From: bogul@nospambog.net
Larry Huntley wrote in
news:Xns96565677A201Dljhcomcastnet@216.196.97.136:
> Knowleman stepped up to the podium, tapped the forlorn-looking SM57,
> asked "Is this thing on?" and, in alt.music.bluegrass, message
> news:c04ca9e8.0502161624.75afe9b1@posting.google.com, prounounced:
>
>> I was driving home about a month ago, late at night down an empty
>> motorway (freeway), in my home country, England. I was surfing the
>> channels on the radio and completely unexpectedly, heard this great
>> music. Turns out it was Alison Krauss, as the radio announcer
>> informed me.
>>
>> Next day, we ordered Alison's latest album. My wife and I loved it,
>> and we ordered another. Our interest prompted us to do a little
>> research on the internet and we discovered the term "bluegrass" for
>> the first time. This then led us to a bunch of additional artists
>> that we thought might be interesting but we have now put our new
>> found musical interest on hold.
>
> That's a pity.
>
>> The reason for this is because we regard ourselves as relatively well
>> informed Europeans and as such, have some serious concerns about the
>> culture within the american states with which bluegrass is naturally
>> associated. We dislike George Bush and his politics
>>
Translation... We in europe are much smarter that you back wood US folks.
We've come to realize that there is no God. And you US
folks need to learn our ways. Then we might like you.
Larry was to nice to point this out... He is truly a patient man.
>
> If you're going to let politics stop you from enjoying any sort of
> artistic expression, you're going to miss a lot.
>
>> we dislike racism
>> and we dislike religious fundamentalism in any form, whether it be
>> islamic from the middle east or evangelical christian from the
>> central/southern states of the USA. We believe all of these things
>> are bad news for the planet and for the future of our kids.
>
> Not unreasonable viewpoints, but what does it have to do with enjoying
> a particular genre of music?
>
Oh course it has nothing to do with it Larry... Unless it's really not
about the music to begin with. I'm quite sure they have the same feelings
about classical music and it's ties to religon. Or about Rock music and
it's degradation of women and drug culture. I'm quite sure they avoid the
internet in the same principle since the bulk of it's use is for
pornography. Or about rap. Maybe the blues and jazz are safe... but ya
know.. it did originate somewhat from those nasty fundamentalist southern
states.
>> My wife is so concerned about the association of bluegrass with these
>> things that despite the fact that we love the music, she is unhappy
>> for us to pursue the interest further.
>
> Better keep songs like "Banks Of The Ohio" away from her; she's not
> going to like that one at ALL.
>
Better keep sharp objects away as well. If you want to bury your head in
the sand... fine. Listening to a song is a lesson in history. It's a
representation of the artist feelings at that point in time. If they were
inspired to write it by a woman, God, a tree, a war, who cares it's just
a friggin song for crying out loud. Pick the ones you like and skip the
rest. But... like I said... it's not really about the music now is it?
>> Finding this forum and seeing a thread of discussion started by a
>> racist bigot has only served to fuel our fears.
>>
Yeah...new to newgroups are we? you can find off topic crap in every news
group. And for this reason you're ready to write off a musical form. You
guys are informed eurpeans.
>> We would be interested your opinions of our views and concerns. From
>> the responses, we hope to determine whether bluegrass is really
>> hard-wired to a culture of bigotry, racism and fundamentalist
>> christianity or whether there are bluegrass fans out there that we
>> can relate to.
>
What????? What the hell are you talking about? You need to "relate" to
other fans? Bluegrass is Music!!!! Not a social club, not a political
party. When I go to bluegrass jams(i play) we talk like normal folks.
After we play an old religous tune, we don't start trying to convert
folks. We just played a song. If we play a song about cheating on your
wife, we don't all run out and cheat on our wives. It's just an old song.
We play the cause they're fun and we enjoy playing these old tunes.
If it's the lyrics you have issue with... then seek out the instrumental
side of bluegrass. Get Chris Thile's early stuff it's great and has no
words. And that's the tip of the iceberg.
The only thing music is hardwired to is the soul(oh sorry)... ears of the
listener. Any other associations are a product of paranoia.
> The roots of Bluegrass are buried deeply in American folk music, much
> of which was freely borrowed from English, Irish, and Scottish folk
> music that came over with immigrants from those countries. Folk music
> tends to represent the views and experience of those who write and
> perform it. That said, the musical content does not (in most cases)
> advocate any sort of posture, just relates a tale.
>
Larry is a great guy! But, even if a song does promote a posture.. big
deal. It's an expression of the artist. you can find other artists if you
like.
> Bluegrass seems to be even less agenda-bound than some of the more
> traditional folk music. There was a large body of music that was
> called "Protest" because of the obvious messages being transmitted
> against rascism, war, labor disputes and the like. Bluegrass artists
> didn't record much of it (that I'm aware of.) But if they do play
> or record it, it represents the antithesis of what you seem to fear.
>
> The fact that you purchase a CD does not mean that part of the
> proceeds go into the coffers of an extremist organization or
> fundametalist church. While there may be artists or groups who have
> extreme views, my experience with musicians (Bluegrass and otherwise)
> from all over the country indicates that it must be exceedingly rare;
> I've never met a good musician who refused to play with another good
> musician because of who they were, what church they did or didn't
> belong to or where their family may have come from.
>
You and I understand this Larry. But these folks "would" refuse based
upon those issues. And we're the bigots.
> Usenet newgroups are representative of the world as a whole; if you
> search around in them, you can find every possible viewpoint being
> expressed. Freedom of expression is a lovely thing, but you don't
> have to listen to everything. Go to sci.skeptic and watch the kooks
> over there deny the Apollo moon landings, the Holocaust, and the 9/11
> attacks.
>
> There is no "hard-wiring"; I'd say you can freely buy any CD in the
> genre without fear that you're supporting a rascist agenda or extreme
> viewpoint. It wouldn't hurt to investigate particular artists if
> you're truly concerned, but how likely is it that you'll find one
> that states "The proceeds of this recording go to support the aims
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--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)
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