Main Forums => Artists => Topic started by: Walkerman on April 08, 2016, 06:20:30 AM

Title: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 08, 2016, 06:20:30 AM
Paul, Eric, Willie, Van, Townsend ......  There are still some great ones, but they are really old.  Sadly, there are no giants in the wings to take their place.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: tuffythepug on April 08, 2016, 11:30:15 AM
I'd add Leonard Cohen to the list.  He isn't all over the radio but he's been one of the most prolific songwriters and artists of our generation.  And one of my favorites.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: L07 Shooting Star on April 09, 2016, 12:27:22 AM
Depends on one's definition of greatness, and maybe what genre, I suppose.  Springsteen, Fogerty, Leon Russell, Beck, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, David Gilmour, Page, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Guy??  Lots of great ones left and I've only scratched the surface.  As far as giants waiting in the wings, I can't think of any at the moment but there must be a few out there no?
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 09, 2016, 07:08:51 AM
Well, what better than to use my 10K post to say, "How can you forget the master?" Bob Dylan is alive and well, approaching his 75th birthday, and still making great music.   :cheers 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 09, 2016, 07:25:10 AM
Quote from: ducktrapper on April 09, 2016, 07:08:51 AM
Well, what better than to use my 10K post to say, "How can you forget the master?" Bob Dylan is alive and well, approaching his 75th birthday, and still making great music.   :cheers  

I was wondering when we would hear from you.  Of course, I am partial to the "so-cal" sound of the 60's, and I am living in close proximity to Crosby, Hillman and Browne.  Of course, they live on top of the hill, and I live down in the flatland.  In fact, I have run into Hillman when we pickup guitars from our tech.  John Jorgenson has played one of my Larrivees .... Gave it a big thumbs up.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: bobw on April 09, 2016, 07:40:23 AM
What about James Taylor???   and Roy Clark ????
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Danny on April 09, 2016, 08:29:30 AM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 09, 2016, 07:25:10 AM
I was wondering when we would hear from you.  Of course, I am partial to the "so-cal" sound of the 60's, and I am living in close proximity to Crosby, Hillman and Browne.  Of course, they live on top of the hill, and I live down in the flatland.  In fact, I have run into Hillman when we pickup guitars from our tech.  John Jorgenson has played one of my Larrivees .... Gave it a big thumbs up.
Jackson Browne for sure.  Neil Young and  Robbie Robertson as well.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Strings4Him on April 09, 2016, 09:54:45 AM
I think this thread is a better indication of our collective, average age  :winkin:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: George on April 09, 2016, 12:39:03 PM
Quote from: Strings4Him on April 09, 2016, 09:54:45 AM
I think this thread is a better indication of our collective, average age  :winkin:

Probably, but we old guys not only loved it, we lived it too...  :wink:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Danny on April 09, 2016, 02:04:18 PM
Slow Hand
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 09, 2016, 02:06:41 PM
Quote from: dependan on April 09, 2016, 08:29:30 AM
     Jackson Browne for sure.  Neil Young and  Robbie Robertson as well.
Yes .... Neil lives north of here by Santa Cruz.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Caleb on April 09, 2016, 03:52:45 PM
Jeff Lynne.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 09, 2016, 06:08:22 PM
Quote from: dependan on April 09, 2016, 02:04:18 PM
Slow Hand

That would be Eric in my op.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: unclrob on April 09, 2016, 09:43:39 PM
ME!!!!!!!!!!!I thought I'd be daed by 30 and look I'm 60 and still a GREAT.....NO....THE GREATEST OF ALLL TIME................BRAHAHAHAHAGAGAFGDJFKYBNIJI....opps. :wave
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: bobw on April 10, 2016, 07:32:38 AM
Quote from: unclrob on April 09, 2016, 09:43:39 PM
ME!!!!!!!!!!!I thought I'd be daed by 30 and look I'm 60 and still a GREAT.....NO....THE GREATEST OF ALLL TIME................BRAHAHAHAHAGAGAFGDJFKYBNIJI....opps. :wave

:bgrin:      :arrow      :bgrin:      :wacko:      :bgrin:     Love you Unclrob...    :thumbsup     you are the best....
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: fitness1 on April 10, 2016, 08:45:12 AM
Quote from: unclrob on April 09, 2016, 09:43:39 PM
ME!!!!!!!!!!!I thought I'd be daed by 30 and look I'm 60 and still a GREAT.....NO....THE GREATEST OF ALLL TIME................BRAHAHAHAHAGAGAFGDJFKYBNIJI....opps. :wave


You da man..... :ph34r:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 10, 2016, 05:05:44 PM
Quote from: Strings4Him on April 09, 2016, 09:54:45 AM
I think this thread is a better indication of our collective, average age  :winkin:

Sure but "the greatest artist still alive" might just rule out Adele, Taylor and Miley. Or, at least, should for the time being.  :beer
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: George on April 10, 2016, 05:30:52 PM
If you are going there we need to include Stevie Nicks for sure...  Personally, I think the other three will make the list too...
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: teh on April 10, 2016, 08:13:18 PM
I would add Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, John Prine, Leo Kottke and Arlo Guthrie to that list of artists who I saw in my youth and who are still performing and who have ollectively left us with a great body of work.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Danny on April 10, 2016, 08:20:13 PM
Paul McCartney and Ringo.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Mikeymac on April 11, 2016, 02:38:47 PM
Quote from: Strings4Him on April 09, 2016, 09:54:45 AM
I think this thread is a better indication of our collective, average age  :winkin:

Indeed.

If I may stick my neck out, a younger artist who gets lampooned a lot but is actually a great songwriter, singer, and guitar slinger - who I almost cringe to admit I like (most of the time) is John Mayer. You can't deny his success, whether you like his style, etc. I'm probably not a big fan of his personal lifestyle and politics, but that would be true of many artists already mentioned in this thread...

...give a listen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_mSt8ialy0)
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: L07 Shooting Star on April 11, 2016, 09:07:00 PM
Quote from: dependan on April 10, 2016, 08:20:13 PM
Paul McCartney and Ringo.

