What do you think the state of music will be in the future. Let's be honest now. This is not the 70's and 80's. There's not the plethora of abundantly talented musicians and artists as it was then. What do you think the state of popular music will be in the future?True music(music that is created not manufactured) is definitely not hip. I dont even think that consumers demands it anymore(if they ever did) therefore it seems as if the disposable type of music is what is in and what is here to stay. Let's face the facts. Had Prince been just coming on the scene today, he may not have made it because he is too talented and musically diverse for todays music listener. His music tends to be a bit complex. I truly beleive that Prince "dumbed down" his MUSICOLOGY CD in order for it to have cross over appeal. What does that say about the future of popular music? Is it insulting to the avg listener to think that an artist would have to be very basic in his music in order for them to be able to be appealed to?
I heard a song recently that said "Everybody in the club gettin tipsy". I then went to Billboard and saw that this song was in the top 10 on both the Hot 100 AND r&b charts. Do you think people will ever appreciate real music or will real music/musicians remain under ground while the masses indulge themselves with superficial created "noise." I dont think that the average listener ever DEMANDED real music over the years, but I think that people in the 60's and 70's understood what real music was and appreciated it at that time. today, it seems to be such a lacking concerning true music and the appreciation for musicianship. It seems as if "real" music is deemed "old fashioned" and that everything today has to be about a phat beat and/or an image. Will we ever get back to the place where we allow the music to rest on its own laurels instead of creating "disposable" noise. Will the masses ever go back to appreciating true music and musicians?
[This message was edited Fri May 28 17:14:52 2004 by DigitalGardin]

well right now the "people" like hearing manufacted sound, and the rock bands still play there own instruments which is good to see. Hopefully some day people will not wanna hear manufacted crap, and get there sense back.

I think, if you go solely by the uber-popular acts, it's easy to get discouraged. But, I believe there are still quite enough talented folks out there to eke out a living being creative. (I'm biased on that point, admittedly.)

Also understand that Prince has to paint a dire picture of being one of "few remaining" true musicians in a wasteland of wanna-be cats who can't play a lick on an instrument. That kind of fictional exclusivity is part of his sales pitch that he's offering a unique experience in the form of artistic mastery.

The reality is far different from that.

On Wednesday night, I caught the Wooten Brothers band at a Nashville club. Those of you familiar with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will be able to attest to the mastery of Victor and Roy Wooten on their instruments of choice. The term "virtuoso" has been used to describe them, and I learned today that Reggie Wooten, who led Wednesday's band in that N'ville nightclub taught them how to play.

I saw Reggie do things on that guitar (at lightning speed, mind you) that Prince could only dream of doing. The Wootens are like a pack of musical prodigy-wolves who've achieved that mastery through hard work. I was talking to Joe Wooten, who played keyboards (the band did killer versions of "let's work" and "pop life" that were jaw-droppingly funky and melodic) and he explained how much hard work goes into their artistry. His point was that there are equal parts hard work and natural gifting in the excellent work they do.

I think that kind of artistry (which is the kind I believe you were asking about in your thread) will always be around. There will always be artists who achieve critical acclaim but fail to garner the huge media attention of, say, a Britney Spears. And, there will always be a Spears to use ... um, other means ... to sell records.

I also think we have yet to see just how intelligent, honest use of the Internet will help lesser-known, even independent artists. I think it's up to the public, however, to stop stealing/illegally downloading music ("Hurray! Bliss for free! " ) and to start finding legitimate ways to put the money in deserving artists' hands. The resulting atmosphere of goods-for-services will bring about the real transformation Prince seems to be pursuing.