...I've never been a big fan of Country. But, outside of Rap, I like most anything done well. I just can't tell when Rap is done well and when its not...
contemporary country has....a story (always), great mixes, and what seems like an endless supply of outstanding musicians. Most of these guys can really play...
Fred,
In my experience, country music has the sharpest players, and most competent engineers/producers, of any style of contemporary North American music. Partly because a very large portion of their audience are amateur musicians, and partly because the competition is so intense. Although not a fan of country music specifically, I love their productions, and their musicians.
And Kris Kristofferson...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YleF5tJuQ64"Spoken word" vocals have long been an interest of mine, and like it or not, rap is a form of spoken word performance. "Walk This Way" is an example of spoken word - one version by Aerosmith before rap came along, and now a version by Run DMC -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AKaV911uJA - rap style.
In my opinion, two excellent versions of a spoken word composition. So yes, I think there is
some good rap music.
NeoN,
Radical selection, dude
. Thanks for the links!