Conversation with a Pop Star
You don’t like pop music?
Not so much
What do you like?
I like jazz
I like the symphony, too
But jazz brings music to life
So you don’t like new things?
No, I like them
Experiments in jazz are cool
As long as they aren’t atonal
Jazz already masters
Notes, half-notes, and dissonance
Not to mention syncopation
Jazz accepts chaos in the world
To wonder why
In saddest beauty
Do you have a favorite?
The one I heard last night
C L Couch
Photo by Sash Margrie Hunt on Unsplash
New York Subway Jazz Musician
clcouch123 
July 17, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Jazz is beautiful. I like Metal with a symphony- neo classical, classical, rock, pop, grunge, alternative, synth, classic rock, pop rock, banjo, but not a country fan, thrash- grass which is banjo and metal. Old blues- Chicago, Mississippi. Not much a fan of new music , but like Usher. I like it all really except new country steele guitars make my skin crawl. I suppose some could say the same about 80’s metal bands guitar riffs. Lol..
July 18, 2020 at 7:04 am
I agree, certainly, about the beauty of jazz. The improvisations are marvels to hear. I don’t mind if music is loud, but the kind that is made up of screaming is not for me. (I’m not sure what to call it as a kind.) I prefer to be in the room with the jazz players themselves and the music, though I guess most folk feel that way about their favorites. Country music comes across better live, especially if it’s instrument-heavy in addition to the voices. Of course, our preferences are biased by taste and experience and such; but the range of music is so very wide that maybe it’s an acceptable realm in which biases to thrive.
Have a good weekend, Wanda! (Sorry, I called you by the name, corrected now, of another thoughtful blogger I am privileged to correspond with.)
July 18, 2020 at 4:40 pm
I don’t think it is bias to me as tone. I love Rob Halford as he’s been accused of screaming I think his vocals are probably the best. When Judas Priest came out with the album Nostradamus a lot of his fans were actually angry at his change to a opera sound. His song Lost Love was so beautiful until it brought tears to my eyes. So much talent there.
Jazz is a soothing beautiful genre.
July 18, 2020 at 6:27 pm
I don’t mean to say that loud itself is bad, though atonal screaming is. Which I wouldn’t say of the artists you mention. The music that moves us is important–vital, really.
July 17, 2020 at 7:23 pm
That’s an acute observation. If you don’t like something that thinks of itself as being at the cutting edge, you’re accused of being fuddy duddy, being conservative, closed up, intolerant. Their new music will be old music in about two years.
July 18, 2020 at 6:56 am
You’re right, their music will be the old stuff. And I guess I’m not so concerned about jazz music and time. I’ll gladly listen to music that’s decades old (Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie. Billy Holiday) and new music, too (more women jazz musicians are playing now). Thank you. I hope this is a good weekend for you.
July 18, 2020 at 7:20 am
Thank you! The sun is back and I can see the comet. All is looking good 🙂
July 18, 2020 at 4:36 pm
My tastes are classical. It soothes my savage breast….or is that beast. I particularly like tenors, Pavorotti, Lanza, McCormack. My favourite Baritone is Paul Robeson. I also like old English, e.g. “Greensleeves”. Every St.Patrick’s Day I listen to nothing but Irish songs. When I drink vodka I love “Kalinka” The Red Army Choir.
The closest I have come to jazz is watching an amateur stage production of “The Death of Bessie Smith” in East London. I may listen to some to see if I can get into it. oh Yes. Does “Carmen Jones” classify as Jazz or Opera. One of my favourite musicals, I watch the DVD at least once a year. Entertaining post, as always, Christopher.
July 18, 2020 at 6:33 pm
I’ve heard breast or beast–beast in the breast? I’m glad you like Classical and the tenors. Paul Robeson has an astounding voice. Carmen Jones is impressive. There are jazz operas. Might we call it that? Folk music, yes. That’s so good, especially to be there when it’s played. Just before the shutdowns, I attended a program at the library of musicians presenting Celtic music. Delightful.
Thank you, Len. Keep having a good weekend, you and yours.
July 18, 2020 at 11:23 pm
Love your description of jazz! My tastes are pretty eclectic, depending on my mood.
July 19, 2020 at 11:20 pm
Thanks! I must admit I like pieces of many kinds of music. I tend to count on jazz to bring me, generally, something I will like.
July 19, 2020 at 5:32 pm
I love the street jazz of New Orleans and a band called Tuba Skinny. They have some really great sounds.
July 19, 2020 at 11:23 pm
To be on the street to hear the jazz and watch the players must be astounding. I got to hear the Preservation Hall Jazz Band while I was in school, when the group was on tour. That was a treat!
I hope you are really well.
July 19, 2020 at 11:52 pm
Thank you we are really fine! I did not see them in person. I watched a number of their You Tube clips!