X, I have to confess I never even heard of the folks you mention, with the exception of Dylan Thomas.
I never cared for American pop music, although I have certainly been exposed to decades & decades of it. In fact, much of it actively irritates me. (Frank Sinatra & the other "crooners" used to make me want to throw up, for example.)
Exceptions: As a teenager, I was infatuated with New Orleans Jazz (which borders with/grew out of folk music), and I still love blues.
Generally, I like classical music and I like many forms of folk music (again, "authentic" folk; I hate imitations). I especially like the kind that makes me want to dance: Russian Gypsy, Rembetiko ("Greek Blues"), Portuguese Fados, etc.
I should add that I find the kind of techno music my son has been producing in his studio (as a sideline to playing gigs) very interesting, from the musical point of view: very original and complex rhythms, inventive harmonies & instrumentation, etc. The problem, for me, with most American-style (or British-style) pop is that it is not musically challenging. And I don't even like the tunes! (One exception I can remember off the top of my head: "Hotel California." And also "Those Were the Days" --but there, the tune was actually an old Russian marching tune!) |