Yup.  The list is still pretty long.  Did anyone mention Willie yet?  Booker T Jones?
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: unclrob on April 11, 2016, 10:01:13 PM
Steve Cropper,Ry Cooder,David Lindly,Stephen Stills,Bonnie Raitt.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 12, 2016, 07:08:43 AM
Quote from: L07 Shooting Star on April 11, 2016, 09:07:00 PM
Yup.  The list is still pretty long.  Did anyone mention Willie yet?  Booker T Jones?

You will notice Paul and Willie in my OP.  Now, I know there are lots of good artists  today ..... But I am referring to the "Giants."  And I believe there is currently no one on the scene that is even close to being their equals.  And I wonder if there ever will be.  I think part of what made these guys so great was the times they were part of.  The sixties was a decade that had so much going on, and music was more integrated into our lives then than it ever was before, or ever has been since.  Anyhow, JMHO.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 12, 2016, 07:18:10 AM
Seems to me that once we've gotten around to naming everyone who is still alive, the thread becomes as meaningless as, "What's the best string?"   :wacko:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Queequeg on April 12, 2016, 09:40:32 AM
I won't pretend to know who the greatest artist is. And I hope you don't consider this a thread jack.
But looking at the greatest year, consider 1971, when there were so many great artists who were so productive.
The Allman Bros.-Fillmore East
Aretha Franklin-Live at the Fillmore
The Band-Cahoots
Beach Boys - Surf's Up
Carol King-Tapestry
Cat Stevens- Tea for the Tillerman
C, S, N & Y-4 Way Street
David Bowie-Hunky Dory
David Crosby-If I Could Only Remember My Name
Doors-LA Woman
Elton John-Madman Across the Water
Genesis-Nursery Crime
Harry Nilson-Nilson Schmilsson
Issac Hayes Theme from Shaft
James Brown-revolution of the mind
James Gang-Thirds
James Taylor- Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon
Jefferson Airplane-Bark
John Hartford-Aero Plain
John Lennon-Imagine
King Crimson-Islands
Laura Nyro-Gonna Take a Miracle
Little Feat-eponymous
Mahavishnu Orchestra.-Inner Mounting Flame
Marvin Gaye- What's Goin On
Miles Davis-Live/Evil
Pink Floyd-Meddle
Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers
Santana-III
Sly & the Family Stone-There's a Riot Goin On


Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 12, 2016, 11:41:13 AM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 12, 2016, 09:40:32 AM
I won't pretend to know who the greatest artist is. And I hope you don't consider this a thread jack.
But looking at the greatest year, consider 1971, when there were so many great artists who were so productive.
The Allman Bros.-Fillmore East
Aretha Franklin-Live at the Fillmore
The Band-Cahoots
Beach Boys - Surf's Up
Carol King-Tapestry
Cat Stevens- Tea for the Tillerman
C, S, N & Y-4 Way Street
David Bowie-Hunky Dory
David Crosby-If I Could Only Remember My Name
Doors-LA Woman
Elton John-Madman Across the Water
Genesis-Nursery Crime
Harry Nilson-Nilson Schmilsson
Issac Hayes Theme from Shaft
James Brown-revolution of the mind
James Gang-Thirds
James Taylor- Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon
Jefferson Airplane-Bark
John Hartford-Aero Plain
John Lennon-Imagine
King Crimson-Islands
Laura Nyro-Gonna Take a Miracle
Little Feat-eponymous
Mahavishnu Orchestra.-Inner Mounting Flame
Marvin Gaye- What's Goin On
Miles Davis-Live/Evil
Pink Floyd-Meddle
Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers
Santana-III
Sly & the Family Stone-There's a Riot Goin On




I sure do notice that too many of them are gone.

Duane Allman and Berry Oakley
Rick, Richard and Levon
Carl and Dennis Wilson
Bowie
Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek
Nilsson
James Brown
Paul Kantner and Spencer Dryden
Hartford
Lennon
Lowell George and Ritchie Hayward
Marvin Gaye
Miles
Syd Barrett and Richard Wright
Brian Jones
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: carruth on April 12, 2016, 03:15:54 PM
And the greatest musician of the last century was..............Louis Armstrong. 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 12, 2016, 06:56:33 PM
There may not be giants because of the leveling of the popularity field due to social media and the Internet. Really ok with that, but it does take away from the collective social experience of music to some degree.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: DaveyO on April 12, 2016, 09:16:04 PM
one of the best I think is Peter Frampton.
great player and songwriter
dave
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: photodork on April 13, 2016, 12:35:12 AM
I'd like to suggest a couple of names.
my all time favourite mark knopfler, George Benson and Bruce Cockburn.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 13, 2016, 07:13:46 AM
The title of this thread implies something that isn't necessarily true: that the greatest artists are all dying off and that there's no hope for future artistry.  At least the 'still alive' comment seems to point that way.

It's very likely the greatest artist still alive is being born right as we read this thread. 

Now, if the thread title stated something about 'Who do you feel is the greatest artist that was popular in our youth?' then there is an eventual end and the 'still alive' comment applies.  In reading the original post, I think that's the sentiment being sought.

But the fact is that there are great artists being born every minute and the privilege we have living in these times is that we have the joy of discovery through the internet, instead of being given a limited menu through the major record companies and who they decide will be popular.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Caleb on April 13, 2016, 09:22:04 AM
Something I've been thinking of recently is that it's not as big a deal to be a great guitar player as it once was.  Just browse YouTube and you'll see thousands of young people playing very well.  It's almost boring at this point to watch it, at least for me.  I saw a clip the other day of a teenage girl playing a Steve Vai tune note for note.  That would've blown my mind a decade ago, but at this point it's just the way it is.

One thing is that we have the opportunity to see all these folks playing in their bedrooms via the Internet, where years ago that just wasn't possible. But the Internet has also created the ability for people to learn online and get a lot better than in times past, when a person might go over a certain piece for months and never nail it. But now you can see someone do it, and voila!, you have it down.  It seems to have cheapened things a bit.  
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 13, 2016, 10:19:49 AM
Quote from: Caleb on April 13, 2016, 09:22:04 AM
Something I've been thinking of recently is that it's not as big a deal to be a great guitar player as it once was.  Just browse YouTube and you'll see thousands of young people playing very well.  It's almost boring at this point to watch it, at least for me.  I saw a clip the other day of a teenage girl playing a Steve Vai tune note for note.  That would've blown my mind a decade ago, but at this point it's just the way it is.

