Joe Henwood on Technicality vs Creativity
writes:
"Forget about Genres, there's just good songs and bad songs" -
What makes a song memorable? What makes a musician inspirational? And who decides which genre is which?
For me a good musician finds the balance between technicality and creativity. One of the masters at finding this balance is who wrote beautiful technical melody lines that are both catchy and delivered with great emotion.
However I think you can also find success at the two extremes.
, for example, who himself admits he is no Eric Clapton, still plays with such emotion and writes such heartfelt songs that are a joy to listen to.
On the other side of the spectrum I love listening to the saxophonist whose range of sound and speed of playing rivals most.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he is a very creative person who writes beautiful songs, but would he be successful without the appreciation of his technicality?
When I first started listening to music I would listen for that cool riff or that awesome
guitar effect. Now I have explored my instrument more and become increasingly creatively aware - I listen to music from a whole different angle.
My current diet includes folk, jazz and funk (possibly with a bit of metal now and then) and I have never felt so inspired by so many artists.
At the moment I am listening to: whose voice sends shivers down my spine and driving rhythms always get me tapping; whose Love Supreme album for me is the pinnacle of creativity and emotive playing; and I simply love because they are so funky!
Finally, and at the risk of being rather cheesy, I find myself getting most of my inspiration from my sister's music. Maybe it's because I have grown up listening and playing along, but I always find I can be the most technically accurate and really explore my creativity when playing along side Megan.
If anyone has any suggestions as to what else my youthful ears can indulge in I would love to hear from them.
Comment number 1.
At 3rd Jun 2009, dannylerudd wrote:Hi Joe,
A diet of folk,jazz and funk - have your ears checked out John Martyn?
Solid Air is the standard one to listen to but how about the following.
From Sundays Child Root Love (funky) , Spencer the Rover (folky). From One World the tiltle track and Small Hours(spacey). From Grace and Danger Lookin' on(jazzy).From The Apprentice Send me one line (nice sax) and from Church with one bell John's version of Portishead's Glory box (bluesy).
Here's one from the past - Traffic with Chris Wood on sax and Steve Winwood.
John Barleycorn for the title track and the instrumental Glad-I always find it uplifting.
The title track of the Low Spark of High Heeled Boys-how to get the most out of a couple of good riffs.
Well you did ask for suggestions for what to listen to so I hope you find them worth the effort.
Cheers.
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