General Music Chat

That's part of my problem with Country.

One: the misuse (and abuse) of the violin... ugh. When country people get a hold of a violin, it's like listening to a guitar player play their instrument when it's badly out of tune. I just despise it. I really don't know how people can stand to listen to that.

Two: the vocalists sing through their noses. They have that nasal-quality to their singing that just makes me feel like I need to hock a big loogy and clear some crap out of my own throat... If they would just SING for crying out loud!

And then there's the lyrics. And here I agree with Phil - it's just the lowest common denominator. You never hear Country folk try and elevate the lyrics to something greater. I just can't stomach it. I listen to Rush and the beauty and breadth and depth of Neal Pert's lyrics, and I just can't bring myself to listen to some country twat singing about their poor pickup truck and how the dog left 'em and now they need to buy another round... it's just horrible and juvenile.

And then there's the musicianship - or lack thereof. It's the same old sh*t, all the time. A pedal steel whining, a violin being butchered, and some guy on a telecaster twanging out a simple little lick while the drummer keeps a steady 4/4 and does absolutely nothing exciting to the point where I have to wonder if there isn't a computer at work.

Contrast that with something from.. I dunno... Yes, or Rush... or even Dave Matthews Band... it's like night and day.


Anyway - that's MY problem. Certainly, with the popularity, I'm on the outside. Country fans - have fun with your tunes. I just don't get ya. That's all.

You don't like nasal singing, yet you used RUSH as your example? OMG!!!

Far as I'm concerned, the guy from Rush should be singing bluegrass...



The problem is inherent in the violin. If your violinist hasn't perfect pitch, you should replace the guy. The instrument's f-holes are right there, next to your ear when you play it. When you draw the bow, it's all you hear.

The bluegrass band I was in had one, & it was horrific at times, to my ear, but the poor guy couldn't even hear if he was in or out.

You don't like nasal singing, yet you used RUSH as your example? OMG!!!

Well, as an example of LYRICS - Yes

I admit, Geddy's voice is certainly an acquired taste. It took me years to get to the point where I could appreciate it, and longer to get to the point where I actually liked it.

To me though, with Rush, it all starts with the Lyrics. Pert writes incredible lyrics. Like, this is one of my favorites:
[url]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVXMTNKIEak[/url]


Hold your fire
Keep it burning bright
Hold the flame 'til the dream ignites
A spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

I hear their passionate music
Read the words that touch my heart
I gaze at their feverish pictures
The secrets that set them apart

When I feel the powerful visions
Their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct
I wish I had that drive

Spirits fly on dangerous missions
Imaginations on fire
Focused high on soaring ambitions
Consumed in a single desire

In the grip of a nameless possession
A slave to the drive of obsession
A spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

I watch their images flicker
Bringing light to a lifeless screen
I walk through their beautiful buildings
And I wish I had their dreams
But dreams don't need to have motion
To keep their spark alive
Obsession has to have action
Pride turns on the drive

It's cold comfort
To the ones without it
To know how they struggled
How they suffered about it
If their lives were exotic and strange
They would likely have gladly exchanged them
For something a little more plain
Maybe something a little more sane

We each pay a fabulous price
For our visions of paradise
But a spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission


To me this is what music is about. Expression, passion, art, creativity, beauty... I don't find any of those qualities in country music.

But again, that's just me.

I started out playing violin in junior high & high school was trained in classical music for 6 years and yet being from Texas I instantly and naturely moved toward fiddle and country music. At the age of 13 I was playing with men in their 40's 50's and 60's. It was a lot of fun but then I discovered sex drugs and rock and roll (that was a lot more fun) especially in the 70's do any of you know the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

Cat gut strings thats the difference.

Pitiful Comentary Phil. You imbarass yourself. I will not joust with you.

Well before you joust, I suggest that you brush up on your spelling.

Woops... too late.

The best part about country is that they have dedicated professional song writers.
The worst part about country is that they have dedicated professional song writers.

Oh I get it. I get jokes.

Hey gt, its 2010 you should brush-up on your guitar sound. ooops

do any of you know the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

One's played by a trained musician and the other by a fatass country puke with tobacco spit dripping off his chin.

LOL!

do any of you know the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

One's played by a trained musician and the other by a fatass country puke with tobacco spit dripping off his chin.

Klugmo, do try not to take the negative comments personally. It's all in good fun, man.

It's true, though, that there is a stigma surrounding country among the rock folk.

There is also a lot of dissing about rap, or classical, or r & b, & even blues, with some of the ppl I talk to.

So what? I like chocolate. You like chili. I don't think it's really any big deal.

There's also the country ppl saying things about rockers et al, if you wanna get down to it all.

When I played in the bluegrass band, I was amazed at the purist attitudes of many of the musicians. Eh, it happens. I try not to take it personally when someone pans my playing in a jam band, or the rockabilly band, or a blues band, & try to keep an open mind about ALL music, myself. I know I fail miserably, more often than not, cuzza some of my genre preconceptions...but I'm still growing up...& trying is all I can do.

LMFAO, thats funny Pete, But I guess that is the image huh!

CF, the lyrical content is what endears country music the most to some ppl. There is something to be said about day to day drudgery, stuff that happens to us all, & country is very good at describing it all, usually in plain, everyday working man ways. Some ppl can relate to that much better than they can to high poetic art. I don't really think it's anything to complain about, cuz this form of communication can be tough.

Country is also the only genre I can think of that laughs at itself. How many times have you seen or heard a country act that hams up the whole illiterate hillbilly theme? I like that about it, even though it promotes the awful stereotype.

Rock, prog, blues, NONE of those other genres can do that & pull it off successfuilly.

CF, the lyrical content is what endears country music the most to some ppl. There is something to be said about day to day drudgery, stuff that happens to us all, & country is very good at describing it all, usually in plain, everyday working man ways. Some ppl can relate to that much better than they can to high poetic art. I don't really think it's anything to complain about, cuz this form of communication can be tough.

I totally agree Phil. People like what they can relate to. And most people can relate to the content in country music. Country music is for the average, hard working American.

I totally realize that. I totally understand why I don't dig it and why I prefer Rush... I'm in the minority because I'm not an "average" guy...

In my opinion, Slacker G., said it best !!
New country music; Their whole concern, is targeting teenage girls. Because they are the one's buying CDs.
The recording companies, package their young "pretty boys" in tight jeans, and cowboy hats, and an attitude.(some young girls, like the element of a rebel). Then they sing alot of songs about; Moma, Daddy, Pick-up Trucks, and Tractors. Then watch the money roll in. That's how you do it son !