One thing is that we have the opportunity to see all these folks playing in their bedrooms via the Internet, where years ago that just wasn't possible. But the Internet has also created the ability for people to learn online and get a lot better than in times past, when a person might go over a certain piece for months and never nail it. But now you can see someone do it, and voila!, you have it down.  It seems to have cheapened things a bit.  

Sure. Technique has become cheap and, in itself, unimpressive. Soul has always been rare, does not depend on technique and makes you feel something regardless of style. By the way, guys like Steve Vai always left me cold.  :cheers 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: tuffythepug on April 13, 2016, 11:21:03 AM
Quote from: ducktrapper on April 13, 2016, 10:19:49 AM
Sure. Technique has become cheap and, in itself, unimpressive. Soul has always been rare, does not depend on technique and makes you feel something regardless of style. By the way, guys like Steve Vai always left me cold.  :cheers 

Me too.  Satriani doesn't do it for me either.  Flash and showmanship take a backseat to the sublte genius of someone like Mark Knoffler in my humble opinion
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 13, 2016, 12:00:53 PM
Quote from: tuffythepug on April 13, 2016, 11:21:03 AM
Me too.  Satriani doesn't do it for me either.  Flash and showmanship take a backseat to the sublte genius of someone like Mark Knoffler in my humble opinion

Agreed although I don't mind some of Satriani's work. Actually, as it turns out, if you want to be content as a player, regardless of ability, your favorite guitarist should be yourself.  :cheers
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Caleb on April 13, 2016, 12:23:06 PM
I'm not a shredder or a fan of it, really, but I do believe Vai plays with plenty of soul, and showmanship for that matter.  Me, I'm a lifelong amateur, mediocre player and like it that way.
:wave
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Danny on April 13, 2016, 12:59:50 PM
Quote from: photodork on April 13, 2016, 12:35:12 AM
I'd like to suggest a couple of names.
my all time favourite mark knopfler, George Benson and Bruce Cockburn.
Mark Knofler deserves to be considered for sure. Someone who had/has an impact on me is Justin Hayward. In 1967 he brought the Moody Blues to a whole new level. He and John Lodge are still out there touring.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 13, 2016, 03:00:57 PM
Quote from: Caleb on April 13, 2016, 12:23:06 PM
I'm not a shredder or a fan of it, really, but I do believe Vai plays with plenty of soul, and showmanship for that matter.  Me, I'm a lifelong amateur, mediocre player and like it that way.
:wave

It's all a matter of taste after all and it's silly to dispute taste. I didn't mind some of the things he did with Zappa. Of course, Frank ran a band with an iron hand and operated with controlled chaos. I just remember seeing Vai play with a three neck guitar and I couldn't stop myself from laughing at how ludicrous it was. But that's just me. Great oogly moogly!   
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 13, 2016, 10:52:46 PM
I've had the fortune of being to Guitar Town in 2009 and 2015 at Copper Mountain Resort, CO.  In 2009, Tommy Emmanuel was the headliner for the acoustic day.  Insanely good.  Just plain silly good and looked like he was having a blast.

This past year, my wife got us tix for Guitar Town as a surprise present to me after all these years of wanting to go back but for whatever reason could not.

It's a small festival, attended by perhaps 5000 people.  Vai was the headliner for the electric day.  I was quite looking forward to it.  I had seen Vai on the Malmsteem/Satch/Vai G3 tour way back when.  I liked Satch the best out of those three back then.

This past year, we stayed for about 3 songs of Vai's set because it was simply punishingly, brutally loud.  If there was any virtuosity demonstrated, it was unfortunately masked by the main PA speakers being driven to mechanical clipping for the entirety of his set.  I had earplugs with me, which I had worn most of the day through several other electric guitarists' sets with some enjoyment. 

Robben Ford played immediately before Vai and his set was pretty loud, but with earplugs, it was musically enjoyable and the mains were not in break-up.

Vai on the other hand, the crackle of speaker clipping matched the goofy faces he made the whole time.

My favorite of the electric day was a guy from the UK called Matt Schofield.  Really classy heavy blues.  Definitely check his stuff out if you are a Bonamassa fan.

I dig the melodic instrumental guitar rock, but I think there are several that out Vai, Vai and Satch these days.  One guy from Bulgaria is my favorite the past 10 years or so, Dimitar Nalbantov. Just a better composer from a sense of melody and interesting changes in the songs.  He writes songs that would have been great in the late 80's early 90's movie themes:  Here's an example of just such a song https://youtu.be/vZw220v4YQQ

Dimi's stuff is great for long road trips as a soundtrack that has no lyrics but locks in with the scenery in sublime ways.

Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Caleb on April 14, 2016, 09:14:13 AM
Quote from: ducktrapper on April 13, 2016, 03:00:57 PM
It's all a matter of taste after all and it's silly to dispute taste. I didn't mind some of the things he did with Zappa. Of course, Frank ran a band with an iron hand and operated with controlled chaos. I just remember seeing Vai play with a three neck guitar and I couldn't stop myself from laughing at how ludicrous it was. But that's just me. Great oogly moogly!   
Agreed.  Wasn't trying to dispute taste. Guess I was saying that "soul" comes in different forms. I don't care for the majority of what Vai or any other shredder does, but I would never accuse them of not playing it from the gut. 

When I see most any great guitar player anymore, I usually just sort of shrug.  It's all been done.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 14, 2016, 09:17:31 AM
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 13, 2016, 07:13:46 AM
The title of this thread implies something that isn't necessarily true: that the greatest artists are all dying off and that there's no hope for future artistry.  At least the 'still alive' comment seems to point that way.

It's very likely the greatest artist still alive is being born right as we read this thread. 

Now, if the thread title stated something about 'Who do you feel is the greatest artist that was popular in our youth?' then there is an eventual end and the 'still alive' comment applies.  In reading the original post, I think that's the sentiment being sought.

But the fact is that there are great artists being born every minute and the privilege we have living in these times is that we have the joy of discovery through the internet, instead of being given a limited menu through the major record companies and who they decide will be popular.

