My ultimate goal in listening to music

Why?

That is at the root of enjoying music. If successful, I will have an endless supply of music I can enjoy.

It solves part of the fundamental dilemma of life, which is that it's good, but the portions are too small :-)

very enlightening, Munch :-)

I am to at a loss to see what this over analysis is all about.
Why do you think everybody(or just you) needs dissect every performance.
Can you not just listen and enjoy?

Lots of reasons, far too many to list.

More often than not, it's a simple enjoyment and/or a voyage of discovery.

Different music feeds different needs.

In my world (which, I should add, is a lovely place with very cheap beer and no cars) there is no ultimate goal for anything.

Good music is like a good book, in that you will profit from multiple encounters.

Each line re-read exposes more story.

The characters come to life, and breathe.

So if you find one you like, milk it for everything it has.

The opportunity doesn't come along as often as you might at first think :-)

Munch, that's funny. I just buried a cat.

So fuck you :-)

I'd love to have you say that to my face.

That would be something special.

coward.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

I am to at a loss to see what this over analysis is all about.
Why do you think everybody(or just you) needs dissect every performance.
Can you not just listen and enjoy?

Analysis and enjoyment are not mutually exclusive, and in fact the former can greatly enhance the latter.

I feel like this would be a good moment to re-post my favorite Richard Feynman quote, addressing this very issue:

I have a friend who's an artist, and he sometimes takes a view which I don't agree with. He'll hold up a flower and say, "Look how beautiful it is," and I'll agree. But then he'll say, "I, as an artist, can see how beautiful a flower is. But you, as a scientist, take it all apart and it becomes dull." I think he's kind of nutty.

First of all, the beauty that he sees is available to other people--and to me, too, I believe. Although I might not be quite as refined aesthetically as he is, I can appreciate the beauty of a flower. But at the same time, I see much more in the flower than he sees. I can imagine the cells inside, which also have a beauty. There's beauty not just at the dimension of one centimeter; there's also beauty at a smaller dimension.

There are the complicated actions of the cells, and other processes. The fact that the colors in the flower have evolved in order to attract insects to pollinate it is interesting; that means insects can see the colors. That adds a question: does this aesthetic sense we have also exist in lower forms of life? There are all kinds of interesting questions that come from a knowledge of science, which only adds to the excitement and mystery and awe of a flower. It only adds. I don't understand how it subtracts.

All best,
Fred

Munch, you have no sense of humor. But I'm willing to let this pass if you are.

Fred,
Top post. Feynman is a hero of mine. I wish I'd been able to read physics under him. He was one of those teachers who captivates as soon as he speaks. David Attenborough's another.

Mike, why don't you spend some of the enormous amount of spare time you seem to have actually listening to music? It seems to me that if you have to make such efforts to explain it all you may be listening to the wrong stuff.

munch,

You made me google *plonker*.

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

Analysis and enjoyment are not mutually exclusive, and in fact the former can greatly enhance the latter.

Indeed it can Fred, equally, it can detract from visceral pleasures. Horses for courses and all that.

Nice quote though.

quote:

Originally posted by TomK:
Mike, why don't you spend some of the enormous amount of spare time you seem to have actually listening to music? It seems to me that if you have to make such efforts to explain it all you may be listening to the wrong stuff.

I listen a great deal, but many times (like right now) I'm waiting for test jobs to run and have no access to listen to music.

I write here because I like to write, especially about music.

Why would you care anyway?

I spend less time writing about how others spend their time than some others do.

Well Munch, at least we know what we think of each other.

Just when I thought it was safe to tip my toes into the water!

Lighten up gents,

never thought I'd say it but I miss Adam.

I used to think it was due to him that my interest in the forum was waining.

There's not a better specimen post here to show me otherwise.



SJB

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:

Lighten up gents,

SJB

It's over. The post that got me riled is gone, so the spat doesn't make any sense.

and Munch, I generally ignore and avoid your posts, and try not to post to your threads.

It would be nice if you would return the favor.

In general, Naim users are pretty damn smart, and savvy about music.

They could have gone many different ways, but they chose Naim and the music.

So no one else has a goal of some sort, in their listening?

PD

Mike mate...I'm coming in peace here, so don't jump dowm me throat. I shed a tear for that cat my friend.

I do see what your question is Mike, but I think the responses above have answered this, albeit in a manner which is at odds with your habits.

There are many, many reasons to listen to music Mike...and most folk run the whole gambit.

Sometimes I want to be challenged by somat avant garde from Can,

Sometimes I want to be moved by Mingus,

Sometimes I want to remember what it's like to rebel with The Clash,

Sometimes I want the Pixies to make me angry,

Sometimes I want Jimmy Taylor to make it all seem ok,

Sometimes I want to marvel at the poetry of Dylan,

Sometimes Harriet Wheeler get's me horny,

Sometimes I want Robert Johnson to remind me just how powerful music really is,

Sometimes I want to get smashed and dance round the room to Ian Pooley,

Sometime I'd love to sit down with you and pick apart some Poulenc.

But mate...there's lot's of sometimes and it changes all the time. If there's one overidding 'theme' (as opposed to goal)...I want it to make my life better.

Matt, right now I am going through a "WOW" moment with Bach's Well Tempered Clavier as played by Angelia Hewitt and Maurizio Pollini.

I am writing an impression of my feelings on the GeoffP Well Tempered Clavier thread. It is my feelings.

Everyone has feelings, but they come in many, many different flavors.

And all those feelings can be expressed in words. I have faith in that.

That would be part of the fun in being on a forum.

That's what this thread is for. That sort of expression, of your feelings in response to some music.

My feelings are all tied up in what I know, as are yours.

God willing, every response will be different.

So to see me the way I am, look on GeoffP Well tempered Clavier later tonight :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Mat Cork:

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

Analysis and enjoyment are not mutually exclusive, and in fact the former can greatly enhance the latter.

Indeed it can Fred, equally, it can detract from visceral pleasures.

Of course it can, Matt, but not ipso facto, as too many believe. This is my point ... too many folks have a knee-jerk reaction to critical thought and analysis, believing that there is something inherent in such activity that detracts from enjoyment, mystery, what have you.

All best,
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Mat Cork:


Sometimes I want the Pixies to make me angry,

Be careful Mat, you may grow up to be a Debaser.


SJB