Anorak Nation: Discussion: Re: The Communicator, 189, and the Dutch

As you say, it is a matter of opinion.

Although it's not the sole factor, age IS one of the factors. I was 6 when Elvis first hit big over here and even at that age I could hear that it was something totally revolutionary - quite simply there had been nothing like it. My father's reaction was explosive (against it), but then he was knocking on 50 and the older folks felt threatened by "Rock'n'Roll". Elvis' legacy was to fuse a number of different genres in a unique way and to bring "black" music to white audiences. The best analogy I can give is, let's suppose you've been listening to a fading battery-powered radio and all of a sudden it's plugged into the mains. It's that massive shockwave. But if you weren't around at the time, how could you possibly understand those shockwaves - I hope I don't sound patronising, that isn't the object. I'm just saying that we're products of our own eras and we notice what goes on during "our time" - everything else is a second hand experience. Don't judge Elvis by his late 60s records and his image before he died. He was a major figure in the history of Popular music and listening to his tracks laid down at Sun Studios you hear (well, I do) something special and unique, totally electrifying. The small amount of video footage from that era is exciting beyond belief, to this day, for me. Equally when he did his "TV Comeback Special" in the late 60s, that was someone who had lost his way, hadn't performed live in years and was finding he really enjoyed it and still had that magic - sure the edge of the youngster had gone but he still cut it. A shame he went down the pan and Col Tom Parker his manager has some culpability there.

But coming back to Caroline's output, we have a real problem as the Lady now spans 44 years and many many genres and styles have come and gone during that time. It's a tough (maybe impossible) task trying to keep everyone happy. For me, punk was the death of music as rock'n'roll had been to my father's generation.To be honest, if I were running Caroline and had the funds, I'd have (at least two) two services, a genuine Gold service - not what we get from the commercial sector - and a "current music" Caroline championing new music, new singers and new bands - let's face it, it was the tough job Ronan had trying to promote the then unknown (commercially) Georgie Fame that was the catalyst in setting up Caroline in the first place.

Alan

--------------
Alan Milewczyk aka The Pole with Soul
Soul pix on the net at www.soulman1949.com