Really?  Then if that is true, why haven't we seen a constant parade of greatest artists?  I cannot think of a single artist around today who tops those of the fifties and sixties.  And, I am talking giants, not favorites.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 14, 2016, 11:55:13 PM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 14, 2016, 09:17:31 AM
Really?  Then if that is true, why haven't we seen a constant parade of greatest artists?  I cannot think of a single artist around today who tops those of the fifties and sixties.  And, I am talking giants, not favorites.

Walkerman - I doubt that we will come to agreement.  What would be interesting would be to add a poll to THIS thread as to age.  My guess average age of the respondents of the 'parades' comments, is 50+.

So, I think that's one reason why you haven't seen a constant parade of greatest artists.  Another reason is that there was a huge shift in the popularity (or lack thereof) for acoustic and electric guitar playing in the early to mid 1980s.  This was my teen years, and I remember the doomsday prediction that guitar playing in general was going to die and the music world would be dominated by keyboards.  That WAS the case for quite awhile - probably a good 10 years.  Think of the iconic 'guitar-centric' bands from the 80's and even Eddie Van Halen did the dabbling in keyboards with Jump and other schlock.  Europe's "The Final Countdown" another example where the most famous sound in the entire song is a brass-patch keyboard dippity doo.  This shift to popular focus on keyboards was enough to skip an entire generation of guitar-centric music.  Since this is a guitar-centric forum, there's going to be pretty significant gap of those recognized by the forum participants as artists.  Someone up the thread mentioned John Mayer.  Killer player across several styles as well as a great songwriter.  He gets lots of hate partially because he seems to also snag all the pretty ladies as well.  I would say Brad Paisley is another example of someone that can smoke the rhythm/lead guitar all the while writing the tunes and singing at the same time.  Dang great artist.  I don't care so much for Paisley's stuff, but I cannot deny his greatness or his artistry.

Then there is the issue of the HUGE difference to how music is marketed now vs. 50 years ago which nearly ensures that 'giants', won't happen today or even in the past 10 years or so.  Many of the greats listed here got there greatness because the record companies decided that you and the general public should hear them.  Not taking away from their artistry, but the exposure to the millions was significantly more controlled by the record companies than it is today.  Today, with the internet, you can choose to find greats in your own preferred little niche - record companies be damned.


There's also a problem with the first two words of the thread title:

Greatest (definition?)
Artist (definition?)

So, while you may disagree with me, I do think that the way these two words are interpreted, the shift in musical style and even instrument choice, as well as how we consume music these days, precludes wide-spread 'greatness' in terms of general popularity and would therefore prevent long parades of names of younger artists.

One of the greatest artists I think belongs on a list is Andrew Peterson, in terms of his long-lasting excellent songwriting, great playing and beauty that he has brought to this world.  There might be one or two people on this thread that have heard of him.  But probably not.  His subject matter is clearly faith-based, his genre too narrow, etc. to become popular in the general public.  Besides his musicianship, his writing has garnered probably more wide-spread knowledge as he writes pre-teen fiction that has become quite popular amongst a broader audience.  An incredible artist.  Here's one of my favorite songs of his, recorded at a coffeehouse - it has a few minutes of context talking ahead of it.  Sorry, he's playing a Taylor in this one:

https://youtu.be/o0SBamE107Y
https://youtu.be/D4e3EXy3nFE is a different one that chokes me up when I listen to it.

You won't hear of him in the general public as a musician.  No less an artist.  His greatness is in a different quadrant than Waylon or Willie, or Eric or Jimi.  No less an artist.

I don't discount the artistry nor the greatness of any of those mentioned earlier - I just cannot come to the point that artistry will be missing from the future.  What a doomed future awaits if that is the case.







Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: L07 Shooting Star on April 15, 2016, 12:21:10 AM
Then there are the still-living classical music composers/conductors and those that write music and soundtracks for the movies we enjoy.  They are certainly great artists and musicians as well.  Maybe the greatest of all.   As I said before, depends on the genre you are talking about.  Popular music?  Rock music?  Guitar music?  Classical music?  Country music?
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 15, 2016, 07:14:51 AM
To quote The Incredibles, "If everyone is special, then no one is."  :whistling:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Caleb on April 15, 2016, 12:03:12 PM
I don't know if anyone mentioned him, but Slash is a really great musician.  I've been going through some YouTube vids with one of my children, showing some of the music I liked when I was younger, and watched some GnR stuff.  Some of Slash's guitar work is flat out excellent: very melodic and unpretentious.  His first solo in November Rain is almost violin-like. 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 15, 2016, 07:16:49 PM
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 14, 2016, 11:55:13 PM
Walkerman - I doubt that we will come to agreement.  What would be interesting would be to add a poll to THIS thread as to age.  My guess average age of the respondents of the 'parades' comments, is 50+.

So, I think that's one reason why you haven't seen a constant parade of greatest artists.  Another reason is that there was a huge shift in the popularity (or lack thereof) for acoustic and electric guitar playing in the early to mid 1980s.  This was my teen years, and I remember the doomsday prediction that guitar playing in general was going to die and the music world would be dominated by keyboards.  That WAS the case for quite awhile - probably a good 10 years.  Think of the iconic 'guitar-centric' bands from the 80's and even Eddie Van Halen did the dabbling in keyboards with Jump and other schlock.  Europe's "The Final Countdown" another example where the most famous sound in the entire song is a brass-patch keyboard dippity doo.  This shift to popular focus on keyboards was enough to skip an entire generation of guitar-centric music.  Since this is a guitar-centric forum, there's going to be pretty significant gap of those recognized by the forum participants as artists.  Someone up the thread mentioned John Mayer.  Killer player across several styles as well as a great songwriter.  He gets lots of hate partially because he seems to also snag all the pretty ladies as well.  I would say Brad Paisley is another example of someone that can smoke the rhythm/lead guitar all the while writing the tunes and singing at the same time.  Dang great artist.  I don't care so much for Paisley's stuff, but I cannot deny his greatness or his artistry.

