In my opinion, there aren't many around; they just don't make 'em like this anymore....
Dylan was an excellent song-writer, in my opinion, and contributed some of the best songs ever written: Tangled Up in Blue, Positively 4th Street, &
All along the Watchtower. Now, a lot of people back then thought that he was selling himself out (when he went Electric), and maybe he did.... But my
opinion of him hasn't changed. I haven't heard a Dylan song that I didn't like.
Morrison was also a great Song-writer & poet, always testing the lines and pushing them as far as he could (The Miami Incident/Ed Sullivan Show) and I
think thats what made him so appealing at his time. He didn't so much "play an instrument" as he did "toss around some marraca's" but his stage
presence, contributed in making him a great musician. If you've heard the live version of "Break on Through" you can attest to Jim's wailing crys,
which no doubt shows confidence on stage. Check out "An American Prayer" if you want some broody dark Morrison Poetry.
Awake.
Shake Dreams from your hair my pretty child my sweet one,
choose the day, choose your sign of the day, the days divinity.
First Thing you See.
We Laugh like soft made children smug in the wolly cotten brains of infancy
.....For me, Morrison was a Musical Genious.
Hendrix was a phenomenal guitar player for his time, which in my opinion makes him a musical genious. During the late 60's (in my opinion) him and
Carlos Santana were competing for the title - as they were both coming up in the music industry and rocking out hardcore with rifts that I still
can't even wrap my head around. Hendrix's rendition of "All along the Watchtower" was great. I have to say though, I personally love, when he
played the National Anthem at Woodstock.
Do I have to explain? Guitar. Politics. Peace. (Minus Yoko) One word: Imagine.
Chris Martin is rapidly becoming one of my favorites. Having watched the BBC Special of their new album Viva La Vida/Death and All his Friends - I am
convinced this man has a ton of talent bottled up in there. Coldplay is easily on my list of favorite bands, and I personally liked their new Album.
He plays Piano (OMG - Clocks - excellent song), Guitar, and he always sounds like he singing with emotion.... (The Scientist). Charisma+Excellent Song
Writing = Musical Genious.
OKay, so in this particular picture I might not be too entirely fond of the pants, but Sinatra had a voice that could melt those off of any woman
standing in the room. I don't even know how many people have recorded "The Way you Look Tonight" or "Baby its Cold Outside" but I don't think
ANYONE can compare to either of those performances.
Being that I was a Classical Pianist for 15 years of my childhood life, I know my Mother and my Piano teacher would both smack me upside the head for
NOT mentioning some Classical Musicians. Now, I've tried to write a few songs - classical pieces, and I've tried to name them "Aria's" or
"Sonatta's" but the truth is, Beethovens first composition is better than my best. I can appreciate his ability to write such increddible pieces -
without actually
hearing them.... A man who can sit at a Piano, and imagine what the sounds will make together...I can't help but lable him a
genious.
I had the pleasure of playing an Oscar Peterson piece for my RCM 8 Examination a couple of years ago. I've gotta tell you, no one can write and/or
play jazz, as romantically and as well as Oscar could. It's such a shame that he passed a few years ago, I really wanted to see him perform... (The
Gentle Waltz is a great listen).
Okay, so there are just a few that I think (Trust me, I have more, but I'll give everyone else a chance too).
Great Topic, PS.
- Carrot