Re: Geddy Lee

Rolling Stone is full of non-musicians who have ears. So do most
music magazines.

Unfortunately, most people who think musicians should bring more to
the table mean "have better chops." Ain't so. Ever put Britney
Spears down? She sells more than any of us do put together.

This much is true. And what gets the non-musicians all hot and bothered?
Obtuse, Dylanesque lyrics and an aloof attitude. To the gaggle of failed
writers and English Lit dropouts who populate mucic crticism, Great chops
are frowned upon; in some circles, proficiency on your instrument is a
cardinal sin. They used to savage bands like Rush, Queen, and Zeppelin back
in they day, just like the savage bands like Dream Theatre and, well, Rush
today.

And among Jazz and classical critics, that situation is even worse.
Generally, instrumental critics would LIKE to be full time musicians; as
such, they tend to review albums not as they ARE, but as the critic would
LIKE them to be. And if your atonal free jazz exploration winds up in the
hands of say, a critic who thinks jazz ended with Ellington, you're in big
trouble...

So what is the objective reality at work here? There isn't any.


--
Lessons, music and more at www.jmsjazz.com

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid,
but most stupid people are conservatives."
- John Stuart Mill




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