Amhtsa.161 net.music utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhtsa!bso Fri May 7 15:45:08 1982 On Progressive Dinosaurs I should have known that using the term "progressive" would send SOMEONE running to their Webster's. Give me a break. What did he know about rock and roll anyway? I respectfully withdraw my use of the term. Attaching such terms to music only causes misunderstanding (ask Phil Collins, who becomes livid when Genesis is tagged "art rock") (oh no, "art rock", another term!). From this perspective, I must agree with Rich Rosen that it is offensive to call this music "progressive." Let's not call it anything. I have been forced to accept the fact that the music that I love, music that I can honestly feel, music that has meaning to me, no longer stands much of a chance in today's marketplace. However, I also expect that those of opposite opinion will allow me the chance to continue to experience this music whenever possible. I fully realize that many people lack the ability to comprehend 13/8 passages of minor ninth chords, but I can deal with it quite well, thank you. However, it is infinitely ignorant to say that Yes and Genesis music consists entirely of such complex phrases. I think that Howe and Banks and the like realize that I-IV-V is a perfectly reasonable progression, just as long as one does not use it simply for the sake of using it. In fact, it seems obvious (as Rich has indicated) that once you start dissecting music in this way, you've lost your perspective. Musicians criticizing music will intrinsically make this mistake (I am guilty as the rest of you). With this in mind, I would be very interested in the opinions of those who don't know beans about theory. Another thought occurred to me. If I am a "dinosaur-lover" for continuing to listen to "Close to the Edge," what do you call those who happen to like Bach? Music is music, and it doesn't necessarily get better as time goes by. Finally, let me attempt to clarify my "let's keep it this way" comment. I have taken the success of Crimso's "Discipline", Genesis' "Abacab", and (to a lesser degree) the Asia album as a sign that things may get better. For me, anyway. I believe that those who control the industry, record company execs, promoters, etc., those who care only about money, have royally fouled things up. Young people just getting into music are having their perspectives warped by the current environment, one in which only a certain MOR sound receives any serious consideration. Beethoven (a truly progressive composer) was able to set the musical world on its ear a couple hundred years ago. The way things are now, he'd probably never make it, and wind up selling life insurance. And so on. Bert Olsson MH 7D307 mhtsa!bso ----------------------------------------------------------------- gopher://quux.org/ conversion by John Goerzen of http://communication.ucsd.edu/A-News/ This Usenet Oldnews Archive article may be copied and distributed freely, provided: 1. There is no money collected for the text(s) of the articles. 2. The following notice remains appended to each copy: The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996 Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.