Music

Trainspotter said:

There is a lot of 'unmanufactured' music out there, it just doesn't get played on the radio and you have to look for it.  A lot easier these days.  And you have to look tthrough a lot of absolute rubbish as well.

But thank goodness for Spotify and You Tube.  I have found much to like on these and I'm glad it might not appeal to Simon Cow and his cronies. 

As a 'folkie' I've always liked anti establishment music.  Ewan MacColl wrote some very powerful songs, but most people only know him for one song which he wrote - The first time ever I saw your face.  And I suppose most people don't even know who wrote that song anyway.  I'd love to go onto X factor and sing "Ballad of Accounting" and see the reaction!

Ballad of Accounting

Before they split up four years ago, I really liked the final incarnation of Chumbawamba.  Good tunes that when you listened to the words were very poignant and not a bit like their hit record Tubthumping. 

Chumbawamba Wagner at the Opera

Same with me and anti-establishment music.  Anything anti-establishment, really!

I liked Chumbawamba, too.  Saw them at a gig before they were famous.  Ewan MacColl, yes.  Pete Seeger.  Johnny Cash.  I also liked The Levellers and New Model Army.  The Pogues are favourites, too.  Anything that challenges.  The only thing that One Direction challenge is my patience!

I agree about the 'rebranding' of Susan Boyle.  I never watch the shows as I hate that kind of thing, but I was curious about Susan Boyle and Paul Potts.  The panel and audience were so rude, dismissive and patronising to both of them.

There is a lot of 'unmanufactured' music out there, it just doesn't get played on the radio and you have to look for it.  A lot easier these days.  And you have to look tthrough a lot of absolute rubbish as well.

But thank goodness for Spotify and You Tube.  I have found much to like on these and I'm glad it might not appeal to Simon Cow and his cronies. 

As a 'folkie' I've always liked anti establishment music.  Ewan MacColl wrote some very powerful songs, but most people only know him for one song which he wrote - The first time ever I saw your face.  And I suppose most people don't even know who wrote that song anyway.  I'd love to go onto X factor and sing "Ballad of Accounting" and see the reaction!

Ballad of Accounting

Before they split up four years ago, I really liked the final incarnation of Chumbawamba.  Good tunes that when you listened to the words were very poignant and not a bit like their hit record Tubthumping. 

Chumbawamba Wagner at the Opera

the thing with susan boyle i disliked was the whole thing they didnt think she would able to sing because she wasnt covered in makeup like everyone else and she got through on her singing voice but then they just kinda tried to rebrand her make look "better" in their words that must been difficult to take you have a great talent but people jugde on looks still so i dont know those shows just do my head in cant stand manufactured talent

lostmyway said:

I agree with a lot of what you say Tom.

I tend to get turned off The X factor because although some of the contestants do have real talent, the way they belt out the songs drives me up the wall (too old and crotchety I guess). Also, the way the 'audience' howls and hoots as soon as the singer starts singing is in very bad taste in my view. A bloody rabble, if you ask me.

And, while I'm having a rant, the way the camera zooms in to a close-up of Simon Cowell or Sharon Osbourne, etc. seems so contrived it almost makes me physically sick. The whole things seems so 'cheap' I no longer watch it.

But hey, what do I know, millions of fans can't all be wrong!

Ok, rant over.

Yes.  Having said what I did, though, I'm always pleased when someone like Susan Boyle comes on, or Paul Potts.  Plain-looking, a bit dishevelled, not fitting in with the shape and style of the body and fashion fascists.  And then.... they're all shocked to their roots with what comes out.  So... all those petty, trivial pre-judgments were wrong!

I think I read that SuBo has Asperger's.  That probably accounts for her public meltdowns.  It must be hell to be suddenly thrust into the public glare like that.

I agree with a lot of what you say Tom.

I tend to get turned off The X factor because although some of the contestants do have real talent, the way they belt out the songs drives me up the wall (too old and crotchety I guess). Also, the way the 'audience' howls and hoots as soon as the singer starts singing is in very bad taste in my view. A bloody rabble, if you ask me.

And, while I'm having a rant, the way the camera zooms in to a close-up of Simon Cowell or Sharon Osbourne, etc. seems so contrived it almost makes me physically sick. The whole things seems so 'cheap' I no longer watch it.

But hey, what do I know, millions of fans can't all be wrong!

Ok, rant over.

I like many types of music, too.  I was brought up listening to classical (my dad's favourite) and rock 'n' roll (my brother's favourite).  Music is music, really, no matter what it is and who's playing it - the London Philarmonic or the Sex Pistols.  Having said that, I've never liked rap or hip-hop.  I listen to some of it and it just sounds like words recited over a backing track.  Also, I can't stand the blatant references to violence and sexism in it. 

There are some bands that are favourites, and I like a lot of their stuff: Eels, The Smiths, REM, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, U2, NIN.  But I'm not an obsessive collector like some people. I haven't 'bought' any music for about 10 years. I stream it all from YouTube, etc.  Nor am I an obsessive listener.  I can't be like some, and have music wherever I go.  I like to listen to the sounds of the natural world outside.  I can't listen to music when I'm driving, either, as it's too distracting.  I can't have music as a 'background' to whatever I'm doing.  I need to be focussed on the music - or on the other thing I'm doing.  Not both.  Basically, I need to be in the mood for music.  Other people who play their music too loudly, so that everyone else can hear, are the bane of my life.  Anti-social, selfish, arrogant, confrontational, idiotic.

I suppose anothe genre I'd rule out, too, is X-Factor/BGT-generation pop.  Can't stand 'products' like Ed Sheerhan.  Don't mind Bruno Mars.  Hate pretty-boy vacuous pop.  Too bland and blatantly commercial.  I think Adele is hugely over-rated: mediocre, derivative song-writing and a shouty, soulless voice.  The last contemporary female singer I thought was great was Amy Winehouse.  A true talent.

I can't honestly say I've ever liked punk, heavy metal or hip-hop, but then I'm of a generation when some of this was not around and the rest just seemed to pass me by.

I'm probably 'middle of the road' as regards music. I like some classical, pop, dance, and quite a lot of movie music, as I watch quite a few movies.

But I've never really followed a particular band because I like a variety of music and the reason could be because I never had a peer group when I was a kid to 'mould' my musical tastes.

In fact, when you have no friends you tend to go your own way and suit yourself, which is probably quite limiting as regards musical preferences.

Sorry to be so boring.