In an episode of ‘The Talk’ Emiko raised the question of the divide between the older and younger audiophiles and how a conversational bridge might be built between them.
Rick Beato’s thoughtful explanation of “Why Boomers Hate Pop music” suggests another reason for the divide other than changes in audio technology such as movement to plug and play, less interest in messing around with devices and DIY. What Rick shows clearly are the musical reasons for a musical divide.
From a young person’s perspective I too might be one of those ‘cantankerous’ crusty older folk! There are musical reasons behind why I cant resonate with much modern music. Thankfully there are exceptions, those that break the mould such as Rhiannon Giddens, or Madeleine Peyroux.
Perhaps if some younger audiophiles were willing to gives the some of the earlier ‘old man music’ a try that might help the conversation.
Musical sophistication can also show the capability of audio equipment in a different light. Sonic deficiencies and flaws with audio equipment may be glossed over by less harmonically rich music, yet ‘stand out like dogs balls’ when some harmonically rich music is played.
The crusty older audiophile might not want to engage because they think the younger audiophile is an ‘ignoramus’, ‘empty headed’ yet if they haven’t been given the opportunity to notice sonic faults and virtues of musical reproduction then that isn’t fair nor educative. Telling is usually nowhere as useful as showing. Yet you need to be ready for the answer, audio equipment may sail through the reproduction of harmonically simple and heavily processed music might sound awful when playing some old man music! To be a seeker of knowledge you need have some courage to face disappointment.
The world become so deadly serious, the word Larkin seems just about gone. There is no reason why the journey cant be fun. When I say old man music, music of my youth and earlier can still speak and teach. Just take Duane Allman 1969 & Boz Scaggs ''Loan Me A Dime''.
Loam Me a Dime has time to work in many dimensions, it has many timberal shadings, that linger on the heart. Its goes beyond being merely clever and catchy.