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Topic: A Question of Quality |
Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 4:10 pm |
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Sorry this got a little long
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I've noticed, if not participated, in several threads recently about new country vs. traditional country. Bobbe mentioned musicians not being able to showcase their real talent in studios today because they must play what the producer (or whoever has the deep pockets) says they must play.
We've discussed the level of talent (or lack thereof) of the participants on Nashville Star.
I think its a question of quality. There is no quality in anything anymore. Everyone takes the McDonalds approach now. "You can have a quarter pounder, but you'll be getting it with pickles whether you want them or not." And it will look nothing like the picture of a quarter pounder that we have overhead, which was actually made of plastic, but you'll pay a premium price for it even though its going to be slop on a bun and almost poison to your body.
Look at television. I am about to get rid of cable TV because there is nothing on it I want to watch. Everything is either a "reality" show, or so stupid I can't believe it. There is something wrong when people have to get their reality from TV. What the hell is that? My life is real enough. Give me Archie Bunker, Matt Dillon, and Festus. I don't want some "fake" reality. I want entertainment. What happened to Laugh-In, Hee Haw, and the Carol Burnett Show?
There are no poets anymore either, no artists. Where are the Hemmingways and Picassos of this generation? No one is producing art or literature that will last for centuries anymore. We will be remembered as the first people to have created nothing in the form of art that deserves to be remembered. What a legacy. The older generation, which includes some of you, had Ginsburg, Ken Keysey, and Jack Kerouac who might be remembered, but since about 1980 +/- everything has become about money and those who have it getting more of it.
Quality is no longer "Job 1" anymore because its all big business now. Its all about marketing now and trying to second guess what the public wants. Its happening in the automobile industry, computer industry, and the entertainment industry.
So far corporations have stayed out of the steel guitar business (probably because the market is so small). All guitars are built, sold, and purchased by a relatively small group of people. Its American Ingenuity and small business at it best where quality and customer service are still the most important aspects of the business. That alone is something I am proud to be a part of.
Here's to the producers of quality steel guitars for they truely are what America used to be.
Joe |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 4:17 pm
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Yes, the manufacturers are our hero's!  |
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Joe Smith
From:
Charlotte, NC, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 4:18 pm
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| Joe I have to agree with you. I think most steel guitar builders must love what they do because I don't think any of them are getting rich building pedal steel guitars. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 4:49 pm
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Yeah Joe, I agree with you completely. It's the age of mediocrity and temporary.
It's great to know that there are a few true craftsmen left who take pride in their products. Nowhere is that more obvious than in current steel guitar building. |
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Wally Taylor
From:
Hardin, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 6:24 pm
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You guys are so correct. I ask Gary Rittenberry why he made steels and he replied that he made them because he loved making them. He said he would never get rich at it, but that he loved the fact that he was making a good affordable guitar with all the features that he thought people would want and he took great pride in the fact that many people would be playing his creations and enjoying them.
I think all steel makers must share in his sentiments, because look at all the great steels on the market today. My hat is off to all these great guys and my thanks to them for making great guitars and loving what they do.
Wally |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 7:40 pm
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| Depends on what you look at. Compare the average home stereo sound with that of 50 years ago. Compare the average car radio. Compare the new widescreen high definition TV screens to the analog screens of even 10 years ago. Compare today's computers to those of a few years back. I have a B&W and full color desktop printer/copier/fax that I got for peanuts compared to what a crude B&W printer alone would have cost not long ago. With my digital camera I can have beautiful images immediately on my computer screen or I can print them on printer, and never have to go into a darkroom and spend hours developing and printing. I carry a phone not much bigger than a matchbox in my pocket and can take pictures and record sounds with it. I have a $30 watch that keeps perfect time, never needs winding, and hasn't needed a new battery in 5 years. My car never needs points and plugs, much less a ring and valve job. I got two artificial hips that work perfect and aren't supposed to wear out in my lifetime. I could keep going, but you get the picture. Yeah, quality has slipped on a lot of things. But it has surpassed our dreams in other things. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 8:04 pm
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Joe,don't be so cynical,just look at all the great entertainment we have now on TV and the music business,We have the BIGGEST LOSER,you can tune in and see how much fat someone shed this week,That's a lot more entertaining than Colombo or Gunsmoke don't you think,and those great shows with some one chaseing a pig around an island,Much more substence than Wild Kingdom.Swing Town or Desperate Housewives are so cool compared to those corny old shows like Mayberry,or Father knows Best.The BRILLIANT songs written today such as Bo-donk-donk or Ride a cowboy compared to those silly old tunes like Star Dust,Or Moonlight In Vermont.Don't forget our Hollyweird SUPERSTARS,Miss Spears and Miss Hilton,Doris Day,or Lucy,could'nt hold a candle to these gals,See what a great time we are living in today,with such an abundance of talent in the entertainment world,Got to go now my favorite show filled with sex and violence comes on,[Leave it to Beaver]Think this is the one where a little girl in Beavers second grade class kisses him on the cheek,and he gets sick,Told you it was about sex and violence,what were those tv producers thinking back then,putting such smut on tv.DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 5 Aug 2008 8:27 pm
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David,
You always find some way to put a new light on what I am saying. Of course there have been beneficial technological advances, no doubt. But I am just not seeing it with art and music.
