Re: good music

>>1. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
>
>In what sense is this a rock group? Top-of-the-line, yes; popular, very;
>rock, I think not.

Bass, drums, and they play at rock-type shows, opening for the likes of
Dave Matthews. Enough for me. Graham Breed and I recently had a bout
about music classification, and instead of going thru it again, I'll say
that I may have a broader definition of rock than most.

>>2. Ozric Tentacles
>
>They don't _suck_, but I sure get tired of them very quickly.

I'm new on them (Pungent Effulgent and Erpland), but there is some rhythmic
innovation going on. And, at the very least, they prove stunning
virtuosity, with their instruments, and with their sound.

>Do you think Medeski, Martin & Wood is a rock group? They're really good
>too (my friend Bob Moses was their teacher!)

It's funny, they were the only other group I almost added. I haven't done
a lot of listening to them, but my initial reaction is to put them on just
the next level down from these three. Yes, I consider them a rock group.
Most of the people I know that listen to them listen to rock and rap. Bob
Moses- Cool!

>>3. Phish
>
>They push the envelope _and_ bring it home! Probably more people have
>heard 20th-century techniques because of Phish than through the efforts
>of any other musician or group (including Boulez). Don't buy a CD -- see
>them live.

I've never been to a show, but I certainly have made a study of their
albums. I also followed that chess game they played with the audience. I
was telling Graham Breed, who had never heard of them, that as far as I
know they are the most popular band since 1980 never to appear on MTV.

>Any of these three groups would no doubt make marvelous use of
>microtonal scales.

Ozric, in particular, is just begging for them. I read an interview with
Ed Wynne, and he discussed his use of using strange (12tET) scales and
bending notes. He actually mentioned Steve Vai's use of microtones, but
said that he wouldn't go that far because it seemed to him that it would be
out of tune with regular music. How's that for justice?

Phish has some of the most brilliant vocals around (I submit that JI is the
best model for them). They've also done interesting things like purposely
singing flat (Hoist).

Carl