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From: ag4@pucc-h (Jeff Lewis)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Mannheim Steamroller
Message-ID: <1253@pucc-h>
Date: Mon, 24-Sep-84 22:17:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.1253
Posted: Mon Sep 24 22:17:20 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Sep-84 19:23:32 EDT
References: <1150@hou4b.UUCP>
Organization: The Widget Works
Lines: 31

> > [Jeff Lewis]
> > ...it strikes me that these types of groups lack a good solid
> > background in current popular music because they don't realize
> > what is old hat (i.e. BORING) from that style.

> [Ed Horch]
> I don't think Jackson Berkey, et al, care about their popularity.  If
> they did they'd not be recording on some no-name Omaha record label,
> and they wouldn't be charging >$15 per album.  They'd payola their
> way onto some influential radio stations, and not allow for a
> minute their music to be heard as the background to "ABC's Wide
> World of Sports" commentary.  Actually, though, if we talk about
> popularity as universal appeal, rather than superstardom or tours
> or airplay or record sales, they are VERY popular.  I have played
> the Fresh Aire albums for many people, with tastes ranging from
> ghetto-blaster music to C&W to heavy metal, to Bach/Brahms.  The
> albums were enjoyed by EVERYONE, without exception, that I played
> them for.

I love for groups to not care about their popularity; it keeps their
heads where they belong.  What I meant by that comment was that, while
I enjoy The Steamroller (I just purchased a copy of F.A. III, and at
those prices, you know it's more than a passing interest), I just
wish, for example, that their drummer would play something more
interesting than the standard overused four-on-the-floor set-playing that
was perfectly acceptable in Jr. High, and most top 40 songs, but ...
(O.k. so I'm a percussionist and it hits a sore spot)

--
Jeff Lewis
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