Then there is the issue of the HUGE difference to how music is marketed now vs. 50 years ago which nearly ensures that 'giants', won't happen today or even in the past 10 years or so.  Many of the greats listed here got there greatness because the record companies decided that you and the general public should hear them.  Not taking away from their artistry, but the exposure to the millions was significantly more controlled by the record companies than it is today.  Today, with the internet, you can choose to find greats in your own preferred little niche - record companies be damned.


There's also a problem with the first two words of the thread title:

Greatest (definition?)
Artist (definition?)

So, while you may disagree with me, I do think that the way these two words are interpreted, the shift in musical style and even instrument choice, as well as how we consume music these days, precludes wide-spread 'greatness' in terms of general popularity and would therefore prevent long parades of names of younger artists.

One of the greatest artists I think belongs on a list is Andrew Peterson, in terms of his long-lasting excellent songwriting, great playing and beauty that he has brought to this world.  There might be one or two people on this thread that have heard of him.  But probably not.  His subject matter is clearly faith-based, his genre too narrow, etc. to become popular in the general public.  Besides his musicianship, his writing has garnered probably more wide-spread knowledge as he writes pre-teen fiction that has become quite popular amongst a broader audience.  An incredible artist.  Here's one of my favorite songs of his, recorded at a coffeehouse - it has a few minutes of context talking ahead of it.  Sorry, he's playing a Taylor in this one:

https://youtu.be/o0SBamE107Y
https://youtu.be/D4e3EXy3nFE is a different one that chokes me up when I listen to it.

You won't hear of him in the general public as a musician.  No less an artist.  His greatness is in a different quadrant than Waylon or Willie, or Eric or Jimi.  No less an artist.

I don't discount the artistry nor the greatness of any of those mentioned earlier - I just cannot come to the point that artistry will be missing from the future.  What a doomed future awaits if that is the case.









There have been a lot of giants in a lot of musical genres throughout the ages ..... Certainly Beethoven, Motzart are giants of the classical age, Verdi in opera, Segovia in Classical.  Cash, Williams, Nelson in country.  I cannot think of a giant in any musical genre since the 70's-80's.  Fifty years from now, folks will still be listening to all of the afore mentioned folks.  Beyoncé or jay-z ...... Not so much.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 16, 2016, 08:45:02 AM
The gods must be reading this thread. Just announced:  Coachella Music festival this October. Two acts per night on the center stage.  Full sets, not abbreviated "festival sets." With full touring bands, not "acoustic sets."

Day one: Rolling Stones followed by Bob Dylan
Day two: Neil Young followed by Paul McCartney
Day three: Pink Floyd (Roger Waters version) followed by The Who

Holy crap.  Can anyone say "sweet smell of colitis rising up thru the air" ...

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-coachella-mega-rock-concert-20160415-story.html
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 16, 2016, 12:34:52 PM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 16, 2016, 08:45:02 AM
The gods must be reading this thread. Just announced:  Coachella Music festival this October. Two acts per night on the center stage.  Full sets, not abbreviated "festival sets." With full touring bands, not "acoustic sets."

Day one: Rolling Stones followed by Bob Dylan
Day two: Neil Young followed by Paul McCartney
Day three: Pink Floyd (Roger Waters version) followed by The Who

Holy crap.  Can anyone say "sweet smell of colitis rising up thru the air" ...

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-coachella-mega-rock-concert-20160415-story.html


Wow, it would be difficult to dispute the greatness of that lineup. Even a much depleted Who. Six out of six ain't bad.  :thumb
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Strings4Him on April 16, 2016, 03:20:21 PM
It might be easier to answer this question if you allow for different styles of music (i.e. classical, jazz, blues, fingerstyle, et cetera).
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 16, 2016, 06:17:25 PM
Quote from: Strings4Him on April 16, 2016, 03:20:21 PM
It might be easier to answer this question if you allow for different styles of music (i.e. classical, jazz, blues, fingerstyle, et cetera).

I am guessing you did not read my post just three posts before yours.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 16, 2016, 11:05:23 PM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 15, 2016, 07:16:49 PM
There have been a lot of giants in a lot of musical genres throughout the ages ..... Certainly Beethoven, Motzart are giants of the classical age, Verdi in opera, Segovia in Classical.  Cash, Williams, Nelson in country.  I cannot think of a giant in any musical genre since the 70's-80's.  Fifty years from now, folks will still be listening to all of the afore mentioned folks.  Beyoncé or jay-z ...... Not so much.

I choose to find artists, not let mass media tell me who they are.  The world is your oyster, there are so many great artists from the past 30 years that it's mind boggling how many there are.  I would never have listed Beyonce or Jay-z as artists.  I haven't listened to mainstream radio for probably 10 years. 

These are people that I follow on SoundCloud and have had personal interaction with them on-line - relative unknowns, but posses what I would call greatness and artistry in spades.  Just single tracks from their body of work.

Dimitar Nalbantov:  Bulgarian instrumental melodic rock guitarist:
https://soundcloud.com/diminalbantov/dimi-nalbantov-gratitude-2015-full-album-track

Gerrybhoy: This guy is a great songwriter from the UK and participates in the February Album Writing Month (FAWM) challenge:
https://soundcloud.com/gerrybhoy/a-well-of-ink-thats-green-fawm-2016

State Azure:  I collaborate with this guy on his instrumental tracks during FAWM.  Here's one without that, but I just love the soundscapes he creates, mostly sans guitars:
https://soundcloud.com/state-azure/state-azure-phantoms

Mungo Park:  The vocal on this should give you goosebumps. Unfortunately, it's only about 500 plays on SoundCloud - I would guess 50 of those were from me!
https://soundcloud.com/mungopark/frozen-retsina

Kumea/Wuolio:  The main instrument that Lauri plays is the 'Hang Drum'.  Similar to a steel drum, but more pure in tone and struck with the hands.  This one is particularly mesmerizing.
https://soundcloud.com/kumea/unfold-rotate-refold

Heather Bays:  This is my sister - she's a studio singer in Indianapolis.  Mostly what she sings for the studio are choral arrangements
https://soundcloud.com/heather-lake-bays/02-be-still-my-soul

But she has great pop-pipes as well:
https://soundcloud.com/c-evans/2-rooftops-mst

as for popular stuff that will be listened to in 20-30 years.  I think that we will see Nirvana, Foo Fighters, U2, etc. will certainly be listened like that.  There are more, but as the listener is able to pick and choose their niche genre to pay attention to, there will be more and more artists that get exposure but less-so through traditional channels - which means that popularity will be less and less relevant.

