Re: [Harp-L] Re: Mustang Sally -- Melancholy Baby

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

Interesting artistic crossroads.
 
In the late 60's, Bob Dylan played "ELECTRIC" 2nd set after his same old same old acoustic first set at a show in England.
 
The howl of dismay and protest of purists could just about be heard around the world.
 
What was he thinking?
 
Bob Dylan had just moved his "folk" music into an evolution of electricfolkrock or whatever you wanna label it. He opened up possibilities that hadn't existed until that bold statement.
 
Miles Davis did a very similar thing at least 3 - 4 times during his career, upsetting customers who came to hear the same old same old.
 
What was he thinking?
 
While this is not always the reality for all, these particular artists had a personal vision that transcended the musical reality at the time and became pioneers. These artists did not want to be personally stuck where their "customers" wanted them to remain, so they took chances. Not every chance taken realizes a lasting reward - most fall flat on their faces. However, without risk there is no evolution/revolution possibility offered up.
 
Different than going out to see the latest Paul Revere and the Raiders/Sam the Sham tour in which the audience gets all the same old hits replayed while watching a very aging Paul or Sam surrounded by a bunch of younger musicians playing parts learned off a record. (Last time I saw the Paul Revere show, I felt embarassed for him, but the audience ate it up).
 
The Iceman
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Philharpn@xxxxxxx


While the customer is not always right, the customer if paying the bill.

PBS ran the Ricky Nelson musical interlude collection from the Ozzie & 
Harriet Show the other night, which features his kids and others talking about 
Rick. 
  In the course of events, the background of "Garden Party" song came up, 
based on Rick getting booed at an oldies concert when he refused to play his old 

hits.   I can understand Rick getting sick and tired of playing those tunes.

But what was he thinking? 

That he could present his new material and skip the old stuff?
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