[Harp-L] Re: Taylor Hicks

[Bobbie Giordano <bogio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Awhile back, David wrote:
>If you're not too cool to indulge in
>American Idol, then vote for Taylor!

Glad I'm not Taylor. ;)  Isn't the whole idea of pop culture's American 
Idol about being 'cool', 'hip', 'with it'; Yo... 'far out', the 'people's 
choice', etc.?  To win the crown, it seems to me, depends only on myriads 
of 'phone-savvy' folks tying up telecommunications long enough to cast 
'multiple votes' for one musical ego-maniac over the others.  Even a US 
Senator proclaimed 'voting often' was the AMERICAN thing to do in support 
of one's "Idol"!  [Umm.....  Geeez.]

I wish it actually was more about music, but I don't see it; or rather... 
'hear' it.  I actually have been "cool" enough to indulge in, or endure, 
moments of American Idol, and wouldn't waste my time voting for any of 
them I've seen so far; mostly, because the whole process represents to me 
a rather vile way to treat music at ANY level.

And, isn't it interesting that, quite unlike Ted Mack's Amateur Hour that 
was mentioned, or other such programs of the past, only vocal ability is 
being contested here?  Why that constriction?  Perhaps, it's because that 
is the one auditory expressive ability mostly shared and practiced by 
humans; whether oratory, drama, singing, whatever.  AND, it's egoistic... 
all about solo performance.  No instrumental skills required... no manual 
dexterity, theoretical understanding, cooperative abilities, sacrifice 
for the benefit of the total musical composition, etc.

Please don't assume I don't appreciate solo performance skills, as I can 
not help but feel they are the prime reason many, perhaps most, musical 
executions achieve the acclaim they do; and I would never denigrate the 
contribution of truly great solo artists to music in general!  Maybe it's 
just the making of sport out of music that I don't enjoy.

Anyway, now it's down to two:

One contestant's father may have suspiciously deep connections with Fox 
Network programming, and perhaps even, the show host's past project[s].
The other is garnering tragically sympathetic support from harmonica 
aficionados, [despite, and even DUE TO, his humorous, yet unfairly sly, 
breaking of the rules; specifically, that all contestants are disallowed 
from using any other musical instrument than one's voice to exhibit 
musicality or to influence voting.]  Personally?  Fox should have never 
aired that clip, as it unduly influenced a number of the voting public.

How many of you would have even been interested in the contestant Hicks 
had it never come to light that he plays harmonica [or guitar, or any 
other instrument?]  It actually saddens me that it was a harp player who 
may have been the first to demonstrate contempt for the contest rules; 
and worse... that this fact may have even been used as a ploy to boost 
his popular vote.  [So, if he wins, who's to say there will not be a 
legitimate gripe on the part of anyone who claims he unfairly influenced 
the vote by 'crashing the rules party'?]  Beside the point, but perhaps 
notable, even aging Joe Cocker fans and "Ray" movie-goers have possibly 
been sucked into voting for Taylor, too.  I just don't care a bit for the 
dynamics of it all.

It's all politics, baby!
And that ain't music to my ears.

Bobbie