Re: [Harp-L] Gussow in Princeton Alumni Weekly

[Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 4, 2011, at 7:46 PM, The Iceman wrote:

> If blues was to really evolve and sound more modern, wouldn't it start to mix in drum machines, beat box rhythms, synthesizers and everything else that has evolved in the music world since the 1950s?

Arguably the blues HAS evolved . . . into "drum machines, beat box rhythms ..." There is blues DNA in nearly every form of contemporary music.  These discussions are always difficult because they pit change against tradition and strict notions of form against artistic innovation.  They ask the unanswerable question "What is [insert art form or style of music here].  Then purists and anarchists end up arguing (metaphorically) over who is the world's tallest midget or the shortest giant.  When is a blues, not a blues?  That depends on who asked the question.  On the other hand, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims like a duck, it's probably a duck.

Bob