The Music Remembered

 Okay, I'm stuck in the sixties.  I have bittersweet memories of the sixties, but not the music.  Our kids grew up with sixties music.  I was listening to a playlist the other night that included so much from that period of time.  I could start listing the groups or the songs, but there were just so many.  But what got me was reading the comments.  The comments were from all ages from 17-91.  What amazed me the most were the comments made by young people who asked why music today isn't like it was back then.  

The older commenters wrote about how special that time was.  One said he could remember the first time he heard the Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel and hoped kids today appreciate that song as much as he did then.  I wasn't a big Seekers fan back then, but as I listen to their music now, they were indeed a very special group of young people.  My list of great sixties music is practically endless as is the list of groups.  The Carpenters might have been later, but they too belong with that group as their music and lyrics were so good.  

I could go on and on about sixties music, but reading the comments sometimes brought tears to my eyes as those who are older remember.  But so many remembered parents and grandparents who have passed that touched lives with the music.  So often it was asked why music isn't like that today.  I stopped listening to the radio around 2014.  That was ten years ago.  There were songs I liked and I'll listen to music from all decades, but many wonder what happened to the music since the sixties.  The has been no music decade like it since.  Maybe it was the drugs.  But it was the times.  

Well, I can tell you what happened.  Corporate greed killed the music.  Music today isn't created.  It's manufactured by a few controlling interests.  Back then they had a few instruments, talent, and good songwriting.  The songs were from the heart.  And they were meaningful songs.  As they performed the performers got better.  The groups blended well.  The solo artists had themselves and a microphone.  It was pure.  The music reflected the times.  But it still speaks today with fine lyrics and the best instrumentation and singing.  Groups were in it together.  And they knew it.  Soloists had to give it their all, like  in Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.

But most of all, the music had to be good.  Every artist knew it had to be the best.  They didn't record in an hour.  It literally took weeks to put it all together seamlessly.  But they all knew one thing:  it had to be as perfect as it could get without all the electronics they have today.  When Bob Dylan went electric, everyone said he ended his career.  I for one am glad the naysayers were wrong.  

I just hope the best or even the worst of 60's music never dies.  Even the worst back then was better than much of the best today.  No the times back then were tough for many.  But good times or bad times, it's the music that brought us together.  We all remember the music.  It was just so good.  And I hope it stays with us, regardless of age.  

I just thought I'd walk down memory lane this Sunday morning and share a few thoughts as I smoke my Nording Angel pipe with some Captain Black Original tobacco.   This tobacco has been a top seller since its introduction in 1956.  My coffee this morning is a hot cup of black Costa Rican medium roast coffee.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave