Is Old Music Killing New Music?

The Atlantic ^ | January 23, 2022 | Ted Gioia

[Yardstick]

Old songs now represent 70 percent of the U.S. music market, according to the latest numbers from MRC Data, a music-analytics firm. Those who make a living from new music—especially that endangered species known as the working musician—should look at these figures with fear and trembling. But the news gets worse: The new-music market is actually shrinking. All the growth in the market is coming from old songs.

The 200 most popular new tracks now regularly account for less than 5 percent of total streams. That rate was twice as high just three years ago. The mix of songs actually purchased by consumers is even more tilted toward older music. The current list of most-downloaded tracks on iTunes is filled with the names of bands from the previous century, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Police.

[Mr. Mojo]

Here’s a the same vid of the Wolf without the intro and annoying “Reelin in the Years” banner across the screen: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9eIQIMYnPvw

It’s been on my Wolf playlist for years. Not a small number of those 1.9K views are mine. Heh. Chester had the most commanding presence of any bluesman, and not just physically. He wasn’t the most technical of harp players, but the tone he wrangled out of that thing was unbelievable.

Haven’t heard what I consider top shelf rock or blues in a very long time, but the two newish offerings you posted in 140 weren’t bad. Better than most of the period.

90%+ of what I listen to was composed/recorded prior to the mid ‘70s. Can’t see that changing. And Lord knows I’ve given all sorts of new music a fair shot these past few decades.

[Mr. Mojo]

I saw Aerosmith at the end of their peak in ‘77 at the L.A. Forum. Terrible show. They played for 80 min, tops, and seemed drunk. But I like all their albums through Draw the Line (‘78). Went downhill fast after that.

<< [Beato] thinks new metal is mostly crap >>

Aside from Black Sabbath’s first 4 albums, I feel the same about metal of any era.

Gotta question Beato’s taste if he can’t appreciate the Stones, Skynyd, and A-Bros.

[cport]

Check out The Warning

Those girls are really good. And id that bassist rocking a six string? Thanks for the recommendation.

Added bonus: all three are HOT!

[Pelham]

Thanks. I was hoping to find a copy without that intro. Now I can add my views to the total.

“Haven’t heard what I consider top shelf rock or blues in a very long time, but the two newish offerings you posted in 140 weren’t bad. Better than most of the period.”

Yeah they aren’t bad at all. I was impressed to run across some younger musicians who had a feel for that music. There’s hope for music yet. They were used on the series “Goliath” probably back around 2016.

[msgt]

No, she's playing a custom Spector 5 string that they made for her. Alejandra is a Spector sponsored artist, the youngest ever at 13 (she's now 17). The other two are her sisters, Daniela (21, vocals and guitar) and Paulina (19, Drums). All 3 also play piano.
They released an EP, the first half of their 3rd album, and first release since signing with Lava Records. The other two were independent, funded by Patreon and Kickstarter. They're touring starting in March, was supposed to start in January but got postponed due to the latest covid crap.

[Samurai_Jack]

Oh kids today are really jazzin and rockin it y’all...
Try this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGBdikVtN2o

The point is that you gotta look for new music from new mediums. The music industry is trying to make money, not music. So they’re going to do formula jams.

Listen to new music with new ears. Like the first time you heard it. The way you heard Foghat, Heart, Foreigner and Fleetwood Mac.

Check out Fire under Water
https://youtu.be/hE0rgl1jA28

This is Who we are now!
https://youtu.be/IIxU1m_Qe_8

Crank it out the car window at 70mph...

Enjoy the new tunes when you get tired of the talkers.