When I was young and letting my dad listen to new music, he usually said ‘there’s nothing new in that – I’ve heard it all before!’
Now I’m older I’m starting to agree with him.
I say this not in a bad way, I’m not trying to demean others musical output. I think it’s a consequence of listening to music 24/7 for 40 odd years. Nothing seems new. Often I find it hard to listen to new music I’ve heard recorded by older bands – which is silly because as you know in traditional / folk music (unless you are a singer songwriter) it’s a a covers business. We all love to play the same reels and jigs, sing the old songs that have been recorded many times because they are the tradition – the reason we are involved in music in the first place.
It’s interesting how we keep the tradition fresh so that young people can come along and discover it new, get excited about it and pass it on to the next generation. We need these same songs and tunes to keep getting recorded with new versions so they continue to be heard and sung and played. It’s not always new arranged and funky versions that will bring new audiences to trad music but beautiful performances of our material. This can be the solo singer or a four piece band.
So a note to myself! When listening to something new don’t judge it immediately – take your time and listen carefully. Find the beauty in the performance and enjoy it.
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