i have nothing to contribute to this debate at the moment
however, i want to quote comments that i think on-target and worthy of discussion
first, soundslike1981 on "authenticity"
what do opponents of "authenticity" take the term to mean? and given that meaning, why are they opposed to it? -- and what value would they set up place of authenticity? -- i.e., "what is the alternative . . . that is to be prized instead"?
and what do advocates of "authenticity" understand it to mean? and why do they champion it?
however, i want to quote comments that i think on-target and worthy of discussion
first, soundslike1981 on "authenticity"
soundslike1981 said:I think there are valid reasons to mistrust the effect of a top-down approach to music in the style of Wal-Mart; without denying the possible brilliance of a situation like, say, Motown. Certainly it's a losing game to overly romanticise the "grassroots," the "community," the "independent" musician (especially in an age when "indie" refers more to a fashion sense than any ethical stance). Nevertheless, it's at least equally dangerous (in a sense that goes beyond music into real life-and-death issues) to so stringently deny the possibility that bad things can happen when Big Box-style commerce meets music. To do so in the name of anti-racism (or some other enlightened ethical position) seems disengenuous . . . . Again, what is the alternative to "authentic" that is to be prized instead? . . . . I hardly mean to defend "authenticity" as the definitive criterion in evaluating music. It is indeed a loaded and diffuse term; but one not without meaning. Is the total rejection of "authenticity" driven by a fear of Paul Simon-style liberal yuppie "world music fan" exoticism/cultural imperialism/"reverse" racism and the ways that sphere misused and abused the term? Strangely, I feel I've more often heard "authentic" weilded in the complimentary sense by self-conscious anti-racists than by boys with their guitar toys.
what do opponents of "authenticity" take the term to mean? and given that meaning, why are they opposed to it? -- and what value would they set up place of authenticity? -- i.e., "what is the alternative . . . that is to be prized instead"?
and what do advocates of "authenticity" understand it to mean? and why do they champion it?