Post
by michduncg » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:56 pm
Its not to say that I don't like modern pop music, but its all sold as a package - the sound of the song, the look of the video, the story of the group (many of whom have been manufactured by record producers). I appreciate it for the modern 'product' that it has become, but I am not sure if I will still be listening to their songs in 40 years time! Its not new, this packaging goes back to the 1950's particularly with the ascendence of Elvis Presley, who spawned a whole host of imitators!
The record producers in the USA and indeed the UK presented the newly recognised teen market with a product that was sexy, exciting, and so very different to what they were used to, and modern pop musc was born - particularly when TV got in on the act. In the USA, an pop artists career could be made or lost depending on an appearance on 'American Bandstand', which in the 1950s was broadcast live daily for an hour in the 'after school' slot. A production line of soon to be forgotten teen idols started on both sides of the Atlantic, some of whom have managed to stay the course, but the majority of whom have served their purpose of 'filling a gap in the market' for a few years.
But the likes of Matt Monro, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Doris Day and all the other 'old-time' singers (although Bobby Darin had of course been the 1st pop star to cross over to 'adult entertaining'!) were/are craftesmen of their trade. They have their own distinctive sound, an understanding of the lyrics, and the ability to put real emotion into their interpretation of their version of it.
Michael
Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......