Outstanding analysis, penetrating insight, and gracefully written as always, Jenna! As you know, I'm more than a little pessimistic about the country's trajectory. You are the one writer, indeed the one mind and spirit that encourages me to pause and reassess my own rather brooding outlook. For that, I owe you my sincere gratitude and undying admiration.
Gosh, Dave I'm not sure I'm worthy of such praise. I just try to write about what I see and hope to spread a little insight along the way. Thank you for the kind (and much too generous) words.
Thanks for posting this... I remember those bands and the care they took in their craft. Today's music is 98% crap except people like Jason Aldean, Oliver Anthony, and others like them.
That isn’t true it’s just different. There are just as many underground musicians with massive talent as any other time, it’s up to the listener to find them. I’m not fan of death metal, but you can’t deny the drummers are beyond anything in the past as far as precision and speed. Tool would hold up with any bad from any era. I don’t know any odl bands writing songs in Fibonacci sequence. Led Zeppelin would be the equivalent as far as complexity, only difference would be their influence. Page and Plant follow satanic practices while Maynard is a believer in God through much struggle like many of us. I’m all for tradition keeping while trying not to turn into the old man yelling get off my lawn
I was directed to this article by Dear Rest of America, and I'm blown away at the depth of this. God bless the deep thinkers like you who help the rest of us to see and understand what is really going on. I gave up social media as a whole 2 years ago, and I don't miss it one bit, and that's why I really love pieces like this. Thank you, and please keep up the great work.
You know what else I appreciate about you thus far: your genuine humility, something sadly and obviously lacking in our current culture. I'm 68, so I'm at the latter end of the boomer generation, and your writing is thirst-quenching.
I suspect like many others my first exposure to The Band was "The Last Waltz." I can (and do) watch and listen to those performances over and over. Thank you for adding cultural context to The Band's place in Americana. Your post will give me another layer of meaning and pleasure to their music.
Thank you so much for reading and especially for commenting. "The Last Waltz" is amazing; I "found" The Band through Dylan and it's been a fascinating journey through music and cultural history (often interwoven) discovering more with each listen -- or viewing. I appreciate your support, David. Thanks again!
Carl and the Passions So Tough -- highly underrated and grossly overlooked. I'm partial to “You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone.” You should write about this! (if you haven't already). You're one of the most eloquent and passionate people about music and culture I deeply admire it.
Outstanding analysis, penetrating insight, and gracefully written as always, Jenna! As you know, I'm more than a little pessimistic about the country's trajectory. You are the one writer, indeed the one mind and spirit that encourages me to pause and reassess my own rather brooding outlook. For that, I owe you my sincere gratitude and undying admiration.
Gosh, Dave I'm not sure I'm worthy of such praise. I just try to write about what I see and hope to spread a little insight along the way. Thank you for the kind (and much too generous) words.
Thanks for posting this... I remember those bands and the care they took in their craft. Today's music is 98% crap except people like Jason Aldean, Oliver Anthony, and others like them.
Amen, Jim!
Just Restacked this post!
Goodness, thank you so much Jim!
That isn’t true it’s just different. There are just as many underground musicians with massive talent as any other time, it’s up to the listener to find them. I’m not fan of death metal, but you can’t deny the drummers are beyond anything in the past as far as precision and speed. Tool would hold up with any bad from any era. I don’t know any odl bands writing songs in Fibonacci sequence. Led Zeppelin would be the equivalent as far as complexity, only difference would be their influence. Page and Plant follow satanic practices while Maynard is a believer in God through much struggle like many of us. I’m all for tradition keeping while trying not to turn into the old man yelling get off my lawn
Jenna Stocker true thinker. Gives me hope
Thank you, Jeremy. I appreciate the encouragement and kind words.
thats alot to think about. great work out there
Thank you, sir!
I was directed to this article by Dear Rest of America, and I'm blown away at the depth of this. God bless the deep thinkers like you who help the rest of us to see and understand what is really going on. I gave up social media as a whole 2 years ago, and I don't miss it one bit, and that's why I really love pieces like this. Thank you, and please keep up the great work.
Thank you for the kind and generous words, sir. I appreciate the feedback and am glad you were able to find some value in the post. Thanks again!
You know what else I appreciate about you thus far: your genuine humility, something sadly and obviously lacking in our current culture. I'm 68, so I'm at the latter end of the boomer generation, and your writing is thirst-quenching.
It's a sad state of affairs, but as a young mom, I hope to instill manners, humility, and integrity in my kids. We have to try! Thank you again, Jeff.
Beautiful essay the reflects the author. Bravo.
Thank you, sir for your continued support. I really appreciate it!
Another great one, Jenna! I always learn so much.
That's very kind, Lisa. I learn a lot too -- the trouble is figuring out what to cut!
Very well done, Jenna! Thanks for writing this.
Thanks for reading and for your feedback, as always!!
Great essay. Insightful musical and cultural history mixed with optimism.
You're much too kind, David. Thank you!
Superb analysis and enthusiastic expression...
Rare to find in the shallow caliber of so many at this time.
REALLY ENJOYED READING THIS. Keeping it to share
among so many needing a moment of positive reflection
and a bit of hope.
That's so very humbling, and I'm glad it connected with you. Thank you so much for reading it and commenting!
I suspect like many others my first exposure to The Band was "The Last Waltz." I can (and do) watch and listen to those performances over and over. Thank you for adding cultural context to The Band's place in Americana. Your post will give me another layer of meaning and pleasure to their music.
Thank you so much for reading and especially for commenting. "The Last Waltz" is amazing; I "found" The Band through Dylan and it's been a fascinating journey through music and cultural history (often interwoven) discovering more with each listen -- or viewing. I appreciate your support, David. Thanks again!
Really enjoyed this Jenna. I stumbled across this (you) through Bright newsletter. I subscribed and will look forward to more!
Thank you so much, Donald! Bright is fantastic and it's usually the first thing I read in the morning.
Most impressive. Loved the music culture tie ins.
Thank you, Bert! I really appreciate the kind words.
You are most welcome.
You may like Harry Angell's encounter with Robbie Robertson
https://heapcoup.substack.com/p/bumping-into-geniuses
What a story. Thank you for sharing this!
Nice one.
Btw, the Political Beats podcast episode you did on The Beach Boys might be my favorite thing ever. I still recommend it to people.
"Hold on Dear Brother" is my favorite Beach Boys Americana tune!
Carl and the Passions So Tough -- highly underrated and grossly overlooked. I'm partial to “You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone.” You should write about this! (if you haven't already). You're one of the most eloquent and passionate people about music and culture I deeply admire it.
Thank you so much -- I really appreciate it!