"I don't like country music at all".

[danny la rouge]

hey, danny. guess what?

I'm not a blues fan either. I like old rural blues, but at soon as it went electric it (mostly) bored me.

go figure....

At which point? See, Hopkins learned at the feet of the old rural blues players. He was just playing it on an electric guitar. And it sounds primal and modern at once. He had learned from a much earlier generation, but was making a sound that would have been stunning if it was made 20 years later.

And I can't get my head round the idea of anyone not being blown away. I really think people owe it to themselves to listen.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

or - just maybe, you know, perhaps - they plain don't like it?

I'm a massive country fan but I would never be surprised if somebody didn't like it. As I already said, if i reckoned they'd change their mind if they heard a wider range, i'd give it a go. But not everybody is going to like everything, and while the image / politics might put people off initially, there are still going to be intelligent, reasonable people who simply don't find it enjoyable to listen to.

But 'country' encompasses a huge range of musical sub styles etc.

It's like saying you don't like 'rock'.

 

[danny la rouge]

Blues to me is just a buch of auld blokes sing about how miserable they are, soul music, they sing about a wider range of things and it's more dynamic.

I'm not really going to get into some sort of trainspotter pedantic argument about what is one or the other or what I thought of some '65 obscure b-side, that's a load of bollocks. With respect.

Aye, but blues blends into soul. There isn't a line that says this side soul, that side blues. So I was genuinely interested; give me some examples. If you don't know Ray Charles' work, give me some you do know. A soul one you like and a blues one you don't like. I want to understand.

 

[Dubversion]

i think you're being a little dogmatic and boneheaded, danny, to be fair. It's fine not to understand why, but you have to accept it rather than assuming there's a failure of comprehension somewhere.

I Know my music history, my blues history. I know all about what happened between blues, country, gospel, soul. I know that most of the music I like has its origins in blues. But I still don't care for much straight blues from the 50-60s onwards. it bores me. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I just don't listen to it.

 

[danny la rouge]

But 'country' encompasses a huge range of musical sub styles etc.

It's like saying you don't like 'rock'.

Exactly.

 

[Dubversion]

But 'country' encompasses a huge range of musical sub styles etc.

It's like saying you don't like 'rock'.

And I know plenty of people who'd state that as well.

I feel the same about reggae

"But 'reggae' encompasses a huge range of musical sub styles etc."

Sure, but if people don't like it, they don't like it. Doesn't diminish them as people and it doesn't diminish the music I love.

 

[Yossarian]

I think people hating country has a lot to do with the fact that most of what people get exposed to on Country Music TV and similar is incredibly shit and puts them off for life, I hated country with a passion for a long time until I got exposed to some of the stuff that wasn’t crap.

 

[sleaterkinney]

Aye, but blues blends into soul. There isn't a line that says this side soul, that side blues. So I was genuinely interested; give me some examples. If you don't know Ray Charles' work, give me some you do know. A soul one you like and a blues one you don't like. I want to understand.

Soul uses structures and vocal styles from Gospel music, blues doesn't.

 

[danny la rouge]

i think you're being a little dogmatic and boneheaded, danny, to be fair. It's fine not to understand why, but you have to accept it rather than assuming there's a failure of comprehension somewhere.

I can't help the way I express myself. And I really do think people can like and dislike whatever they want to. I even have friends who like David Gray. But I just expected in a music forum to find a bit of argument put forward.

And I'd like to make it clear seeing things written in black and white doesn't give the full picture. If we were having this conversation in the flesh you'd see my friendly, open expression.

 

[Dubversion]

Soul uses structures and vocal styles from Gospel music, blues doesn't.

I think you're going to come unstuck if you try and unpack it like that, it's all far too intertwined. Why not just say "I like soul, I don't like blues" and leave it at that, and don't let danny harass you into anything else

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

And I know plenty of people who'd state that as well.

I feel the same about reggae

"But 'reggae' encompasses a huge range of musical sub styles etc."

Sure, but if people don't like it, they don't like it. Doesn't diminish them as people and it doesn't diminish the music I love.

No, no diminishment, but to me, if someone says they don't like 'rock' or 'country', it indicates either a closed mind, or a lack of understanding of what it is that falls within those categories.

I'm not a blues fan either, but I've heard blues numbers that I've liked, and I've had a good time in blues clubs before.

 

[Dubversion]

I can't help the way I express myself. And I really do think people can like and dislike whatever they want to. I even have friends who like David Gray. But I just expected in a music forum to find a bit of argument put forward.

And I'd like to make it clear seeing things written in black and white doesn't give the full picture. If we were having this conversation in the flesh you'd see my friendly, open expression.

oh, i wasn't having a pop, and I'm sure you weren't either

in fact it's nice to have a decent discussion on urban for once without all the usual shitstorms

 

[danny la rouge]

Soul uses structures and vocal styles from Gospel music, blues doesn't.

Blues very much does. Son House's John The Revelator comes to mind.

Go on, give us a soul singer you like and a blues singer you don't like.

 

[sleaterkinney]

I think you're going to come unstuck if you try and unpack it like that, it's all far too intertwined. Why not just say "I like soul, I don't like blues" and leave it at that, and don't let danny harass you into anything else

(I know but I'm pissed, I'm going to 'ave 'im in the carpark in a few minutes.)

Do you like Techno Danny?. Or is it just 'real' music?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

I think people hating country has a lot to do with the fact that most of what people get exposed to on Country Music TV and similar is incredibly shit and puts them off for life, I hated country with a passion for a long time until I got exposed to some of the stuff that wasn’t crap.

That might be part of it. As you can imagine, we get a pretty wide exposure to country music, even if we don't go looking for it, over the course of our lives.

