I went out to hear Marcus Miller today. Great gig and great musicians..BUT it was the exact same concert that i heard 10 years ago... almost note for note. Last month i heard Mike Stern ..same thing. Blues solos over syncopated grooves for 90 minutes. Very boring. I might as well listen to a cd. I havent heard a new thing from America since 1985..What the .... happend??
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What happened to American creativity?
- Thread starter odin70
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But anyways, I'm not sure it's really that bad. When it comes to non-mainstream music (I'm more into harder stuff like hardcore/grind and various metal), the americans still deliver. I get your point though, there seems to be more forward thinking generally speaking outside the US. To many "artists" in the states seem to be following a set formula, again; because of the paycheck.
"It's all been programmed. There's no mojo. There's nobody testifyin'." - Joe Walsh
American = corperate Creativity is only encouraged if its profitable. Now they're cutting music and art classes out of schools... Not enough time/money for...
My <2c is that live gigs in general are way down in the USA. No gigs = no musicians in the spotlight.
The talent is still here. Interest in entertainment at the grass roots level has become much reduced.
IMO
The talent is still here. Interest in entertainment at the grass roots level has become much reduced.
IMO
The problem is you are listening to old school artists. Lots of amazing stuff out there, just start looking- for real.
My point exactly; look outside the mainstream and you'll find some gems for sure. But that doesn't negate the fact that stagnation is rampant with the more established US acts.
They're with the record companies and the places to play.
Gone,
History,
Out the window,
In the wind.
You wont see me at a Marcus Miller or Mike Stern concert ever again, i can tell you thatPeople even call Mike Stern a creative guitarist..? He is not creative at all.
saw him with Jaco years ago, he sure knew alot of scales
Thinking a little more about this, I'm not so sure what the OP is getting at. There is still a lot of stuff happening, such as:
But, you have to go to NYC, Boston, or LA to hear the more cutting stuff.
If you are asking why we haven't produced the next Jaco or Marcus Miller recently, don't know what to say. Certainly the "Music Business" here is no longer promoting that kind of music as much anymore.
If you are asking why the shows you heard were similar to shows 10 years ago, I also don't know. What were the artists hired to play? I am sure Marcus has kept active doing new stuff. Maybe that's not what he chose or was asked to do.
Mike Stern? I don't know. He is still so far ahead of most cats, I wouldn't know where he is at.
You know, there are a lot of guys I wonder what has happened to them. Entertainment is brutal business and bills have to be paid.
But, you have to go to NYC, Boston, or LA to hear the more cutting stuff.
If you are asking why we haven't produced the next Jaco or Marcus Miller recently, don't know what to say. Certainly the "Music Business" here is no longer promoting that kind of music as much anymore.
If you are asking why the shows you heard were similar to shows 10 years ago, I also don't know. What were the artists hired to play? I am sure Marcus has kept active doing new stuff. Maybe that's not what he chose or was asked to do.
Mike Stern? I don't know. He is still so far ahead of most cats, I wouldn't know where he is at.
You know, there are a lot of guys I wonder what has happened to them. Entertainment is brutal business and bills have to be paid.
It seems to me that right now, if you deviate, you get dropped and you're on your own. Of course, you can be on your own, and a lot of great players are, but they're harder to find, and there is less incentive when you're looking at touring in a minivan and roach motels for the rest of your life just for the sake of being able to do your own thing. We live in a strictly commercial culture, and our art forms directly reflect it. Most people would rather sell out and walk the company line for a higher dollar and a more comfortable standard of living, and the people who do so in turn become the role models for the next generation of players. We wind up with a relative homogenization of form and have what we have today.
That's not a complete answer or assessment but it's a thought from the top of my head right now.
That's not a complete answer or assessment but it's a thought from the top of my head right now.
I think it's more a symptom of the genre than "American creativity". I know of tons of very creative American acts, and none of them are hawking the tired elevator music that wasn't that good to begin with as some of these contemporary jazz outfits. On the other hand, guys like MM are famous for doing just that an have made all of their money and based their reps on it, so why change?
I personally think the genre acts like his inhabit is a bit over-ripe and should be kicked into the grave to rest with dignity.
- Oct 18, 2012
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One of the main problems is that many musicians (original and cover) only play what they believe people want to hear. Most original artists are playing songs from their list that they have been playing for years. If you look at cover bands, you will find that a large percentage of their respective set lists contain the same songs.
Lack of creativity isn't unique to the music industry. The same thing has happened with movies too. Many plots are just rip offs or rehashes of old ones. They are relying very heavily on CGI and special effects rather than focusing on the story. Its very frustrating.
Lack of creativity isn't unique to the music industry. The same thing has happened with movies too. Many plots are just rip offs or rehashes of old ones. They are relying very heavily on CGI and special effects rather than focusing on the story. Its very frustrating.
marcus has his groove, thats his style. its not going to change. but hes always mixing in stuff from his newest albums. so i find it really hard to believe it was the same show as 10 years ago. but what else did you really expect him to do though? im not sure its really the artists fault if an audience member has an unrealistic expectation of what they are going to hear.
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