music

Chris, thanks for another great write-up. It's awesome to have a music writer with so much perspective at our local paper.

""I think it's time for classic hip-hop to start getting treated more like classic rock," said the real-life Carlton Ridenhour, now 52. "There are too many radio stations to count still playing the Beatles and the Stones and Led Zeppelin, but there aren't any still playing Run-DMC and LL Cool J and Public Enemy."" ---- Sorry, but the reason those stations are still playing those bands is because that is what people want to hear. McCartney would (has) sold out the "X" while PE is playing First Avenue.

Jbpaper - I respectfully disagree. Hip hop is nothing like classic rock and there is no chance it will withstand the proverbial test of time, much to the chagrin of Kid Rock, who is one of the few rappers who possesses any genuine musical talent.

This ridiculous "classic" rock bicker is silly. Music reflects its times, and both genres reflect the times they grew up in. It's disappointing to see the smugness that just because demographics provide the buying power of the ob-la-di crowd, somehow its art is more legitimate than other view points. For me, I will quote Chuck - I get down with what it is, and if it ain't funky, see ya.

ARRey sez: Undoubtedly one of the premier musicians of all time.

ARRey sez: McCartney and Public Enema are as comparable as Lindsay Lohan and Jackie Stewart.

You can't compare Public Enemy with Paul McCartney, because they've never done the same thing. I've got all kinds of music in my collection; classic rock, punk, rap, classical, jazz, blues, reggae, rockabilly, "alternative," pop; you name it. I never have to decide whether I want to listen to Led Zeppelin or Public Enemy because they're so different, if I even consider the one I'm certainly in no mood for the other. I'm glad to hear PE has a new album coming out. I'll be sure to pick it up (and I'm a white guy in my late 40s). I'm very pleased to hear Chuck D.'s words of respect for Brother Ali, whose work I like a lot, and whose son is one of my daughter's classmates, so I see the guy at school events all the time. Which may not be something most people would expect from a peer of Chuck D's. That's an unfortunate misunderstanding of the rap genre, or what it can and should be.