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

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