There is no doubt that some pieces by some artists are simply great and that on first hearing virtually every listener can be appreciative of the quality of the art presented. Into this category I would put pieces such as "Freddie Freeloader", by Miles Davis, "Let's Go Out Tonight" by The Blue Nile or even "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead. But what makes it onto our ipod playlist or the ubiquitous 80s mixtape (superseded by the mix cd which seems just too easy) as "great music" is, i suspect, a much more complex process.
I remember a friend at school patronising those of us who had never enjoyed the works of Daevid Allen or the skills of Jacquo Pastorius as though such knowledge was commonplace. Taste in music isn't commonplace for anyone as it is probably more influenced by commercial than quality issues. You've probably never even heard of "In These Arms" by The Swell Season but if I tell you it's great, will that encourage you to download it? Or are you more likely to download the latest offering by whoever has the ear of the local radio producer?
I really like "I Gotta Feelin' " by the Black Eyed Peas. It has a great beat and a catchy hook but I don't think it's great music. So why do I like it? Partly it was soundtrack to our family holiday this summer, it played at a party I was at recently dancing crazy with a friend and it's just fun; it isn't great though. The constant radio air play also makes it more of a memory than memorable and all of this builds it in my conciousness as a track I "like". And there's nothing wrong with that.
What makes music great may be quality but what makes music really special is the place in life where you heard it, the person you sang it for, the smile, the longing, the kiss, the love, the heartbreak, the memory, the loss, the tears, the starting again and the hope. Oh, and the album cover when they were real covers, but don't get me started on that!
Special music for me at the moment is " I'm Yours," by Jason Mraz. It isn't great but I love it and so it's on my current playlist? What about you?
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