NDRU said:

There's never going to be a worldwide (or even Western) consensus on one band/artist, because anyone truly great has a distinctive sound that separates them from being mediocre, and having a distinctive sound means that it's going to grate on some people.

I quite liked that line in Wayne's World: "Led Zeppelin didn't write songs everybody liked. They left that to the BeeGees"

Would it be wrong to say that the artists who came closest were simply the biggest sellers?

Maybe it would be wrong, actually. Garth Brooks sold a lot, but probably doesn't appeal to as diverse a fan base as some other, more eclectic artists.
[Edited 5/9/07 16:20pm]

Krytonite said:

I can't think of ANYONE that doesn't like Bob.

Militant said:

i'm not a fan. i don't have an aversion to him or his music, i just never have been able to get into reggae, and when i think of bob marley i unfortunately think of pothead frat boys i went to college with (not bob's fault, i know).

Anx said:

Brotha Bob be leadin da uprisin of dem frata man!

NDRU said:

ok

Anx said:

When I was in high school I went to a frat party and I remember all the spoiled white future-businessmen pumping their fists to Fight the Power.
[Edited 5/9/07 16:51pm]

RZR said:

That makes absolutely no sense.

Moonbeam said:

No, it really doesn't. That's what I'm saying. It's like being into an artist as a hobby, separated from the music, rather than appreciating music in general. As if the artist's music is irrelevant to being into them, rather than having a love of music in general. That's what I think when I hear people say they hate the Beatles or Aretha Franklin. That they don't like music. They're just into specific artist worship.

RZR said:

It still makes no sense.

Moonbeam said:

I know. That's what I'm saying.

RZR said:

the password is WHAT?

RZR said:

Taste is subjective. Just because somebody doesn't like the "untouchables" doesn't mean they aren't an avid fan of music. It's actually rather insulting to insinuate that.

Moonbeam said:

If you're insulted, I apologize.

I guess that I'm going to lose a lot of musical cred now, but I really don't like James Brown's music. I know people will find it strange that I really dig Prince, but absolutely can't stand JB's, seeing how much Prince was influenced by Brown. I'm just not a fan of the horn-spiked funk stuff. I love the more electronic stuff that Prince put out in the '80s as well as the rock tendencies that his music has always had. Even when Prince puts out stuff like "The Work" or "Prettyman", I'm nonplussed.

I know Brown was an electrifying performer, that his influence reaches almost every style of music, that he was an innovator... I know all this, but when I hear "I Got You (I Feel Good)", "I Got the Feeling", or any of his other big hits, I just don't dig it. In fact, I hate it!

I would never say that his stuff is worthless or that he doesn't belong in the esteem that he's in, but I do have to cop to not liking James Brown even one little bit.

Axchi696 said:

Listen to "The Payback" or "I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me" and get back to me.

Axchi696 said:

*GASP*

GangstaFam said:

TAWK!!!

Axchi696 said:

I know what you're talking about. I'm not really big into horns-led funk either. I much prefer synth-funk. While I do like a few James Brown songs ("It's a Man's Man's Man's World"), I never get the urge to buy his music. I do feel that I may end up liking it more if I invested an interest in it, though.

Honestly, I wasn't raised on 70's R&B/Funk/ or old enough to appreciate it when it was new like a lot of people here. With a few exceptions, I really don't like much of it. Don't like the Jackson 5 (can tolerate some Jacksons stuff, though), don't like Stevie Wonder, don't like James Brown.

Sacrilige, I know. What can I say, I'm a rock guy at heart.

Axchi696 said:

Well my friend

Prince is funk...

And funk can do airthang

Axchi696 said:

I seem to have a block for any rock/pop/soul music from before the 70s barring a few artists. Maybe it's the production or instrumentation that's impeding me from enjoying it, but there are only about 5 artists whose music from before the 70s I like.

funkpill said:

Yeah, I know Prince is funk. I like Prince. I don't like James Brown. Much of my problem has to do with instrumentation. Much of it has to do with my aversion to hearing someone say "Get on up" ad naseum in a song. I think that little Michael Jackson didn't sing, but he screamed. "ABC" and "The Love You Save" are two of the most annoying songs of all time. Therefore I don't like the Jackson 5.

I do like Marvin Gaye, I do like the Delfonics, I do like some Al Green. I guess I like 70's soul more than 70's funk.

Plus, I never said I was really into funk. I'm not.

GangstaFam said:

That was one of the first 45s I bought with my own money.
Played the grooves out of that record along with the b/side There Was A Time.

Bass
Lookee here
Bass huh
Tim, help me out Tim
Lemme hear ya walk a lil bit Tim

Good god huh
Good god huh
Alright, aw, aaaaahhhh.

Wait a minute Tim
Lemme get this lil thing together over here.

Good stuff.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Axchi696 said:

I get what you're saying. And James definitely wasn't about deep, meaningful, poetic lyrics.

But it seems you're judging him based on the few songs you know. And just like Prince, if someone thought that all he was about was "Kiss" and "Little Red Corvette", they'd be missing the bigger picture. In JB's early singles, his voice is gorgeous. He almost sounds like a woman at times, it's so tender and sweet. Check out some of his 50's hits to see what I'm talking about. And by the end of the 60's his groove got so tight and so deep, it's almost frightening. If your impression of him is based on "I Feel Good" and "Sex Machine" alone, I urge you to check out some of his extended versions, basically anything that says Parts 1 & 2 & sometimes 3. You might be surprised.

Anx said:

From what I understand he would sing or vocally instruct the musicians on what he wanted them to play.

The lyrics are what tripped me out. Most are just a stream of consciousness thing.
I remember on some show, someone just decided to read the lyrics to one of his tunes.
Pretty funny without any music.

*This is not to discount the musical arrangement contributions of cats like Nat Jones, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley and a few others i'm forgetting at the moment.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431
[Edited 5/10/07 8:19am]

Militant said:

Ugh. Can't stand reggae.

Reggae is fucking hideous.

Not that I dig a lot of reggae, but Marley was an outstanding and inspiring songwriter.