Charles,
You are even more ironic than I am. I surrender to your wonderful sarcasm. You'd better water that sense of humor before it drys up completely.
I love it.
Joe |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 2:35 am
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| Charles, you made my day. I wish I had made that post. cc |
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Steve Hitsman
From:
Waterloo, IL
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 3:53 am
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I know there's a lot of crap on TV but I don't watch it (I've never seen American Idol). Cable TV has given us Discovery, TLC and The History Channel and that's pretty much what I watch.
Authors and poets? Check out Jim Harrison and Tom McGuane. |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 7:51 am
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| Quote: |
| Compare the average home stereo sound with that of 50 years ago. Compare the average car radio. Compare the new widescreen high definition TV screens to the analog screens of even 10 years ago. Compare today's computers to those of a few years back. I have a B&W and full color desktop printer/copier/fax that I got for peanuts compared to what a crude B&W printer alone would have cost not long ago. With my digital camera I can have beautiful images immediately on my computer screen or I can print them on printer, and never have to go into a darkroom and spend hours developing and printing. I carry a phone not much bigger than a matchbox in my pocket and can take pictures and record sounds with it. I have a $30 watch that keeps perfect time, never needs winding, and hasn't needed a new battery in 5 years. My car never needs points and plugs, much less a ring and valve job. |
David, I'm not sure about your car, but all the rest of the wonderful innovations you tout are made somewhere in Asia. Their quality doesn't seem to be suffering nearly as much as ours is here in America, but then again, how can one tell? Comparatively speaking, we don't make anything anymore .....  |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 9:40 am
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I'm sorry, but this is just another example of "things were so much better in the golden days of my youth."
I personally like the new GFI I have, and the new Larrivee OM I got (made with modern CNC machines), the computer I'm typing on, etc. etc. etc.
Yeah, I remember Gun Smoke and Laugh-In and the Carol Burnett Show and All in the Family, but I also like House, Bones, Smallville, Deadwood, Doctor Who, etc.
Newer is not necessarily better and neither is older necessarily better. Life moves on, time moves on, a new generation with different interests, values and blossoming skills arises. Get with times Gramps! 
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Brian Kurlychek
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 9:52 am
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Today's Dr. Who is a new version of the older Dr. Who, which had cheesy special effects and campy characters.
_________________
We live to play another day. |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 9:53 am
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| Gunsmoke is unwatchable. Sooooo slow.....first five minutes. "heya Hoss!"..."Howdy Festus!Gimme a hand fixing this wagon wheel" ....a tumbleweed blows by....time for commercial break. Tune it next week to see if Hoss fixed the wagon wheel! where are the slap fights? the midgets? the celebrity addicts? the 1-800 number where I can call in and vote for Festus as my favorite? |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 10:02 am
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| Quote: |
| Get with the times, Gramps! |
Speaking of "blossoming skills," not exactly a people person yet, eh, Twayn? |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 10:19 am
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| Barry Blackwood wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Get with the times, Gramps! |
Speaking of "blossoming skills," not exactly a people person yet, eh, Twayn? |
Heck, the older I get, the less of a "people person" I become! And the more liberal I get. It's kinda a weird combo, but it does happen to some of us.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 2:07 pm
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Twayn,
Hoss was on Bonanza, not Gunsmoke. I can see you were a big fan of both shows.
I don't watch House, Army Wives (some of whom may also be desparate), any of the various CSIs or any of that crap. I can't get into it. The characters are flat and uninteresting. House is a gimp doctor who seldom shaves and looks like a drunken bum. I wouldn't take my dog to a doctor like that. Who would?
