h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>>Has anyone mentioned, The Doors?

No...but I have to say that 'Riders On The Storm' is right up in my personal pantheon, alongside 'Imagine' and BoRap, of songs I absolutely hate.

(Some of their stuff's OK, mind.)

If we're now bigging up Americans...

John Mellencamp is superb.

Helluva backlog, so sorry if this is repetitive.

What is "best", US or UK? Surely that is purely subjective and could lead to huge circular discussions (hence the backlog )

Popular music as we understand it undoubtedly comes from the US and hence the US can lay claim to being the major influence of all current popular music. Yes, US music itself has roots in African, Hispanic and Irish/Scots folk. I would say African music with it's "heartbeat" bass and drums is the single most influential factor. Given that a helluva lot more Africans ended up in the US than the UK, it's unsurprising that the net effect was greater.

The whole melting pot of popular music is constantly being stirred in such a way that it's impossible to attribute roots solely to one genre. Paul Simon for example?

I think SLF were very influential on US alternative music. The mix of raw guitars, strident vocals and politicking lyrics has been picked up on by Americans more than here.

I can't believe that a band like Runrig could have originated in the US. The closest match would be Cajun, but I can't think of any well-known Cajun artists off the top of my head.

"Like a dog wiithout a bone."

"There's no time to wallow in the myre."

Brave words from someone destined to turn up dead in a puddle of his own sick!

I'm going to come in here and say Dylan is *not* a genius. There, I've said it! I find most of his songs jaw-droppingly boring (apart from All Along the Watchtower when it was covered by Hendrix). I'm going to get a lot of flak for saying I have no time for Dylan but I don't care

Hi SWL, re: Cajun music try Beausoliel and Buchwheat Zydeco, both were featured in the soundtrack from 1987 film The Big Easy

*stands behind fords*

*whispers*

Well said,

Yes Dylan does have the giggle all the way to the bank quaility. Who else could get away with a line like"the sun ins't yellow, it's chicken"....Ooops fifteen year old girl memory. Someone once told me his biggest fan base was teen age girls.

Well not everyone is *able* to appreciate Dylan

I don't really *get* the terms of this debate. It's a bit like saying "Who's better: Billie Holiday and Metallica or George Formby and Blur?"

I think this debate is meant to be a bit of fun.

George Formby and Blur. Oh and Billie Holiday as well.

Yes, I understand that bit, but I still don't really get the categories. It's a bit like asking whether musicians who wear boots are better than ones who wear trainers.

Oh boots for defo.....

Like this link I posted on another thread of The Cure, 'Friday I'm in Love'.

The vid statrs with them coming downstairs and putting their boots on and then start the song. (truly brilliant I might add).

Ahem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN3hV9s4EOc

Nope. Trainers, no contest not just musicians either, I'd say that would expand to just "people". Although there is a lot of leeway within trainers itself, so say converse at the bottom being little better than boots, working through all the unsightly sports ones and running shoes up to old Addidas and retro, then skate shoes in general and on into the majestic echelon of all time greats such as the Vans halfcab, the DVS stealth, DVS timberland and the DC Colin MacKay's. Wot I am currently wearing.

One of my all time favourite tragic songs is 'Band of Gold', by Freda Payne. (USA) I don't think she did anything else of note. But this is just so brilliantly, horribly tragic. What I really like is the upbeat and optimistic tone of the song which so intensifies the agony...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zawhw-2vfI

Effers, I don't "appreciate" Dylan cos there's nothing to appreciate

Yes. You make my point precisely, fords.

SWL:
>>I can't think of any well-known Cajun artists off the top of my head

Joe falcon, The Balfa Bros, Beausoleil...ande many more. And that's even before we get into the Francophone African-American Zyseco (eg Rockin' Dopsie)...and onwards to Swamp Rock and Chicken Scratch.

But...Cajun etc. aren't where the Scots-Irish influence really shows. The closest to our stuff is probably Bluegrass...but basically C&W is an Americanisation of Scots-Irish music, withy more borrowings from African Americans than they'd probably admit.

Do you remember the BBC Scotland Transatlantic Sessions with Aly Bain (for thems as don't know - great, if po-faced Shetland fiddler, Phil Cunningham (accordian) and various Scots, Irish and American notables? John Martyn, Dick Gaughhan (*superb* Scottish folkie - his 'A Handful of Dust' is the best Scottish folk album ever), the McGarrigles, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Douglas (excellent dobro player), Iris Dement, Davy Spillane, Rod Patterson, Karen Matheson...
http://www.allalongthewatchtower.dk/phorum/read.php?1,348552,348597

'Heuchtie-Teuchtie music' .

Scotland can do better than Runrig, frankly.

fords (and mags):
You're quite simply wrong. I only got into im later in life - but it was well worth it. *The* artistic genius of the 20thC - apart from Pablo Picasso. Do persevere with him. The rewards are immense.