Gospel Music (or) The World According to a Black Kid

[pumpedupPaul]

@Iamamerican I think the only thing that we aren't really in agreement on in this side discussion may be the use on the word confrontational. I don't think confrontational is necessarily always a negative thing. Maybe a better word could have been used. I was mostly just expressing that at it's core art requires you to have an opinion--good, bad, neutral, but opinion none the less.

@fieldafm I agree that we shouldn't dismiss an artist off of too small a sample, however when you include the whole of an artist's ouevre then sometimes latter day sins need dismissal. Perfect example Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You is terrible when compared to Innervisions or Songs in the Key if Life. Also I would argue that John Mayer is absolutely NOT a blues guitarist BECAUSE he makes music for frat boys to get laid to. Hahaha! But I will agree he can play a guitar though.

[Bike Jax]

The link in the article is a dead link. Here is where you can stream the album: http://gospelmusic.bandcamp.com/album/how-to-get-to-heaven-from-jacksonville-fl

[IamAmerican]

@pumpeduppaul: No we understand each other in terms of "confrontation." But, if neutral is an opinion then art does not demand a decision. It does not require the recipient to choose which side of the "fence" to be on...unless sitting on the fence is an option.

I think where we are missing each other is regarding the "medium" vs. the "message." I think you are speaking solely to the "aesthetic" qualities of art, and tastes concerning those aesthetics demands an opinion. As though, art is mayo or something? You either like on your sandwich or you don't. (I know you go much deeper than that but I think that's where you think the controversy exists).

While I am saying, that the message of the art does not have to be controversial. It's no longer about whether you like mayo on your sandwich it's about discussing what makes mayo mayo and how it's mostly used. That is not controversial. So, now the person who does not like mayo learns about mayo and the discussion ensues. There is no need for an opinion. Mayo is what mayo is.

[pumpedupPaul]

@Iamamerican yeah I see what you're saying, and while I don't fully agree I respect your opinion. I really don't think I was describing a mayo conversation but I can see how it could be taken that way. As far as neutrality being a choice...how could it not be? It takes a deliberate act to just not care about something. Maybe it's ignorance, maybe laziness, maybe it's just not "your bag", but neutrality is a definite decision. Also I never mentioned anything about art and controversy, I only opined that u believe that all art is confrontational. Controversy and confrontation are not the same thing.

[TheCat]

JDASH will be one of MJC's guest writers in the first part of March. He'll be writing about his marketing strategies. He's proving to be a savvy internet strategist. I kind of like JDIVE and his sound.

One way to make it in the pop music world is to write a dance song.  Since I have a silent hope to be discovered one day as a rap prodigy I'm going to make a mix and my hope is @pumpeduppaul will help me. What do you think of calling the diddy "The Cat Walk"? @putv. We can have hand motions that mimic going through kitty litter and we can incorporate that thing cats do with their paws that at first is so endearing but then graduates to annoying. We'll choreograph head motions that imitate a cat's head/neck when being petted. And, of course, we'll swat at the air...I think I'm on to something.