[HANASHIR:13630] Jewish spin to Musical Fairness chain

[Joel Simon <RavJoel...>]

So, if I may, let me bring this discussion out of the grammy's and into our
synagogues.  Within our small Jewish music world there are those who would
call what many of us enjoy as contemporary Jewish music as nothing but
"mediocrity" that is taking away synagogue space from the art music that our
intellect demands.  There are others who say there's no room for anything
old (define that as you will) and we must only use new songs whose purpose
is to keep people engaged.  Well, much like our different Jewish music has
different audiences, and we must like what we like and dislike what we
dislike, we also must realize that what we dislike is liked by many people
and serves a valid purpose for those people.  I'm not going to relate this
to the grammys because I don't want to make the comparison of any Jewish
music to eminem, but your can take it for what you will.  I will say,
though, that as we strive to create balance in our worship, camps, and other
settings, maybe we can also try to keep balance in our cd players.

Joel Simon
ravjoel (at) softhome(dot)net
http://www.geocities.com/imjoelman
AOL IM: imjoelman
Address:
c/o Hebrew Union College
13 King David Street
Jerusalem, Israel 94101

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of Joy Newman
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 6:25 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:13626] Re: What About Musical Fairness?


Hello:

I watched the Grammy's last night, with much disgust.  As we all do, I truly
enjoy music, and appreciate the diversity that exists within the art form.
It blows my mind how one person or album can be declared "the best" in such
general categories.  For example, what does the "best new artist" really
mean?  How can one truly compare John Mayer to Eminem, or to Nora Jones for
that matter??

I loved watching Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor and Yo Yo Ma, and the
Philharmonic perform.  They were classic, and truly beautiful to watch.
However, some of the younger artists, (Avril!!), are we sure that she
actually sings on her CD?

Most of the Grammy's is for the public.  Note the fact that most of the
performances were by the young, new, pop stars.  And as much talent as many
of them have, they do only represent one portion, and a diverse portion at
that, of the music industry.  What really makes Nora Jones the best?  I
mean...I like her song and all...but no better than anything else.

I think that when we look at the Grammy's we have to see them for what they
are; a creation of the music industry to draw attention to its products.  I
watched it, I enjoyed what I enjoyed, and I disliked what I disliked.

Jewish music is very modern, vibrant, and ever growing.  We all know that,
as we are members of a JEWISH MUSIC LISTSERVE.  We know who we are.  We
share our dreams, we share our talent, we share our music, we thank the
people who helped to get us where we are (and in person I might add...not
off some cue card just so that we don't forget to thank the copy guy...) we
encourage each other to develope our own styles, and most importantly, we
share our love for something that is special to all of us.  And no Grammy
award, or even category, can change that.

~smile always~
-Joy Newman
Rochester, NY
19 year old freshman at the University of Rochester, and avid fan of pop
music




>From: "Meris Ruzow" <meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com>
>Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: [HANASHIR:13624] Re: What About Musical Fairness?
>Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:43:07 -0500
>
>Are you kidding?   Not many mainstream Jewish artists?    Do your
>homework!
>They may not admit (or have admitted) to it but they've been there and
>they'll always be there.  Well take what you can from it and enjoy.
>Meris
>
>Meris (at) nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
>shamash(dot)org] On
>Behalf Of YuccaBugg (at) aol(dot)com
>Sent: Monday, February 24, 2003 7:12 PM
>To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>Subject: [HANASHIR:13623] Re: What About Musical Fairness?
>
>I've never posted to this list, but I feel compelled to do so.
>
>I'm 18...last year I was TYG president and doing some songleading
>training. I write for a newspaper's teen section and my main two
>"specialties" are editorials and music reviews.  As such, I have the
>opportunity to interview many musicians.
>
>Although I do agree that there are several cases of "no comparison" in
>the music industry, and it is not what it used to be, I still don't feel
>it's fair to totally discredit as many artists as the original poster
>did.  John Mayer's "Room for Squares" is an excellent, solid album, and
>anyone who listens to it all the way through would agree that. Well,
>almost anyone. Anyway...
>
>I do agree that rap, as well as certain artists, are demeaning toward
>women.  It's a trend. Can't really help that. But I will say that I have
>respect for some rappers.  The way they create rhymes is often
>brilliant.
>
>The lack of recognition for Jewish music may be rooted in the fact that
>there ARE not many mainstream Jewish artists.  Or at least Jewish
>artists that are trying to gain mainstream recognition.  Many people
>that I've interviewed ARE Jewish, they just don't write outright
>religious music.
>
>Anyway, like many awards shows, the Grammys are heavily influenced by
>pop culture. That's always the way it's going to be.
>
>And, yes, I have heard of New Kids on the Block. I was one of the
>yuppies who got them to #1 on the TRL countdown a few years ago. I also
>did the same for Guster.  ::shrug::  It's all a matter of taste. I have
>respect for almost all musicians, no matter their culture or style.


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