| The problem with music critics, myself
included, is that the thirst for great music that originally drove
us into the world’s lowest-paying profession tends gradually
to degenerate until all that’s left is an itch for novelty. James
Taylor could go into a studio next month and record the definitive
Californian
singer-songwriter album, something so perfect in & of itself that
only the most untutored ear could fail to recognize its particular
genius within its genus, and what would the critics then say? Three
stars. All of ‘em, three stars. Whether they liked James Taylor
in the first place or not. Three stars. Why? Because James Taylor’s
posited Perfect Californian Singer-Songwriter Album would be breaking
no new ground. It would only be, we should all be so lucky, some fifty
straight minutes of songs equal to or better than “Fire and Rain.” |
| 1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 [ next ] |