04-16-2014, 05:57 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-16-2014, 05:58 AM by Lunamancer.)
It's strange. Every criticism I've ever heard of Harry Chapin I've found makes specific points that 180 degrees opposite of my experience. For example, I've heard some criticize his songs for being preachy. I just don't see it. I see just the opposite.
As for the charge that his music is overly simple. Yeah, I've heard that one, too. I just think the opposite is true. I will try to explain where I'm coming from.
As someone who actively plays an analyzes music, I get into the fine details. I've been a semi-pro for years. Understand that what gets me off musically often goes undetected by the music layman.
So when I write, I tend to get very intricate to make me happy as a musician while simultaneously making it sound simple for the casual listener.
I feel this is an apt description for Harry Chapin's music, and that is why I enjoy Chapin's music. I know first hand the immense amount of creativity this takes, and he does it admirably. If it sounds familiar or predictable, it's deliberate. That's actually a defining characteristic of the folk genre he's emulating.
I'll end with a question and a comment.
Question: Can you REALLY hum or whistle a Chapin tune you'd never heard before, or do you only think you can? In other words, if I tested you with a sampling, are you sure you'd be humming on key?
Comment: I'm also a big fan of Queensryche. Geoff Tate once stated in an interview that they set out to make music that sounds complicated but in reality is simple at the core. The very opposite of what I do and what Chapin does. Still, huge amount of appreciation for Queensryche.
As for the charge that his music is overly simple. Yeah, I've heard that one, too. I just think the opposite is true. I will try to explain where I'm coming from.
As someone who actively plays an analyzes music, I get into the fine details. I've been a semi-pro for years. Understand that what gets me off musically often goes undetected by the music layman.
So when I write, I tend to get very intricate to make me happy as a musician while simultaneously making it sound simple for the casual listener.
I feel this is an apt description for Harry Chapin's music, and that is why I enjoy Chapin's music. I know first hand the immense amount of creativity this takes, and he does it admirably. If it sounds familiar or predictable, it's deliberate. That's actually a defining characteristic of the folk genre he's emulating.
I'll end with a question and a comment.
Question: Can you REALLY hum or whistle a Chapin tune you'd never heard before, or do you only think you can? In other words, if I tested you with a sampling, are you sure you'd be humming on key?
Comment: I'm also a big fan of Queensryche. Geoff Tate once stated in an interview that they set out to make music that sounds complicated but in reality is simple at the core. The very opposite of what I do and what Chapin does. Still, huge amount of appreciation for Queensryche.