Then there are those that the media machine HAS chosen that in their forward guise are just plain weird, but when allowed to stretch out, actually have incredible talent.  Not many, but Lady Gaga fits into this category.  Her duets with Tony Bennett are great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPAmDULCVrU
Listen to that voice - it's really lovely.  Look away if you have to.

Or how about Herbie Hancock, John Legend, P!nk and Tal Wilkenfeld (she's Jeff Beck's bassist) doing this song by Peter Gabriel that had a guest vocal by Kate Bush: (might be Vinnie Colaiuta on drums even on this song - can't tell, no credits, but it looks like him)
https://youtu.be/uVQxSFG-ahk

It's hard to even imagine the beauty that is out there undiscovered.  Don't let the mainstream force feed you what they say should be popular, and there's plenty of artistry to be enjoyed.






Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 17, 2016, 07:09:01 AM
"Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them." 

William Shakespeare - 12th Night
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 17, 2016, 09:56:00 AM
"Don't let the mainstream force feed you what they say should be popular, and there's plenty of artistry to be enjoyed."

Those who lived thru it remember that the mainstream media did not force feed Elvis, the Beatles or the Stones to us.  As a matter of fact, they did just the opposite.  In one of the most sordid episodes I remember, religious folks tried to destroy the Beatles, even to the point of having Beatles albums bonfires.  It was fm radio that introduced us to the new artists, not mainstream am radio.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Caleb on April 17, 2016, 11:24:01 AM
It seems like at some point the mainstream became the only stream for a lot of folks, and it was that way for a long time.  The great thing about the internet and the age we live in is that a person doesn't have to listen to the radio anymore or even be concerned about what is "popular."  I haven't listened to radio since the late 90s and a lot of bands have come and gone without my ever knowing about them.  I have probably missed some great music and a lot of not so great. 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 17, 2016, 02:47:43 PM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 17, 2016, 09:56:00 AM
"Don't let the mainstream force feed you what they say should be popular, and there's plenty of artistry to be enjoyed."

Those who lived thru it remember that the mainstream media did not force feed Elvis, the Beatles or the Stones to us.  As a matter of fact, they did just the opposite.  In one of the most sordid episodes I remember, religious folks tried to destroy the Beatles, even to the point of having Beatles albums bonfires.  It was fm radio that introduced us to the new artists, not mainstream am radio.


No argument there but when you list Jayz and Beyoncé as who are the artists these days you are hearing that from somewhere.


My suggestion is to do a little work seeking good art that is new and you will find it, as in the days of FM radio leading that effort.  Not really present with Fm these days except for obscure public radio stations.

Again I posit that the distribution of music is responsible for the dearth of what you would call greatness.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 17, 2016, 03:27:11 PM
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 17, 2016, 02:47:43 PM
No argument there but when you list Jayz and Beyoncé as who are the artists these days you are hearing that from somewhere.


My suggestion is to do a little work seeking good art that is new and you will find it, as in the days of FM radio leading that effort.  Not really present with Fm these days except for obscure public radio stations.

Again I posit that the distribution of music is responsible for the dearth of what you would call greatness.

I must disagree.  For those who seek it out, there is more music freely available than there ever was.  The internet of today is the fm radio of the 60-70's.  I can remember spending hours at a time in record stores, going thru the alphabetical bins of record albums, examining the records one by one, and often walking home with an artist's work of whom I had never heard.  The difference was that back then music was a big part of our lives, and not just something to shake our collective asses to.  And, as a last note, I would posit that it is the public stations, radio and tv, which are leading the fight to limit what information is available to folks. 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on April 17, 2016, 05:23:45 PM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 17, 2016, 03:27:11 PM
I must disagree.  For those who seek it out, there is more music freely available than there ever was.  The internet of today is the fm radio of the 60-70's.  I can remember spending hours at a time in record stores, going thru the alphabetical bins of record albums, examining the records one by one, and often walking home with an artist's work of whom I had never heard.  The difference was that back then music was a big part of our lives, and not just something to shake our collective asses to.  And, as a last note, I would posit that it is the public stations, radio and tv, which are leading the fight to limit what information is available to folks. 

Well, you have lost me.  This comment is exactly the point I was trying to make: "I must disagree.  For those who seek it out, there is more music freely available than there ever was.  The internet of today is the fm radio of the 60-70's."

So, I give up.  It's hard for me to give up this because I still believe we have access to so much more great art than in the past, but it seems that I just can't make that point.

I'll just go on enjoying music from the past and the present and look forward to what is coming along.



Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 17, 2016, 06:49:08 PM
I think we confuse greatness with ability. There are countless artists that I enjoy and think are terrific but greatness eludes them. Not because of lack of talent or ability but because greatness must be bestowed by longevity, consensus and quite often luck whether we agree with that assessment or not. Many incredibly talented artists have died in complete or relative obscurity.
You may not agree but I personally intend to be one of them.   :roll   
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 17, 2016, 10:10:30 PM
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 17, 2016, 05:23:45 PM
Well, you have lost me.  This comment is exactly the point I was trying to make: "I must disagree.  For those who seek it out, there is more music freely available than there ever was.  The internet of today is the fm radio of the 60-70's."

So, I give up.  It's hard for me to give up this because I still believe we have access to so much more great art than in the past, but it seems that I just can't make that point.

I'll just go on enjoying music from the past and the present and look forward to what is coming along.





I agree we have access to much more art than ever before.  However, it is the term "great" that I would take issue with. 
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 18, 2016, 10:46:06 AM
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."
― Albert Einstein
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on April 18, 2016, 01:03:25 PM
Quote from: ducktrapper on April 18, 2016, 10:46:06 AM
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."
― Albert Einstein

Ah, but I believe the converse is also quite true..... Just look at Charles Darwin as an example of that.   :roll

In that case, a great mind, Darwin, encountered violent opposition from mediocre spirits...i.e. Originalists.


