Re: New subject that has nothing to do with semantics

Derek Tarr Productions (dtprod@connectnet.com)
Fri, 13 Jun 1997 09:18:16 -0700 (PDT)

Sean- Just got around to replying. As for whether lounge has social
and musical redeeming values...well, yes. It's kinda like every
other revival in the sense that the "golden days" were a long time
ago, and we can all relive the scene (right down to the cigars, the
cocktail dresses, and the smoky clubs, but you have to look at it
from the present perspective...for example, far fewer people smoke
now, hard liquor is often associated with serious alcoholism now
where before it was "what men drink", etc. In these aforementioned
"golden days" it was romantic music, and strictly for recreation. In
the present time, it's just not the same as far as I'm concerned (not
that I was there, but my mom was). It's still romantic music, with
nice songwriting, but by today's standards it's a little
mushy...ballads aren't what they used to be thanks to people like
Kenny G. "Cheesy" is a good word for the current impression of what
used to be romantic. So, I still love lounge, but just like anything
else, it has to be approached with modern outlook to have any staying
power.

I've rambled enough now. If you haven't heard old Jackie Gleason
records, you should, then you'll know what I mean.

I've always had an affinity for the old stuff (I actually like Herb
Alpert & TJ Brass), because I grew up with that stuff. How anybody
that grew up on Depeche Mode would view lounge? I don't know.

-Derek

1997, Sean
Silcoff wrote:

> So, onto the next subject...
>
> When we heard lounge was coming back, I think we all had a bit of a giggle.
> Then cigars popped up, people started downing Crantinis (blechh) and
> listening to Esquivel and Sammy Davis Jr. and newcomers like Combustible
> Edison. Listening to lots and lots and lots of this stuff. Nobody seems to
> take it very seriously, or actually think the music is very good, which
> gives its return (on the downward arc, now, I think, in terms of currency) a
> decidedly transient feel. So, a question for you, some of the finest and
> sharpest music fans in the world: Does "lounge" music have any socially or
> musically redeeming values? Is it music, and so, what type of music, in the
> sociological sense? Or is it strictly part of the scene, accessorized music
> to go along with your cocktail dresses, foxfur scarves and slicked back
> hair? Social commentary (yeah right)? Fun to listen to?
>
> Next question...Is trip hop music just accessorized background noise to go
> along with hanging out in a veeeeery laid back barn full of wigged out young
> people? Most of it seems to go nowhere, slowly, without a point or melody
> but with a roomful of mood. Kind of like the Grateful Dead, minus the
> instruments and melodies.
>
> Just an attempted incitement to get us off this name game thing.
>
> Sean
>
>

Derek Tarr Productions
dtprod@connectnet.com
http://www2.connectnet.com/users/dtprod