@stuartk 

@mahler123 

@markmoskow 

@moonwatcher 

Seems that there are a lot of similarities in how our individual musical journeys have affected our current tastes.

We were lucky to have been there in the beginning in the late 60's and early 70's, but maybe unlucky in that we developed very high standards in what constituted good music. It also gave us a broad spectrum of musical genres to enjoy when you consider popular music included bands like the Allman Bros., ELO, The Eagles, Steely Dan, Bowie, Black Sabbath and Joni Mitchell.

Then things changed.

1. Mid 70's. Still vibrant and varied music being made, but less of everything.
2. Late 70's. Disco happens and popular music becomes more formulaic and emotionally shallow. Also, as a reaction to the disco world, punk music begins.
3. Early 80's. New Wave and Punk take over and music starts to die. Musicianship all but disappears and image is everything. Style over substance.
4. Late 80's and early 90's. New Wave declines and hip hop/rap surges into the void. Both genres devalue musicianship and music follows a stagnant formula that still exists three decades later.
5. Late 90's to today. Shallow, bland, formulaic, pop music that places 90% on image and 10% on substance.

Please keep in mind that these are gross generalizations, only meant to illustrate how I see musical history. There is still a lot of current music that remains vital and innovative, but musicianship is still in short supply.

The result of this is that my current musical taste includes a large amount of vintage jazz, as well as a love for opera. Both genres feed my need for instrumental and vocal sophistication and both require you to use your brain.

The added benefit is that jazz and classical records just sound better and allow good equipment to shine.

1971 was the year I graduated from High School. Way too many good memories, along with the great music that I still play often!

ozzy

@whart 

Actually, one of the bands that I consider very underrated was also on UK Island.

The Sutherland Bros. & Quiver had several good albums with the best being "Lifeboat" which featured one of the most underrated guitarists in Tim Renwick.

Renwick also appears on albums by Al Stewart, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Elton John, Alan Parsons and  The Pretenders.

@moonwatcher 

But this body of work is out there, waiting for future generations to discover and love.  I believe some of them will stand the test of time just as classical compositions have after hundreds of years. If something is "good" I think it always will be. 

I agree. I'm definitely not one of those who believes the only yardstick applicable for determining whether music (or any other art)  is "good" is subjective taste!

@tony1954

We were lucky to have been there in the beginning in the late 60’s and early 70’s, but maybe unlucky in that we developed very high standards in what constituted good music. It also gave us a broad spectrum of musical genres to enjoy ...

 

Yes.