aam@pucc-h (Dwight McKay) (09/20/84)
(* snap, krakle, pop *)
After re-reading the last few notes on the pop vs. classical music
debate, I thought I might suggest a new angle on the subject.
Where do contemporary groups that mix classical forms and instruments
with more "modern" rhythms and instruments fit into this disscussion? The
group I am thinking of inparticular is Mannheim Steamroller who has recorded
the "Fresh Aire" albums (Five in all) on American Gramaphone. Having seen
some of his piano scores and listened to his music, I'd say much of it uses
classic forms (such as a Tocca) with "new" chord arrangements and some
refreshing "new" rhythms (for example "chocolate fudge" on the first Fresh
Aire album). The sound seems quite "pop" to me but the instruments and forms
are old. I would say this is "classical" music by the "amount of mental
effort required to listen to it" argument. What do you think? Also, what do
you do with groups that are more "commonly" thought of as "pop" yet (on their
early albums at least) worked from a strong classical base such as the
Electric Light Orchestra (aka E.L.O.)?
In search of more disscussion, I'm...
-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-
Dwight McKay, PUCC user services (...ihnp4!pur-ee!Pucc-H:aam)
-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-=:*:=-ag4@pucc-h (Jeff Lewis) (09/21/84)
I've only listened to Fresh Aire's fifth album, but from that (and from
various other similar idea groups, e.g. Sky) it strikes me that these
types of groups lack a good solid background in current popular music
because they don't realize what is old hat (i.e. BORING) from that style.
I mean I enjoy listening to such music every now and then because it does
have a unique flavour (ooh, such imagery!), but then I have hundreds of albums
that offer different aspects of popular music and do it much better. In
other words, I enjoy their music much more when they do something other than
emulate simplistic popular styles.
Of course, Fresh Aire does have a few other albums. Could someone who
has these summarize what Fresh Aire I-V are all about, please. Thanks.
--
Jeff Lewis
{decvax|ucbvax|allegra|seismo|harpo|teklabs|ihnp4}!pur-ee!lewie