The Art of Listening
Reproduction of originals is a quality that exists in all parts of life. Much of what is created doesn't have (quality of being fresh and new) it is a re-thinking and re-doing of a previous original idea. In the essay written by Jeff Turpentine, “Why Some Covers Disappoint”, he discusses how challenging it is to determine the quality of a cover song. As described by the author, these reproductions often leave the listener with little gratification. The author goes on to explain the lack of a clear difference from the original song can be failure to deliver a quality song. Since the beginning of music, the process of covering material of other artists has been a standard practice. In centuries long ago, the ability to replicate
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However, any performance of a cover song is unique with just the change of the vocalist, tempo or style reinvents the quality of the original song.
A musical artist occasionally hit a roadblock in their careers with creativity. At these times, the author feels that the artist is likely to release a cover album in hopes of stimulating lacking sales. Specifically, when the artist is old he says, “these releases have served as well timed career-resuscitators” (254). Throughout the article the author, streamlines this idea to include musicians that produced hit that were a novelty at the prime of their careers. He implies that the aging artist need to remake classic songs “confers a kind of late-stage artisanal legitimacy” (254), as a need to justify their entire careers. In the article,
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More importantly, the public enjoys listening to cover songs, whether they are from aging artist or current artist. Besides, who doesn’t enjoy hearing Marilyn Mason performing Soft Cell’s song “Tainted Love”? It’s fun and interesting to hear artist playing songs that are from different catalogs and genres then their chosen style. The songs don’t need to be something completely different to have value.
I do admit that certain completely reworked remakes can blow your mind at the artistry involved, such as Tori Amos "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, however, the list of failures of remixed original is long. Who can forget George Michaels utterly repulsive reworked rendition of New Orders ‘True Faith”? George Michaels interpretation would leave anyone to run away from its skin crawling sound. Turrentine believes these remakes have a “new mystery’” (254), since they are more creative. Often the redesigned cover song is terribly done and quickly
...ath to dominate their field and branch off into other dominating sub-genres. Those genres, especially in the 1920’s, created the foundation of what we see today in the 21st century. The genres and the creativity produced in these decades were accompanied by entertaining dance and shows that provided the people with a comfortable diversion from their outward life. In addition, music remained a way of spiritual and fun release of the mind and energy. With the radio acting as a distribution center for music, it became a national pastime in which it still ranks number one today for it’s easy access and reaching fields. In conclusion, although the 1920’s saw the birthplace of what is generally known today as the foundation of modern music, the 1970’s matched innovation and creation in the industry which is why music is still a staple in the lives of many people today.
I agree with Negativland that Island Records is only concerned about the profits they would receive from controlling the market place. Music is created to induce emotion, not only to make money. Seeing as there are only so many ways an instrument can be played, it will not be long before songs will sound similar. The similarities between the two songs should flatter the original composer because their work has inspired a fellow artist to produce a similar sound. Composing and making music is a craft that should be shared and used to help influence or inspire other people, not for anyone person to control. As a result, the decision that Negativland violated copyright law should be overturned.
According to “The Changing Landscape of the Music Business,” Artists have to develop an image that appeals to the supporters in order to be unique. This can be achieved through the promotion of their music, but if the artist makes the wrong move, this can result in the artist struggling to sustain their career. There are many ways that licensing music can go wrong, with it either going into the wrong hands, or is abused with promotion so that the song isn’t enjoyed anymore, resulting in less sales or profit for the
Finally, this assignment has shown how music can be updated to suit different generations. Through the process of evaluating both songs, and comparing the two, one could say that the differences in the second song help refresh the first version. Although others may remark ‘old is gold’.
Ferguson focuses on the importance of creativity and how much we can build off of each others ideas. Remixing is using tools already invented to build new products, it opens a door to an on going process of new inventions and ideas. Ferguson shows the importance and the huge effect remixing has on our music industry and even technology on today’s market. Remixing gives
Jazz and “boogie-woogie” of the Thirties moved popular music away from the light entertainment of the publishing houses toward a more exciting and dance oriented style that made the swing era a golden age. As the bigger bands died out and the star singers again grabbed the spot light the songwriters again found their services in demand. Without jazz driving it and Americans rebuilding their lives and starting baby booms people were too busy to waste time dancing. Popular music turned back to light sentimental songs and cute novelty music song by polished voices and backed by sweetly generic instrumentals.
