As I’m just about to send this out to you Lefsetz just sent out about the same thing.
Oh well.
Great minds. Right?
You need to click through and read this Quincy Jones article.
I’ve copied and pasted a few things here, but the full article is better and has a lot more cussing.
But here’s the thing that sticks out the most…he’s 85 and answers questions freely. He’s concerned with having a quality conversation with the interviewer, not appeasing the interviewer.
Reading this gives a sense of what music culture used to be. Bold. Sassy. Unconcerned with anyone who isn’t interested.
Read it. You’ll get it.
So yes, here’s a few golden nuggets. But it’s worth clicking though to the article.
Is there innovation happening in modern pop music? Hell no. It’s just loops, beats, rhymes and hooks. What is there for me to learn from that? There ain’t no fucking songs. The song is the power; the singer is the messenger. The greatest singer in the world cannot save a bad song. I learned that 50 years ago, and it’s the single greatest lesson I ever learned as a producer. If you don’t have a great song, it doesn’t matter what else you put around it.
Putting aside the quality of contemporary songs, are there any technical or sonic production techniques that feel fresh? No. There ain’t nothing new. The producers are lazy and greedy.
How does that laziness manifest itself? Listen to the music — these guys don’t know what they’re doing. You’ve got to respect the gift God gave you by learning your craft.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com