"Money for Nothing" was written tongue-in-cheek and poked fun at the same
medium (MTV) via which it became a "hit" video... Not many writers (save for
Ray Davies) can write witty tunes that deliver a sly brand of humor at the
same time... Knopler's guitar playing was subtle, yet driving in its own
quiet way... But I guess not everyone is keen to delve into genius and needs
their music served in a "don't-make-me-have-to-think-too-hard" manner... I
will acknowledge however that, perhaps, Knopfler's best composing and
performance days are behind him...


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "mtn-high" <mtn-high@comcast.net>
To: <audities@smoe.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: The Day the Music Died


> Mark "We got to move these refrigerators...we got to move these Color
> TV's..." Knopfler?
>
> Definietely a defining moment here in the "Yup, radio sucks" department.
> Right up there with "FM"
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Miguel Motta" <motta_m@firn.edu>
> To: <audities@smoe.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 8:12 AM
> Subject: The Day the Music Died
>
>
> I await with anticipation the broadcast of "The Day the Music Died"... I
> can't wait to catch the insight that'll be shared on this special ... But
> does it really take anyone by surprise that the music industry is
> hurting?... In my humble opinion there are quite a few clear factors that
> don't require the depth of a rocket scientist to see that this was a long
> time in the making... First and foremost (and I know I'm going to get a
lot
> of rocks thrown in my direction); the quality of the music... I honestly
> think that the 60's produced the greatest and most genuine outpouring of
> real talent spearheaded by The Beatles, followed by the rest of the
British
> Invasion which, in turn, fostered a renewed faith and inspiration strong
> enough to create good music here in the US (California sound, etc.)...
> Actually, I believe that the music started dying in the 70's especially
with
> the disco boom... Ear candy, disposable and clearly forgetable only to pop
> up ocassionally as "Oh yea... I remember them" bands and singers... As the
> 80's and MTV rolled in once again a crop of disposable acts that were good
> for a music video or two with an occassional real talent coming along in
the
> form of Mark Knopfler or so... The 90's, ouch... and now into the new
> millennium a host of Power-Tool bands all sounding cookie cutter and who,
> when people in the year 2100 look back to remember what happened around
the
> 80's, 90's and new millennium it will all go back to ... you guessed it,
The
> Beatles and the 60's... Interestingly enough there was a recent article
> posted on usatoday.com where young kids are asking to borrow their
parents'
> and grandparents' Beatles, Stones & Led Zep CD's; I think that testifies
to
> the fact...
>
> ...Ok ladies & gentlemen, you may line up with your rocks...lol... Thanks
> for letting me get my two-pence in...
>
> Peace,
>
> Miguel
>
>
>