How many songs do you have on your iPod or mp3 player that you never listen to, never sample, never add to playlists, and generally skip over every time they come into rotation? I bet it's more than you think. A lot more.
If you're like me, you have all your favorite Beatles songs stored away, and you don't listen to them half as much as you used to. Same with the Stones, Springsteen, Mellencamp, Sam Cooke, and the Pixies. Merle. Willie. Chris Isaak and Los Lobos. They are there if you need them, always a wheel turn and click away.
The problem is, I have moved on to new sounds, or at least different sounds, and I still refuse to give up the ghost and rid myself of these great tunes. Why should I have to? To save space for something else? To create a void that needs to be filled with alternative sound sources?
Will something else ever be as good as the "White Album"? Will I find something that needs to take the place of "Doolittle" or "Exile on Main Street"? Doubtful. While I might not sample Sam Cooke's "Live at the Harlem Square Club" as regularly as I used to, there's just no way to give it up and make room for something else.
My playlists now fill up with the likes of Kings of Leon, Bob Schneider, Elbow, and the Doves. Citizen Cope has replaced George Clinton in my car rotation. Eli "Paperboy" Reed is quickly overtaking Joe Strummer (Blasphemy, I know.). The new overtakes the old, it seems.
But I feel that I will not, nay, CANNOT remove the music. I will see to it that these songs perservere. I will carry the torch and pass the flame, and all that other jazz that keeps tradition and quality alive. It will happen.
I will not bend to internal pressure or practicality that says when something outlives its use or popularity you should jettison it to another plane, or remove it completely. I will not rationalize the Fab Four to my trash bin simply because I don't find as much time to enjoy the genius of John and Paul.
I will listen. I must.
I guess I need more memory.
| Mike Mahaffey Tribute at Capone's | |
| Regional musicians convene for the annual Mike Mahaffey Tribute at Capone's in Johnson City. Featured performers include Matt Mahaffey, Hans Rottenberry, The Butcher Covers, Tad Dickens, Terry McCoy, Bo Bradley, Quentin Horton, Stinky Finger, Andrea Hoskins, and more. |