Music critic Ted Gioia had some ideas on the ways blockchain and NFTs can impact music–positively for both musicians and fans. I’m not comfortable with my knowledge of blockchain or NFTs, but based on what I know, Gioia’s speculations does generate some enthusiasm. I say more on this later, but I should also say that I have a heavy-dose of skepticism, with regard to a new financial model that will actually compensate musicians fairly. My cynical sense is that the corporations (and historically, the people with money) will ultimately find ways to exploit the artists. (A handful of individual artists may prosper, but many will not, including great artists who were ahead of their time.)
Category: music
No, Music Isn’t Worse Than It Was in the Past
I can’t remember if I’ve written about this before, but I saw some interviews of musicians I respect, which reminded me of this topic. Both bemoaned the current state of music, one of them gloomily predicting the the end boundary-pushing. (This interview was from the 80s.) My sense is that the basis for their assessment stemmed from a comparison with the past. That is, they compared their perception and understanding of the music of the present relative to the music from the past. If this is accurate, I don’t think this is a good way to judge the present. Indeed, I think doing so leads to erroneous judgments and pessimism.
Now, let me make a few things clear. One, I’m not taking this position because I necessarily think the present moment is filled with great musicians and great music. Instead, I’m basing my position primarily on the way we perceive and understand both the present and the past. The difference, I think, primarily explains why the present seems bleak, relative to the past; and I’m going to explain that in this thread.
(Note: This applies to movies, and I would suspect most other art forms as well.)
Notes on the Highest Grossing Albums in the U.S.
I’m leading a discussion on the top 40 highest grossing albums in the U.S. This is a thread to write notes and discuss the albums. (Note: This list comes from wikipedia. However, some albums that the discussion group already listened to. In such cases, we choose the next highest album on the list.)
The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
This is a thread for the three-part film (streamed on the Disney channel)–The Beatles: Get back, a Peter Jackson documentary, assembling footage from 1969, while the Beatles worked on new songs for a live performance. Eventually, I believe, some or much of the music appeared on Let It Be, and Abbey Road. (Some like “Don’t Let Me Down” may have become a single.)
Music 2022
What are you listening to in 2022?
Albums on Saturday/Sundays (2022-)
The continuing activity of listening to albums on the weekends.
The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band of All Time
In my music discussion group, this question came up. One participant believes the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock n’ roll band, and since I responded in a tepid way to this comment, he asked who I believed was the greatest rock n’ roll band. I want to explore that question in this thread.
2021-2022 NFL Week 9
Week 9
Notes on Rolling Stone Magazine’s All-Time Greatest Albums
I’m leading a discussion on the top 100 all-time greatest albums according to Rolling Stone magazines (2020). I’m going to use this thread to keep notes on the albums, musicians, and the process.
Suggestions for Killing Time Before Watching NFL Gamepass
As you guys know, I watch all the NFL games via Gamepass. To avoid spoilers, I have to avoid learning anything about the games. I don’t get TV stations, so the TV is not an issue. I do have to avoid some internet sites, and, in general, I would prefer staying off the internet, as I may accidentally learn about the games. Additionally, I’d like to find some activity that occupies my mind, since I do get antsy while I wait for the games to appear on Gamepass.
Do you guys have any suggestions? Some movie or TV show recommendations would be welcomed. I have HBO Max for at least a month, so I’m thinking of watching a TV series or movie on that.