Willoughby, David. "Chapter 11." The World of Music. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012. 249-53. Print.
Classic rock albums had really art on them. Nowadays there is always some trashy looking guy or girl on the front and it’s just saddening. There was always something new. There was never the same looking album cover on and album. Now all of the album covers look the same.
...ue. Consumers shouldn’t have to settle with music instead they should be enjoying it. In order to get the authenticity back within commercialized music it will only happen if people begin to realize the power that they hold. Once people start to realize that then the music that is produced, and sung will have a more significant affect on its listeners; music then can continue to be inspiring. Quality music is and will always be cherished more than mass-produced commercialized cacophony.
For example, music is becoming more widely available to the general public with the introduction of mp3 players and the growth of the online music industry. The essay is concluded with my personal feelings towards the use of electronic technology within the live music industry, as well as the recording studio environment. This conclusion reveals that while the use of electronic technology has become crucial in the modern music market, it should not detract from the quality of live music produced. In this way, I feel that the use of electronic technology – namely drum machines and computerised backing tracks – have had a negative effect on the live music industry, because the majority of artists within the ‘pop’ genre now use computer-generated backing for live performances.
The Twilight Zone aired an episode in 1960 called The Four of Us Are Dying. The episode follows a con man capable of changing his appearance by merely looking at the person he wants to become. His whole life he has slipped by, without a conscience, using his ‘talent’ to mold into other established people’s lives. He takes advantage of his ability and finds ways to rob his victims of their identities, fame, and personal acquaintances. In today’s pop culture, especially pop music, this flagrant disrespect for culture and counterfeiting of style are diminishing the credibility of many popular artists. Similar to the man in The Twilight Zone episode, there are artists in the spotlight today that need to be reconsidered for their ‘unique’ styles.
When one thinks of a remix, usually they are reminded of the Music Industry’s practice of slightly changing and re-releasing a single multiple times in order to capitalize on the popularity of a song. It is pretty much a given that m...
First, I would like to explain why I believe that cover songs are now a good thing. “Behind Blue Eyes” covered by Limp Bizkit is a song that I would have never heard had it not been covered. The Who originally recorded this song in 1971. Limp Bizkit is an alternative band that many younger people have great interest in. Many people my age are not as interested in what is now called “Classic Rock” as they are in alternative music. Therefore, this song would have never been heard if it wasn’t for Limp Bizkit. Another good example of a song that has been covered is “Simple Man” by Shinedown. This song was originally recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973. This is another example of a song that younger generations would not have heard if it wasn’t covered by Shinedown. However, a person may ask “Is it fair for the original artist if one of their songs is covered?” I believe the answer to this question is yes. Many artists that have covered songs have also had their songs covered. This causes a never-ending loop of music that seeks different genres of music and also people of different ages.
In today’s evolving and changing society, many people do not appreciate how extraordinary music truly is. Since the birth of the vinyl record, there are less people who own and are interested in them. Even though vinyl records have recently been making a comeback, they are still not as popular as they once were. People take for granted how easily accessible music is today though in the past it was not as simple. Even though vinyl records may be costly and may not have a large quantity of songs, as time progresses and technology continues to develop, the way that people listen to music degrades their appreciation for music due to easier accessibility, weaker sound in terms of quality, and decaying genres.
The best original song award went to Dion over Wilson’s hero Elliot Smith, who made authentic music “with sighing melodies and lyrics laced with corrosive rage” (Wilson, 6). Wilson began looking into taste and what kept these tastes from intervening at some point. Wilson considered Dion’s music “bland monotony and obnoxious”. The criticism towards “underground” music made it impossible to judge it based on the same criteria as upcoming mainstream. Criticism is less objective and lasting and the gap between critical acclaim and popularity widens.