Sir Paul rocks
I read on the Associated Press that television writer David Bauder thought Paul McCartney put on a safe show during the halftime show at the Super Bowl yesterday. Mr. Bauder tried to be hip stating that McCartney's show was "offputting for the kids." Huh?
The problem with Bauder's conclusion was he is wrapped up in the world of here today, gone today. The Beatles, like artists stretching from Bach to U2, pushed music forward but did not do so at the expense of crafting art that is timeless and will win over fans with each passing generation.
McCartney and his top-notch band delievered an excellent 12-minute set of music that was crafted for a mass audience without pandering to the lowest common denominator. With the possible exception of U2's incredible performance three years ago, I can't remember a better Super Bowl halftime show that Sir Paul's four-song set yesterday.
As for Bauder, I doubt his prose will be remembered past its publication date...He might want to note that very few of today's new crop of pop music entertainers can expect to command a successful career lasting anything close to a decade. McCartney has been thrilling fans for more than 40 years and has not lost his place at the front of the line...
Monday, February 07, 2005
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Day Two
Day two
Is anyone reading? Once again I've volunteered to be a judge at the annual Orange County Music Awards. So I'm listening to dozens and dozens of songs put on CDs by OCMA chief Martin Brown for me. I don't know the artists' names or categories where they are placed. I just listen to each track and rate them between 1 and 100 with 100 being a perfect score.
As I write this, I'm listening to a female singer, accompanied by her acoustic guitar. I've already heard heavy alt rock, funk-tinged grooves and country-western stuff all on the same 19-song disc today. Your mind and music ears must switch gears on a dime. It's interesting, although only one of the artists I've heard so far today blew me away. That's a tough task for artists to catch my attention being I have to listen to so much music and often feel like I've heard it all before.
Now I'm listening to a heavy alt band that lacks the rage of Korn or groove of Pearl Jam. Everybody wants to be Hoobastank now. Next year, all the rock bands will want to be somebody else. I can't honestly rate this band high; I appreciate they can all play their instruments and make it sound good in the studio. I just wish it had some heart.
Is anyone reading? Once again I've volunteered to be a judge at the annual Orange County Music Awards. So I'm listening to dozens and dozens of songs put on CDs by OCMA chief Martin Brown for me. I don't know the artists' names or categories where they are placed. I just listen to each track and rate them between 1 and 100 with 100 being a perfect score.
As I write this, I'm listening to a female singer, accompanied by her acoustic guitar. I've already heard heavy alt rock, funk-tinged grooves and country-western stuff all on the same 19-song disc today. Your mind and music ears must switch gears on a dime. It's interesting, although only one of the artists I've heard so far today blew me away. That's a tough task for artists to catch my attention being I have to listen to so much music and often feel like I've heard it all before.
Now I'm listening to a heavy alt band that lacks the rage of Korn or groove of Pearl Jam. Everybody wants to be Hoobastank now. Next year, all the rock bands will want to be somebody else. I can't honestly rate this band high; I appreciate they can all play their instruments and make it sound good in the studio. I just wish it had some heart.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Welcome Friends
Welcome everybody!
Many of you who read my Orange Pop column in the Orange County Register have been introduced to some wide-ranging and strong artists who do or have called Orange County home; Scarlet Crush, Bright Blue Gorilla, Michael Ubaldini, Rusty Anderson, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings - the list goes deservedly on. This column will allow me to talk about live shows, CDs and other music-related stuff that I simply can't squeeze into my columns that run Friday in the Show section.
I invite you all to check back often. I will try to update this column when I can. I often read or hear things and have a strong opinion and I will post my thoughts on all that and more. So much has been made about downloading, song production and producers, that I really feel the emphasis on great songs and musicianship has taken a back seat. I don't like that, so expect to read much about singers, songwriters and performers who are worth celebrating - especially in a time of diminished returns.
Keep on reading! And you can always read my Orange Pop column via www.ocregister.com every Friday too!
Robert
Many of you who read my Orange Pop column in the Orange County Register have been introduced to some wide-ranging and strong artists who do or have called Orange County home; Scarlet Crush, Bright Blue Gorilla, Michael Ubaldini, Rusty Anderson, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings - the list goes deservedly on. This column will allow me to talk about live shows, CDs and other music-related stuff that I simply can't squeeze into my columns that run Friday in the Show section.
I invite you all to check back often. I will try to update this column when I can. I often read or hear things and have a strong opinion and I will post my thoughts on all that and more. So much has been made about downloading, song production and producers, that I really feel the emphasis on great songs and musicianship has taken a back seat. I don't like that, so expect to read much about singers, songwriters and performers who are worth celebrating - especially in a time of diminished returns.
Keep on reading! And you can always read my Orange Pop column via www.ocregister.com every Friday too!
Robert
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