I’m not a fan of mainstream music. There are some catchy tunes that are acceptable for dancing and once in a while I hear a song that I can’t get out of my head.
But for the most part, I don’t like it.
When I was a teenager I jammed, and still do, to music by country stars Vince Gill, The Dixie Chicks, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Reba McEntire and other country hits.
Nowadays, country music sounds more like pop music than it did when musicians like Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams ruled country music.
The music and artists of the pop rock genre today appear to rely too much on sound effects and not enough on authentic voice quality and live instruments.
Some may call me old fashioned, but I enjoy listening to the musical offerings from Glenn Miller Band, Bobby Darin and Cole Porter. The soundtrack to the movie “De-Lovely” is a permanent fixture in my car and Bobby Darin’s greatest hits can found on my iPod.
I also enjoy rock music from the group The Band and the song, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” always gives me chills. I love listening to the Blues Brothers, Ray Charles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Temptations and so many more.
My husband introduced to me the world of blues music and I now have a very fond affection for Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters.
Now, I’m not saying that today’s music is awful, it just doesn’t have the same resonance as the music of artists from generations ago.
It’s hard to find someone to that compares to Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Marley or Jimi Hendrix.
Oftentimes, contemporary artists do not write their own music or play an instrument, which is not a bad thing, but when I see or hear an artist perform something he or she wrote themselves, it’s like viewing a window into their soul.
So, if you’re looking for something new to listen to look backwards not forwards and you just might be surprised what you find you might like.