If you read about the early history of some rock bands there are often comments about young musicians who are good mimics but are incapable of adding anything of their own to it. In all cases, it seems to be something a musician working with more creative band mates can quickly grow out of. George Harrison and Carl Wilson are the two examples that come to mind.
My late wife was a very much bush league local gig musician, mostly jazz woodwind, plus some folk strings.
She used to work with a similarly bush league keyboardist. She described her partner’s workmanship as “typing; not playing.”
What do you guys think about Bob Ross? If we didn’t get to hear him speaking as he painted, would we find his actual works of art kind of bland and same-y? Kinda like Kinkade?
I don’t know shit about art, that’s why I’m asking.
I do know that I am absolutely soul less as a trombone player. Technically I was up there with the best of them when it came to reading music but despite taking 2 years of improv classes from a very good jazz teacher I couldn’t play a solo to save my life. Such an artistic dummy.
That was the first person I thought of but he was demonstrably passionate about what he did. I think his goal was primarily as an educator rather than an artist. From what I understand, collectors and fans of his art are legion…which is also the case with Thomas Kinkade.
There is a professional ballerina out there on YT with amazing technical talent. In class has amazing strength and stamina, she is flying in her grand jete’ But I was surprised how wooden or mechanical she was during performances.
I’ve heard “technician” used for someone who is great technically but lack “art” or “passion”; it seems appropriate. And “soulless” for AI of course, but also for “art” being dictated by someone in authority; a dictator’s official portrait for example.
Chet Atkins is my go-to for this idea.
Incredibly skillful guitarist and his style is particularly difficult. He played on some of Elvis’ records and was highly influential. But good god is he boring to listen to. Because his fingerpicking style is so hard, it’s also very limiting. Almost everything sounds the same. He once made an album of Beatles covers and I’ve never heard their music sound so mechanical and joyless.
Listening to Chet Atkins is a lot like watching a Russian juggler keep 9 or 10 objects in the air. It’s amazing and one has to respect the skill. But it’s also really boring after the first ten seconds .
“Session musicians”? I mean, sure, some of them may be talented artists in their own right, but a lot of dedicated musicians without that artistic spark probably gravitate to roles supporting those that do, whether in static ensembles or as freelancers.
Karen Carpenter. She’s got a strong voice, but she completely lacks soul. Never more evident than on Superstar. I’ve never heard “ baby” sung in a less passionate way in my life.
Vai and Malmsteen immediately popped into my head.
I’m sure I will get a lot of flak about this, but I always thought that about Rush.
The playing and production was impeccable… and they seemed to be nice guys too. But the songs just… weren’t really that good?
Liberace was a showman first. I’ve never heard anyone call his technique excellent.
By Welk - I assume you mean his band. Or are you talking about his accordion chops? WRT his band - as w/ Doc Severinsen’s - those cats ROCKED! Same with so many old big bands.
I’m not someone who fels a musician has to emote in order to move me. I’ve had the pleasure to watch and play with some worldclass musicians - I’m thinking mainly about clawhammer banjo - who will bring you to tears, while barely moving on their stool. I’ve often wondered about the violinist or clarinetist who is swaying around more than anyone else in their section. I’m not saying htey need to sit still as staues. But their swaying and grimacing does not convince me that they are more “musical.”
Someone I often think of in oldtime music is Mark O’Connor. Just an amazing fiddler. But everything he plays somehow strikes my ear as too clean and perfect. I was actually surprised that he did not come from a classical conservatory background, as I sometimes get that feeling when someone who is classically trained moves to bluegrass or oldtime.
Mannheim Steamroller. They were kind of new agey electronic iirc. They were a thing in Nebraska with Christmas concerts.
I’d put that down to amateur songwriting skills. Which is a factor in much Prog Rock.
I mean, Rush certainly has passion, as do other bands like Yes.
Speaking of which, if you want to get frustrated, just listen to Jon Anderson’s lyrics… and especially his speaking (in interviews and in concert).
One three-minute “heartfelt” admonition to an audience was just “I’ve been all over the world, and all our problems and wars would go away if we just believed in … love…”
So I’d say a band needs artistry in writing music and lyrics, and playing each instrument (and vocals), and the synergy when it all comes together… so that “the band is greater than the solo artists”.
MHO: Thomas Kinkade was the kind of artist who made art that had no deep meanings, but was pleasant to look at.
As a Rush fan since I was 14, when they’re good, they’re beyond great, and when they aren’t, they’re meh. One of my other favorite bands, King’s X, has also had output widely varying in quality over the years. The same thing was true with R.E.M. in the final decade of their career.
All the musical proficiency in the world doesn’t matter if you can’t write good songs.
p.s. I just started a thread about Rush reuniting with a new drummer, a WOMAN no less!
Many session musicians also enjoy performing, but not in front of large audiences, and/or they are doing this because of work/life balance.
Yes, but I think that’s a separate issue. Most classical musicians don’t write music, but some of them play with feeling, imagination, musicality, and “soul,” while others are the kind of player this thread is about.
Wes Anderson
With a few exceptions (Arcadia, The Invention of Love), Stoppard has a reputation as an “intellectual” playwright who dazzles with clever plotting and wordplay but stops short of genuine emotion.