppy, can-do attitude of the free world. You can still relive that time -- in the music of the era. Music is actually timeless because it is a spirit, and as such, it becomes a driving force. The music we choose is _not_ a force for rebellion, sensuality, and division, but a force of sensitivity, energy, and confidence. It speaks. We listen. We learn. We are transformed. (In so doing, we are separated from that kind of anguish.)
I have long said, "You can tell a lot about a person and their aspirations by listening to the music he likes." That's why I do not want everyone liking our music. I am very jealous for our music. You can call it selfish. Let them come up to our standards. Let them learn what "great" really is. Let them find out, on their own, what a freedom certain music imposes upon the will, the creativity, and the heart of those who listen.
They have _nothing_ to offer. We have everything to offer. They are like a 250-car train off its tracks, sitting in a cornfield, while we are like a little handcar, just zipping right down the line. They look at us moving along and say, "that's inconsequential." Don't worry. We are defining what is really great, and guys like Stephen Goodman, George Bogatko, Robbie Rhodes, David Wasson, and others are going to help take us there, because while they are searching for tracks, we have our eye out for talent and the end product.
Craig Brougher
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(Message sent Thu 6 Feb 1997, 22:50:14 GMT, from time zone GMT.) |
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