This music speaks to me... to you, not so much

[Undertoad]

When it comes to music, what we think is "genuine" is totally a product of our upbringing and experience.

I personally cannot abide anything with a banjo in it, but that's because I was abused by a step-parent and he used a banjo in the act.

No, I don't know why it is that I cannot stand a banjo. I feel like I'm not alone in this. But it's not really a mature, considered opinion. There should be nothing wrong with a banjo. Fine folk instrument, for those people who like that sort of thing, of whom I am not one of 'em.

And I'm not sure why I'm allergic to genuine folk. I was exposed to enough of it as a child. But I think there's something generational about it. Dylan went electric in 1965. I was two. Well, it seemed like a realistic move to me, at the time.

The point is, we all have a different take on what is "genuine" to us, what gives meaning to music for us, and when we say the music that we like is "better" we are actually just trying to confirm our experience of what we think is genuine.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I have no idea what "genuine" music is. I only know what I like to listen to, and that is definitely affected by the people/circumstances the first few times I heard it, as much as pleasing my ear.

[sexobon]

This one seems genuine, and it was written by a banjo player to boot!

[glatt]

My son is in middle school and is currently really excited about discovering music that he likes. Of course, the first music he has been exposed to has been music my wife, who's home all the time, puts on, and that's heavy in the Avett Brothers type stuff. Then I showed him the dusty hard drive of mp3s that we never listen to, and he started combing through that. Tons of stuff on there. But the greatest thing for him has been Pandora on the Roku, because he is discovering new stuff that is similar to the stuff he likes. Then he'll hit Youtube to see more by that band.

So far, he's really into AC/DC, which is amusing to me because that's so old. But he's pulled in other stuff that doesn't really fit. Like he loves Only You by Yaz. Heavy rock to electro pop. I approve of both. I haven't ever been a big Kansas fan, but he likes Kansas. He's into Led Zeppelin. I'll pull something out that's also 70's guitar stuff, and he's not afraid to veto it, which is cool. Like he can't stand the Doobie Brothers.

Basically it's all stuff that you would figure a 12 year old boy would like. But it brings me joy to see him discovering this stuff and rejecting the music we've been playing around the house for the last several years. It's refreshing to have another person turning on the stereo and putting something on, even if it is Thunderstruck for the 20th time.

[infinite monkey]

He can't stand the Doobie Brothers? Hmmph. Well, carry on wayward son!

[Undertoad]

That's really outstanding, and you get to witness and be a part of this discovery, that is just beautiful.

[lumberjim]

Isn't that Kansas?

Spencer has awesome taste in music. Ripley, not so much. Raised in the same house... Dunno why she likes what she likes.... Our tastes have a very small overlap.

It was cool when Spencer was obsessed with Zeppelin. I got to show off my expertise to him. I can name that Zeppelin tune in one note.

[glatt]

My daughter, who is three years older, has also gone through the same process, but she's more reserved and just listens quietly in her room through ear buds. So I haven't witnessed it nearly as much with her. But the boy loves to crank up the stereo, so we all experience it together.

[infinite monkey]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

Isn't that Kansas?

Yes, but glatt said he didn't like Kansas but glatt Jr does...so it was a cruddy joke.

glatt, does your son play an instrument?

[lumberjim]

Oh. Right. I should have gotten that. All this dust in the wind may have obscured my vision.

At least that is what this fool believes

[glatt]

*snort*

Kansas is fine. I just never got into them as a fan.

Yes, glatt jr plays the sax. And he has fun with it. He's not going to be a prodigy or anything, but he has the music in him. He enjoys playing.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by glatt

...But the boy loves to crank up the stereo...

Attaboy, boy!

I have never understood this, but, I must jam, occasionally. I mean, I have a thousand watt stereo, 250 x 4, and I gotta use a great deal, if not all of those watts now and again. It affects me like a drug, it really does.

On the opposite end of that, I must have silence occasionally. Sometimes I can accomplish this on the river or creek bank, sometimes alone in GrandCherokeeOne. Every now and then it requires buying Mom&Popdigr dinner somewhere out of my damn house.

In regard to UT's original post, I believe we're all a product of our environment (to an extent). He was beaten with a banjo, therefore, he don't like banjo music. I, on the other hand, listened to bluegrass while watching porn in my formative years, therefore, I get a hard-on when I hear banjos.

What?

[Griff]

I had a genuine vs not genuine experience last weekend. I saw 7 bands over two nights at the Stone Pony.

Bad Religion was genuine. Offspring was genuine. G Love was genuine. Slightly Stoopid was the least genuine live performance I've ever seen.

[Gravdigr]

Originally Posted by Griff

Slightly Stoopid was the least genuine live performance I've ever seen.

What, were they animatronic, like the Country Bear Jamboree?

[Griff]

Essentially. The other three bands honored the musical forms they sprang from. Slightly Stoopid did not respect the music. They played a warmed over version of rock, blues, and ska music buried under a crap bass line. I found this actual concert footage on youtube. This is pretty much what it actually sounded like but the smartphone fails to deliver the dub bass.