Sorry .... I just couldn't resist.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 18, 2016, 01:48:16 PM
Quote from: Walkerman on April 18, 2016, 01:03:25 PM
Ah, but I believe the converse is also quite true..... Just look at Charles Darwin as an example of that.   :roll


Sorry .... I just couldn't resist.

"Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood."
― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self Reliance
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Mikeymac on April 19, 2016, 09:39:01 AM
Quote from: ducktrapper on April 17, 2016, 06:49:08 PM
I think we confuse greatness with ability. There are countless artists that I enjoy and think are terrific but greatness eludes them. Not because of lack of talent or ability but because greatness must be bestowed by longevity, consensus and quite often luck whether we agree with that assessment or not. Many incredibly talented artists have died in complete or relative obscurity.

You may not agree but I personally intend to be one of them.   :roll   


Thanks for adding some levity to this thread, Tom! (Oh...you were serious...?  :wink: )

Someone mentioned earlier the many artists of the 50's and 60's. Some of them were indeed great. But the artists behind them in the studios - the Tommy Tedesco's and Mary Kaye's and Glen Campbell's - they were truly unsung greats (Glen, of course, came out of the shadows and found deserved fame).

The other day I was doing one of my weekly 3-hour commutes that I do for work these days, and Bridge Over Troubled Water (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_a46WJ1viA)  came on the station I was briefly tuned in to...

...as I listened driving across rural northern Kansas, I realized 1) what a great song it is, and 2) how rare it is to have everything come together to compose such a great, moving piece of music. It really is a gift - both the hard work of a gifted artist, but also something like a "gift" of an idea, or a melody, or an image or a lyric, that is poured into their senses so they can grab it and express it in music. Truly a beautiful thing, and it's what reaches out and touches our souls.

Some artists manage to do this a few times, some a few more, and some often - and we label them with superstar status.

:donut :coffee
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 19, 2016, 11:18:25 AM
Quote from: Mikeymac on April 19, 2016, 09:39:01 AM
Thanks for adding some levity to this thread, Tom! (Oh...you were serious...?  :wink: )

Someone mentioned earlier the many artists of the 50's and 60's. Some of them were indeed great. But the artists behind them in the studios - the Tommy Tedesco's and Mary Kaye's and Glen Campbell's - they were truly unsung greats (Glen, of course, came out of the shadows and found deserved fame).

The other day I was doing one of my weekly 3-hour commutes that I do for work these days, and Bridge Over Troubled Water (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_a46WJ1viA)  came on the station I was briefly tuned in to...

...as I listened driving across rural northern Kansas, I realized 1) what a great song it is, and 2) how rare it is to have everything come together to compose such a great, moving piece of music. It really is a gift - both the hard work of a gifted artist, but also something like a "gift" of an idea, or a melody, or an image or a lyric, that is poured into their senses so they can grab it and express it in music. Truly a beautiful thing, and it's what reaches out and touches our souls.

Some artists manage to do this a few times, some a few more, and some often - and we label them with superstar status.

:donut :coffee

Funny? I hoped it would be, anyway. True as well, though.  :crying:

Bridge is interesting in that, it is actually two songs expertly melded together. Oddly, I've had Simon's first six albums in my car deck the last week and have been digging the heck out of them again. What a special artist he is! The album 'One Trick Pony', not one of his best received efforts, has especially captured my attention. It's perhaps his only outright rock and roll effort and it is pretty darn good despite being mostly panned by critics and being a commercial flop. Late in the Evening, One Trick Pony, Cars are Cars, Ace in the Hole. So many great songs and the electric guitar playing by Eric Gale is superb.

I see he has a new effort to be released shortly and it sounds like it's supposed to be quite different than his normal output. Hasn't he learned anything?  :laughin:  
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: tuffythepug on April 19, 2016, 11:37:50 AM
Quote from: Mikeymac on April 19, 2016, 09:39:01 AM
Thanks for adding some levity to this thread, Tom! (Oh...you were serious...?  :wink: )

Someone mentioned earlier the many artists of the 50's and 60's. Some of them were indeed great. But the artists behind them in the studios - the Tommy Tedesco's and Mary Kaye's and Glen Campbell's - they were truly unsung greats (Glen, of course, came out of the shadows and found deserved fame).


...


I'm sure you meant "Carol" Kaye.   
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 19, 2016, 01:43:58 PM
Quote from: tuffythepug on April 19, 2016, 11:37:50 AM

I'm sure you meant "Carol" Kaye.   


Nah, he was just making that up to see if we were paying attention  :winkin:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Mikeymac on April 20, 2016, 10:40:25 AM
Quote from: tuffythepug on April 19, 2016, 11:37:50 AM

I'm sure you meant "Carol" Kaye.   


Quote from: ducktrapper on April 19, 2016, 01:43:58 PM

Nah, he was just making that up to see if we were paying attention  :winkin:


Thanks, tuffy - I knew that didn't sound quite right, since Mary Kay(e) was the guitar player (and the Fender Strat model)...  :blush:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on April 20, 2016, 12:46:25 PM
Mary Kaye? Doesn't she sell cosmetics? Thus ... making it up.  :roll
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Dr.Lee on May 06, 2016, 11:38:21 AM
Not a single mention of Bob Dylan ??
What do you make of that ?
Perhaps the greatest songwriter of the last half century.
Everyone has covered his music.

Dr.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on May 06, 2016, 12:18:02 PM
Quote from: Dr.Lee on May 06, 2016, 11:38:21 AM
Not a single mention of Bob Dylan ??
What do you make of that ?
Perhaps the greatest songwriter of the last half century.
Everyone has covered his music.

Dr.

May I point you to the fourth post on page one.  :beer
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Dr.Lee on May 06, 2016, 02:23:04 PM
Quote from: ducktrapper on May 06, 2016, 12:18:02 PM
May I point you to the fourth post on page one.  :beer

Sorry. Age is catching up to me !

Dr.
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on May 07, 2016, 07:18:05 AM
Quote from: Dr.Lee on May 06, 2016, 02:23:04 PM
Sorry. Age is catching up to me !

Dr.