I want quality. I demand quality. I want my Big Mac to look like the one on the menu, not some flatten out grease burger. Some people today are so easily satisfied with junk. I don't get it. I don't want to get with the times. I want quality in the things I buy. The old days were better. The cars were made of steel, not plastic. Almost everything was better.
And by the way, you are probably older than I am, "Pops".
Joe |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 2:07 pm
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Twayn,
Hoss was on Bonanza, not Gunsmoke. I can see you were a big fan of both shows.
I don't watch House, Army Wives (some of whom may also be desparate), any of the various CSIs or any of that crap. I can't get into it. The characters are flat and uninteresting. House is a gimp doctor who seldom shaves and looks like a drunken bum. I wouldn't take my dog to a doctor like that. Who would?
I want quality. I demand quality. I want my Big Mac to look like the one on the menu, not some flatten out grease burger. Some people today are so easily satisfied with junk. I don't get it. I don't want to get with the times. I want quality in the things I buy. The old days were better. The cars were made of steel, not plastic. Almost everything was better.
And by the way, you are probably older than I am, "Pops".
Joe |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 2:23 pm
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| Joe Drivdahl wrote: |
Twayn,
Hoss was on Bonanza, not Gunsmoke. I can see you were a big fan of both shows.
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Uh, Ben was the one who made that dreadful faux pax, not me! I can play the theme to Bonanza! Speaking of which, have you heard the version which Lorne Greene sang? Really special, that 
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I don't watch House, Army Wives (some of whom may also be desparate), any of the various CSIs or any of that crap. |
That reminds me that I like CSI, but CSI: Miami is total dreck, and CSI: NY is only barely watchable, mainly because of Gary Sinise. As for House, that show is really a comedy. Ever watch Black Adder? That's the same actor playing George!
Really, I watch very little TV, I only catch most of these shows on a random basis. It's true that the glut of "reality" shows is seriously awful.
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| I want quality. I demand quality. |
Popular culture is not the place to expect quality.
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And by the way, you are probably older than I am, "Pops".
Joe |
I don't know how old you are, but by your references I'd guess anywhere from mid 40's to late 50's??? I'm 45.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 2:29 pm
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Twayn,
Ok. So I am wrong on several counts. Sorry I confused you with Ben who I guess thought Hoss was on Gunsmoke.
I have heard the Lorne Green version of the Bonanza theme. I was pretty funny as I recall. I think thats the only time I ever heard the words to "Bonanza."
I heard Uncle Joe Maphis play it once. Man he played it fast!
And even though I claim to demand quality, I seldom get it so its just wishful thinking. Steel guitars are one place where quality does seem to still exist.
Oh and, I am oler than you... I just turned 50. Sooooo there we are.
Sorry for the miscontructions (if that is a word).
Joe |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 2:53 pm
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| Joe Drivdahl wrote: |
And even though I claim to demand quality, I seldom get it so its just wishful thinking. Steel guitars are one place where quality does seem to still exist.
Oh and, I am oler than you... I just turned 50. Sooooo there we are.
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I think the thing about Steel is that the bar is so high just to be listenable that a minimal level of quality just sort of happens. Just playing in tune is such an accomplishment 
The book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintainence" speaks to the question of quality in western philosophical terminology.
One thing we can be sure of: some things were different when we were younger, and some things never change.
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Joe Drivdahl
From:
Montana, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 3:06 pm
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Playing in tune is definately the first hurdle. Then theres that pesky volume pedal and finger picks.
As far as quality in music goes, its been stated that new country isn't being marketed to us older listeners. Ok, I can agree, but who is the target audience then?
As an educator, I work with young people ages 18 - 21. These kids don't like country music. They hate it and laugh if you ask them if they listen to it. So is the target audience the so called "tweens?"
I don't get it.
Joe |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 3:13 pm
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Gunsmoke, Bonanaza, F Troop, McHales Navy, Grizzly Adams...its all the same to me...nap time.
Now the Beverly Hillbilly's? that was some fine tv viewing. Like the time those hippies wanted granny to show them how to "smoke" some crawdads. far out man! |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 3:34 pm
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| Joe Drivdahl wrote: |
As an educator, I work with young people ages 18 - 21. These kids don't like country music. They hate it and laugh if you ask them if they listen to it. So is the target audience the so called "tweens?" |
Good question!
I think maybe it's for people who used to like the rock of 10-20 years ago, but don't like rock now. I'd have to agree that the "New Country" seems mainly to be out-of-date watered down rock styles.
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Primitive Utility Steel |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 6 Aug 2008 4:23 pm
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| you all sound like you're in your twenties...it's nice to think and feel young! |
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