Comments on: The Wit and Wisdom of Jerry G. http://newdeadfan.com/2009/06/19/the-wit-and-wisdom-of-jerry-g/ A MIDDLE-AGED GUY BECOMES A GRATEFUL DEAD FAN IN 2009 Mon, 24 May 2010 00:52:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: igorjazz http://newdeadfan.com/2009/06/19/the-wit-and-wisdom-of-jerry-g/#comment-61 igorjazz Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:36:57 +0000 http://newdeadfan.com/?p=229#comment-61 Another cool topic. One of the things I struggle with as I listen to the vast majority of vocal music is the disproportionate effects of the music and the lyrics on me. Music is a sometimes frighteningly powerful influence on my well-being but in vocal music the accompanying lyrics frequently don't add much to my experience of the music. In fact, I'm usually happy with the lyrics if they don't dampen the experience of the music. Not a high bar to set, but there you have it. As for the lyrics to the Dead's music, they are all over the map with me; some detract from the music (eg, "China Cat Sunflower," "Franklin's Tower"), some just stay out of the music's way (eg, "Dark Star," "The Other One"), and some enhance the music (eg, "Brokedown Palace," "Black Muddy River"). Not very many songwriters routinely write lyrics that enhance their music; Bob Dylan and James Taylor immediately come to mind. Thanks for another good post. Another cool topic. One of the things I struggle with as I listen to the vast majority of vocal music is the disproportionate effects of the music and the lyrics on me. Music is a sometimes frighteningly powerful influence on my well-being but in vocal music the accompanying lyrics frequently don’t add much to my experience of the music. In fact, I’m usually happy with the lyrics if they don’t dampen the experience of the music. Not a high bar to set, but there you have it.

As for the lyrics to the Dead’s music, they are all over the map with me; some detract from the music (eg, “China Cat Sunflower,” “Franklin’s Tower”), some just stay out of the music’s way (eg, “Dark Star,” “The Other One”), and some enhance the music (eg, “Brokedown Palace,” “Black Muddy River”).

Not very many songwriters routinely write lyrics that enhance their music; Bob Dylan and James Taylor immediately come to mind.

Thanks for another good post.

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