To us all. But, hey, you had the right artist!   :laughin:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: skyline on May 13, 2016, 10:13:50 PM
Quote from: Queequeg on April 12, 2016, 09:40:32 AM
I won't pretend to know who the greatest artist is. And I hope you don't consider this a thread jack.
But looking at the greatest year, consider 1971, when there were so many great artists who were so productive.
The Allman Bros.-Fillmore East•Aretha Franklin-Live at the Fillmore•The Band-Cahoots•Beach Boys - Surf's Up•Carol King-Tapestry•Cat Stevens- Tea for the Tillerman•C, S, N & Y-4 Way Street•David Bowie-Hunky Dory•David Crosby-If I Could Only Remember My Name•Doors-LA Woman•Elton John-Madman Across the Water•Genesis-Nursery Crime•Harry Nilson-Nilson Schmilsson•Issac Hayes Theme from Shaft•James Brown-revolution of the mind•James Gang-Thirds•James Taylor- Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon•Jefferson Airplane-Bark•John Hartford-Aero Plain•John Lennon-Imagine•King Crimson-Islands•Laura Nyro-Gonna Take a Miracle•Little Feat-eponymous •Mahavishnu Orchestra.-Inner Mounting Flame•Marvin Gaye- What's Goin On•Miles Davis-Live/Evil•Pink Floyd-Meddle•Rolling Stones-Sticky Fingers•Santana-III•Sly & the Family Stone-There's a Riot Goin On

some others . . .

Joni Mitchell - Blue

Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention - Filmore East

Jethro Tull - Aqualung

Yes - Fragile

Led Zepplin - IV

. . . 'twas a busy year indeed
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: skyline on May 13, 2016, 10:19:30 PM
Quote from: rockstar_not on April 13, 2016, 07:13:46 AMBut the fact is that there are great artists being born every minute and the privilege we have living in these times is that we have the joy of discovery through the internet, instead of being given a limited menu through the major record companies and who they decide will be popular.
:+1:

Quote from: Walkerman on April 08, 2016, 06:20:30 AMSadly, there are no giants in the wings to take their place.

You seriously think that?

Kenneth Pattengale, Yamandu Costa, Aoife O'Donovan, John Butler, Ben Harper, Chris Thile, outside of the "guitar" world - Troy Andrews, Adele - all musicians who radiate their roots and write wonderful new music - and those are just the people I can think of without using the internetz thingy . . .  then there are all the film score composers . . . sorry - what was this thread about - musicians born in the 50's or before? :wink:
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on May 14, 2016, 06:54:32 AM
Not that there aren't a lot of plow men plowing that earth and doing a fine job of it but I usually feel that it's all previously discovered territory, been done before and ... better. I often apologize to young people about having used up all the good ideas and leaving them with ... well, I won't say. Hate being controversial.  :wink:  
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Mikeymac on May 14, 2016, 10:02:11 AM
Quote from: ducktrapper on May 14, 2016, 06:54:32 AM
Not that there aren't a lot of plow men plowing that earth and doing a fine job of it but I usually feel that it's all previously discovered territory, been done before and ... better. I often apologize to young people about having used up all the good ideas and leaving them with ... well, I won't say. Hate being controversial.  :wink:  

I get where you're coming from, Tom, and I don't listen to a lot of new music, but every once in a while I hear something / someone new who is fresh and has some creativity that puts some twists on this modern western music thing...

...your comment reminds me of the fellow who worked in the US patent office in the late 1800's who said they might as well close up shop because everything had been invented that was going to be invented...  :whistling:

There have been - and will continue to be - new artists who bring some fresh energy and creativity to modern western music. Although at times one does wonder if we've used up and exhausted all the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms available (is western music that limited?). Then I hear someone bring a fresh energy and I have to say "Nope."

Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: ducktrapper on May 14, 2016, 10:28:02 AM
Quote from: Mikeymac on May 14, 2016, 10:02:11 AM
I get where you're coming from, Tom, and I don't listen to a lot of new music, but every once in a while I hear something / someone new who is fresh and has some creativity that puts some twists on this modern western music thing...

...your comment reminds me of the fellow who worked in the US patent office in the late 1800's who said they might as well close up shop because everything had been invented that was going to be invented...  :whistling:

There have been - and will continue to be - new artists who bring some fresh energy and creativity to modern western music. Although at times one does wonder if we've used up and exhausted all the melodies, harmonies, and rhythms available (is western music that limited?). Then I hear someone bring a fresh energy and I have to say "Nope."



Well, I don't think music and other invented things  are that similar and I'm certainly not advocating that people stop creating music. I know what you're saying and I still hear a lot of very good new music but, no matter how well done, it all seems to be in a genre or style of instrumentation and production that I'm familiar with. Even supposedly "out there" bands like Radiohead are not doing anything all that new. Besides Thom Yorke is the worst singer since Eddy Veddor. ;)

Anyway I quoted the line from All Along the Watchtower,  "Business men they drink my wine and plow men dig my earth" because I think it nicely sums up how I feel and what I think about it.  :beer
Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: rockstar_not on June 11, 2016, 04:44:49 PM
I don't know if this got mentioned earlier in the thread, but I had forgotten how great this band of combined past and present rock greats sounds:

Black Country Communion

Members: 
Glenn Hughes on Vocals and Bass - geez this guy still belts it out and nails those rock high notes in unbelievable power
Jason Bonham on drums - sounds like his daddy in some good ways
Joe Bonamassa on guitar - if you need an introduction to him, well you have some enjoyable homework to do
Derek Sherinian - keys (I don't know his past)




Title: Re: Greatest artist still alive
Post by: Walkerman on June 24, 2016, 07:20:00 PM
Quote from: skyline on May 13, 2016, 10:19:30 PM
:+1:

You seriously think that?

Kenneth Pattengale, Yamandu Costa, Aoife O'Donovan, John Butler, Ben Harper, Chris Thile, outside of the "guitar" world - Troy Andrews, Adele - all musicians who radiate their roots and write wonderful new music - and those are just the people I can think of without using the internetz thingy . . .  then there are all the film score composers . . . sorry - what was this thread about - musicians born in the 50's or before? :wink:


Yeah, I especially think that after reading your post.