[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: My Generation/Who vs Zep/Pagey/Brainwashed



> Ian:
> 
> Now you're speculating on what Townshend was listening to. His Dad MIGHT
> have had a bit of Jazz, since (after all) he was in a Jazz band. Ya think?
> You're assuming too broad a meaning for Blues here. I'm talking about the
> form, not what the song is about. And MG is about rebellion anyway.

Funny, I thought I said this two days ago.  It's form has always been the 
issue.



> You Really Got Me is Blues...try playing it slow and you'll see. MG 
doesn't > become Blues by slowing it down. It's still Rock.
> You're also claiming that the authors of various music books are out to
> brainwash people.
> 
> Really, Ian, what do you think these things do to your credibility?

The fact that I'm arguing with a amatuer guitarist who can't give me 
facts?  Find me my quote where I claimed authors are brainwashing 
readers.  If MG slowed down isn't the blues, why is it when you slow down 
the guitar notes during "Talking...." that it follows a 12 bar blues 
pattern?  



> But I see that now you're at least willing to admit that MG was innovative
> in its recorded form, which is all I claimed anyway.

Then why are you replying to this?  I stated this two days ago.  I never 
had to admit anything since that's how I always stood on the issue.  



> >As I said in another post, this isn't true.  The Blues is the basis for 
> >black music in America.  If you believe this then it's no wonder why 
> >you're wrong.  What you call Gospel in 1865, is really the blues.  
> >And again, the Blues NEVER 
> >EVER grew out of jazz.  If it wasn't for the blues, we wouldn't have 
> >jazz. 
> 
> Do a little more research.

I think I've done plenty, but in this case it only needs to be heard.  When 
Bessie Smith's "St. Louis Blues" (with Louis Armstrong) is 
considered a breakthrough song for jazz it's pretty much an open and shut case. 



For quick reference let's turn to the "Smithsonian Collection of 
Classic Jazz" guide.  On page 10 we find the quote :  "Of all the Afro-American 
idioms in the background of jazz, by far the most important and 
influential is the blues".  Now, you tell me who's brainwashing who?



> 
> >Because the song opened up with chords?  Is that all?  Think of My Gen 
> >plucked in single notes, it's not far from the blues at all.  
> 
> To make MG into Blues (as he did live in the late `70s), Townshend had to
> alter it to another form. That should mean something to you.

Just because Townshend altered the song's temp and phrasing doesn't mean 
it's original form isn't from the blues.  All he did was take the 
"Talking bout My Generation" guitar line and extend it throughout the 
entire song.  And they certainly didn't have to change the song breaks 
(IE music stops; Roger sings "People) which of course is another blues 
characteristic.