THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENERIC & GENIUS

 

Just like you I listen to a lot of music. Heck there is too much music to listen to. So I made a rule – if in 10 seconds it doesn’t grab me by the throat I zap and move on.

And then this morning on Facebook I hit on Solomon Burke and my EUREKA moment hit me. From the very first note I KNEW it was Solomon Burke.

WHY? ‘COS HE IS UNIQUE.

When Miles was asked aren’t there any good white jazz musicians he answered « Yeah but they aren’t creative » Cruel, but not entirely wrong – we recognize Miles, Mingus, Monk, Bessie Smith, Billie Holliday et al from the very first note.

When Jean Paul Gaultier was asked aren’t there any couturiers who aren’t gay he answered « Oui mais ils ne sont pas créatif » Cutting, but we recognize instantly a JPG, YSL frock et al at first sight.

So now my mantra is: If from the first note I say « Hey this is different I listen, if not paff! » No matter what the genre.

I’ll bet a dime to a dollar that when you heard the above either you knew instantly that it was the Duke and Mingus, or you went « Awesome I gotta hear this. »

If not you are a Backward Country Girl or Boy. 

Generic is ok for everyday, goodbye. Creative is WOW,  unique, forever and a Lady Day.

 C R E A T I V E  IS  U N I Q U E  IS  G E N I U S – OK!