Music that makes me Blub

[NormanD]

OK.

Oliver Hardy.

[howard male]

Well I shan't mention Cave here again. No, really, I won't.

[taiyo no otosan]

Yeah, stop squabbling you lot. It's only bleedin' Nick Cave. It's hardy worth it.

Listen to this instead, which got overlooked in all the furor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZSCAIP ... re=related

[DavidM]

Yeah, stop squabbling you lot. It's only bleedin' Nick Cave. It's hardy worth it.

I'm withTaiyo on this one. I think a little goes a long way with Nick.

[Ted]

I find homoeopathic quantities are all I need.

[howard male]

I do find it a little dispiriting that I can write passionately about music that moves me to tears and all I get in response is dismissive or sarcastic comments. I’ve just read through the whole of this topic and no one else is treated so disrespectfully, whatever soppy nonsense it is that gets their tear ducts opening.

[AndyM]

Perhaps not, Howard, but it's Cave that's getting ''''''picked on'''''', not Male. Personally it was an eye-opener for me to hear a Cave song I genuinely admired.

[Adam Blake]

Howard, you knew perfectly well what kind of response you'd get by posting a Nick Cave song, indeed you all but invited it. One decent song (and it is a decent song) does not undo a career of unlistenable crap - to say nothing of the shameless bastard's books. He is a blight. He should be removed to a house of correction forthwith. And you, stop snivelling and stand up straight. Put some Bowie on. See? The day Cave writes a song as good as "The Prettiest Star", come back and let me know!

[howard male]

Don’t hold back will you, Adam! I have to say I disagree. I think he is a talent, really I do - lyrically and musically (though I’m sure his books are hard work.)

He’s written half a dozen great ballads in the past decade or so, and his Grinderman project has been fairly diverting in a swaggering, disonant gothic kind of way.

When there’s so much genuinely vapid and soulless pop music flooding the airwaves I think we should be thankful that old curmudgeons like Cave are still around to shake things up a bit – however much time you actually want to spend listening to him do so.

[judith]

Come now, Howard. If people didn't think you had something to say, they wouldn't respond at all.

[judith]

This isn’t poetry where all you’ve got is the words -

I've a little more time now and I wanted to say that you bring up an important point here, Howard. There is a huge difference, though it is often forgotten. When I listen to music I rarely hear the words, more just the syllables and though it does drive people nuts who pay attention to the lyrics, I can't help it and in the end, I don't have the problem some have with vocals in a language I don't understand. Thus, for me, the imagery isn't as strong as when I am reading the written word and the vocals (voice as instrument) become musical syllables (is there a term for this?) at play with the instrumental ones, part of the musical conversation. However, I've gone back and listened a couple of times and even as musical syllables, 'leh tter' followed by 'geh tter' still kind of bothers me.

Also, I do want to say that I haven't been sarcastic in any of my replies and I should have added one of these guys :) to my post before this one.

[NormanD]

Oh dear. Sorry if I touched a nerve there, Howard. Some things are un-teaseable, I suppose. As it happens, I have seen Nick Cave a number of times, and have found him a good performer whose taste goes into music I otherwise like. But I can't add more than's already been said above.

I don't think we'd have done too well on a blind date.

[Des]

Any Genesis fans out there?

[howard male]

Judith wrote –

I've a little more time now and I wanted to say that you bring up an important point here, Howard. There is a huge difference, though it is often forgotten. When I listen to music I rarely hear the words, more just the syllables and though it does drive people nuts who pay attention to the lyrics, I can't help it and in the end, I don't have the problem some have with vocals in a language I don't understand.

Generally speaking I’m exactly the same, Judith. Words are just the sculptural form that a vocalist imposes on the melody - which is why some of the best songs in the world might just have some kind of ‘awop bop a do wop’ kind of a chorus - and why we can listen to all this foriegn stuff. It's also why I am particularly impressed when an English-language songwriter such as Mr C makes me sit up and pay attention.

It’s hard to put into words why I have no problems with that ‘love letter’ – ‘go get her’ rhyme, or in fact why I even like it. I think few people appreciate the subtle humour (and sometimes less subtle humour) of Mr C’s work but I do think it’s operating on a very low level here.

But, no, you were not one of the sarcy posters, Judith – and thanks for that.

I wouldn’t have a problem with this if it wasn’t for the fact that it seems I am ‘game’ for such responses whereas others can discuss their personal favourites without getting these kind of comebacks. It’s just that the cumulative effect eventually gets to me.

And apologies accepted Norman - as I say, it's got nothing to do with Cave in particular - I can take or leave 70% of his output - it's just to do with the points I've made above.

[AndyM]

Any Genesis fans out there?

I do hope not.

(Though I have an inexplicable soft spot for I Know What I Like In Your Wardrobe.)