It's enough of an exposure for me to know that if I'm shelling out money for a concert ticket, it won't be for Shania Twain, but there might be a Shania Twain song or two that I'll listen to should they come on the car radio.

 

[Dubversion]

No, no diminishment, but to me, if someone says they don't like 'rock' or 'country', it indicates either a closed mind, or a lack of understanding of what it is that falls within those categories.

why? why do you feel it indicates that? I can't abide opera, fucking hate it with a passion. Now does that betray a closed mind, a lack of understanding? or can it just be that i don't like it.

And if it DOES betray a lack of understanding, well maybe that's fair enough.

There's a lot of 'stuff' out there, are we supposed to digest and process it all? Or can we occasionally just take a guess that since we haven't enjoyed what we've experienced so far, we could just leave it there and move on.. ?

 

[Dubversion]

dammit, i have to catch a train in a few hours.

night, fellas..

 

[sleaterkinney]

Go on, give us a soul singer you like and a blues singer you don't like.

No. I like one, don't like the other.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

why? why do you feel it indicates that? I can't abide opera, fucking hate it with a passion. Now does that betray a closed mind, a lack of understanding? or can it just be that i don't like it.

And if it DOES betray a lack of understanding, well maybe that's fair enough.

There's a lot of 'stuff' out there, are we supposed to digest and process it all? Or can we occasionally just take a guess that since we haven't enjoyed what we've experienced so far, we could just leave it there and move on.. ?

How much opera have you heard?

Most people have heard thirty second bits of a fat woman singing Wagner, and think that that's opera. It is, but there's a lot more.

I realize that you have an encyclopedic knowledge of types of music that I'll probably never even get exposed to; knowing what you know about music, can you not accept that there might be examples of unfamiliar genres, that you might enjoy?

 

[danny la rouge]

oh, i wasn't having a pop, and I'm sure you weren't either

in fact it's nice to have a decent discussion on urban for once without all the usual shitstorms

It's fine. And I'm sorry to sleaterkinney if it came across like I thought he didn't have a life. I really am. I just feel passionately about this stuff.

You know, I avoided the music forum for years because I thought it'd be "Led Zep were ace." "No, they sucked." "No they didn't". And to be fair sometimes it is.

But sometimes people give their honest opinions without worrying that they are losing cool points or something. I respect people who know what they're talikng about but are happy to say, for example, "no, the Faces were over rated". Even if they'd be wrong.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

There's a lot of 'stuff' out there, are we supposed to digest and process it all? Or can we occasionally just take a guess that since we haven't enjoyed what we've experienced so far, we could just leave it there and move on.. ?

No, but why dismiss something out of hand, when the possibility exists that it may have some redeeming qualities?

 

[danny la rouge]

Do you like Techno Danny?. Or is it just 'real' music?

I wouldn't use the term, but yes I like electronic and dance music.

Which I'd call pretty real.

 

[danny la rouge]

No. I like one, don't like the other.

You shouldn't listen to Dub, you know.

Do you like Curtis Mayfield?

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

You shouldn't listen to Dub, you know.

Do you like Curtis Mayfield?

Who couldn't like Freddy's Dead?

 

[danny la rouge]

Who couldn't like Freddy's Dead?

Careful! You might be misunderstood!

 

[sleaterkinney]

I wouldn't use the term, but yes I like electronic and dance music.

Which I'd call pretty real.

fairy muff.

Do you like Curtis Mayfield?

You see the thing is, I haven't heard half the artists you're talking about. To me blues is a paticular sound and style of song, same with c&w

 

[danny la rouge]

You see the thing is, I haven't heard half the artists you're talking about. To me blues is a paticular sound and style of song, same with c&w

Aye, well that's going to be a problem. Because I might think you haven't heard enough on which to judge. For example if you (meaning anyone, not just you personally) think blues is Eric Clapton, then I'd say you need to reassess your view. And maybe widen your listening.

And if you like soul but don't know Curtis, then I'd strongly recommend you seek out his work.

And so to guide the thread back on course, that's the problem when people say they don't like country. I strongly suspect they haven't heard the right stuff. And that when they do, they are so tainted by Billy Ray Cyrus they don't give it a chance.

But if they hear stuff I think they should hear, give it a chance, but still don't like it... well, then I'll say they're entitled to be wrong.

 

[sleaterkinney]

Do out a list then, ten tracks that will have me running out tomorrow to shag ma cousin.

(sorry I'm going to bed now<hic>)

 

[danny la rouge]

Do out a list then, ten tracks that will have me running out tomorrow to shag ma cousin.

Country? Or blues?

Country I guess...

OK.

 

[danny la rouge]

Did you say ten, or twenty?

1. San Quentin - Johnny Cash
2. Weary Blues From Waitin' - Hank Williams
3. Do Right Woman - The Flying Burrito Brothers
4. Kiss Of Death - Split Lip Rayfield
5. Ramblin' Man - Isobel Campbell/Mark Lanegan
6. Tecumseh Valley - Townes Van Zandt
7. Sheldon Church Yard - Larry Jon Wilson
8. How Much I've Lied - Gram Parsons
9. All the Same to You - Laura Cantrell
10. A Song For You - Hazeldine
11. Snake Oil - Steve Earle
12. Standing On A Snake - NoahJohn
13. I Am A Lonesome Fugitive - Roy Buchanan
14. Hot Burrito #1 - The Flying Burrito Brothers
15. Alone And Forsaken - Hank Williams
16. Hickory Wind - Emmylou Harris
17. Selfishness In Man - Freakwater
18. Beneath The Rose - Micah P Hinson
19. Van Lear Rose - Loretta Lynn
20. That's The Way Love Goes - Willie Nelson