Is it all downhill from here?

[NoJo]

Maybe it's because I've become more aware of my age recently, but I felt a tinge of envy for my younger self today. Besides being able to eat what he liked without worrying about any impact to his wardrobe, he also wrote some fine jazz tunes. I listened to them today, and had no idea how the hell I could play them, let alone come up with them.

Can anyone give me some role models for people whose music improved through their life, rather than peaking in their twenties or thirties? I can only think of Beethoven, and he went deaf, the deaf bastard.

 

[CharleyH]

Maybe it's because I've become more aware of my age recently, but I felt a tinge of envy for my younger self today. Besides being able to eat what he liked without worrying about any impact to his wardrobe, he also wrote some fine jazz tunes. I listened to them today, and had no idea how the hell I could play them, let alone come up with them.

Can anyone give me some role models for people whose music improved through their life, rather than peaking in their twenties or thirties? I can only think of Beethoven, and he went deaf, the deaf bastard.

I love the jazz singers so all I can offer are: Etta James, Alberta Hunter, (not sure how much a hand they had in composing) and yes, believe me or do not Blondie (Debbie Harry). Particularly Alberta Hunter. Also, it was my undersanding that Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk did some amazing things the older they got?

Again, particularly where you are talking about age? Alberta Hunter had a singing career, lied about her age at 65 and went into nursing, and then became a jazz singer again. SHE is definately inspirational at any age and in any career.

 

[lil_elvis]

Why does everyone say it's "downhill from here," when everything feels so uphill?

Sorry, not much help on the music

 

[Dar~]

When you are young it seems that you are more willing to try new/crazy things. I know you probably don't care, but I truly think (pop type stars sorry) Madonna, Reba Mcintire and the group Aerosmith have gotten better as they've matured. Remember, I am 24, this is what I know . . sorry if it isn't any help. you're still dead sexy to me.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

. . . Can anyone give me some role models for people whose music improved through their life, rather than peaking in their twenties or thirties? . . .

Arthur Rubinstein’s long and rewarding career began in 1900. He retired in 1976 at 89 and died six years later.

At 16 years of age, Richard Rodgers began his first important collaboration, in 1918, with Lorenz Hart, which lasted until Hart's death in 1943. Then forty-one, Rodgers teamed up with Oscar Hammerstein II, until Hammerstein’s death in 1960.

It was during this second collaboration that Rodgers produced some of the most popular pieces in Broadway history, including Oklahoma! (1944), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), and The Sound of Music (1959).

 

[kendo1]

Joe, that's the best AV you've put up.
You look younger than me!

All the Blues artists got better with age.

 

[NoJo]

Arthur Rubinstein’s long and rewarding career began in 1900. He retired in 1976 at 89 and died six years later.

At 16 years of age, Richard Rodgers began his first important collaboration, in 1918, with Lorenz Hart, which lasted until Hart's death in 1943. Then forty-one, Rodgers teamed up with Oscar Hammerstein II, until Hammerstein’s death in 1960.

It was during this second collaboration that Rodgers produced some of the most popular pieces in Broadway history, including Oklahoma! (1944), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), and The Sound of Music (1959).

Good. Thanks, VB. I like "my favorite things".

I saw Rubenstein in 1976. He made lots of mistakes (he always did). He was a master of "feel", a classical pianist that jazz players could relate too.

Charlie, I have to say I prefer the young cool Miles Davis to the old one. In 1975 when he was so out of it on PCP he could hardly play.

I think when it comes to writing, age has much less of an impact on creativity. Besides the people who you could argue have "one one story in them", many writers seem to merely change their outlook as they age, but not to the detriment of their writing quality.

 

[NoJo]

Joe, that's the best AV you've put up.
You look younger than me!

All the Blues artists got better with age.

Yeah! I'm looking foward to Cream reunion.

 

[Wildcard Ky]

I think there's many good examples of people whose music improved with age. The first one that comes to mind is Rod Stewart. Overall his music from the 90's was much better than his music from the 70's.

Elton John is better than ever.

The Rolling Stones.

Aerosmith.

I don't like country music, but there's quite a few of those guys in their 40's and 50's that are as strong as they've ever been. George Strait is one that sticks out in my mind. I think Toby Keith is in his 40's as well.

 

[impressive]

I will ALWAYS believe the best is yet to come. I have to -- else I'd not get out of bed each morning!

 

[The_Fool]

I will ALWAYS believe the best is yet to come. I have to -- else I'd not get out of bed each morning!

Doesn't that depend on who's in the bed with you?

 

[NoJo]

I think there's many good examples of people whose music improved with age. The first one that comes to mind is Rod Stewart. Overall his music from the 90's was much better than his music from the 70's.

Elton John is better than ever.

The Rolling Stones.

Aerosmith.

I don't like country music, but there's quite a few of those guys in their 40's and 50's that are as strong as they've ever been. George Strait is one that sticks out in my mind. I think Toby Keith is in his 40's as well.

We-e-ll, Elton seems to mainly do a lot of his old stuff, but yes I guess he can still play and sing pretty well.

And I beg to differ with the stones. I mean they're not going to do another "Satisfaction" or "Let it Bleed" in a hurry.

I always liked Steve Tyler, but now my interest has switched to his sexy daughters.

 

[NoJo]

I will ALWAYS believe the best is yet to come. I have to -- else I'd not get out of bed each morning!

I just say "so far so good".

 

[impressive]

Doesn't that depend on who's in the bed with you?

I don't have sex in bed. Too limiting. Sex is the reason to get OUT of bed.

 

[CharleyH]

Why does everyone say it's "downhill from here," when everything feels so uphill?

Sorry, not much help on the music

At first I thought this was a skiing thread

Well, Elvis ... I, myself, am coming up on 40, and changing careers for example, at 37, 38, 39 etc., is NOT EASY, but can be done. Changing your life from not happy (no reflection on SJ or this thread, only my op) to wow?

It is called downhill, well, because it is harder to change things even if you want it, even if you feel young, if you look young when you have responsibility. OTHERS make it a downhill battle, when it does not have to be. My take.

 

[Sassy Grrl]

Dear Subjoe:

You are incredibly sexy. I'm sorry that you're blocked up musically, wish I could help.

You don't seem like a sub. Is your name a joke? Or am I just really thick?

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

At one point in his career (right after putting out Bringing It All Back Home, Bob Dylan was booed off the stage by his fans, who resented his inclusion of electrified instruments in his performance.

Dylan’s response to critics (and/or fans) was always — “Just because you like what I do, doesn’t mean that I owe you anything.”

Not every performer can support this kind of attitude. Many people first turn to performing as a way of gaining approval. Once they succeed to a level of approval, it is often difficult for them to surrender that approval when fans are unwilling to adapt their tastes to permit the artist to grow.

In this way, fans can work to impede a performer’s progress and growth, by trying to hold onto them as some form of sentimental living keepsake.

 

[R. Richard]

Checkout the long time work of John Lee Hooker.

 

[shereads]

Just don't wear your old white satin bellbottoms when you open your reunion concert for PBS with "Nights In White Satin," and everything will be fine. Oh, the shame.

Thank God for the Neil Youngs and James Taylors of the world who just update the jeans and shirt once in a while. They look their age, and it works for them.

You must have enjoyed your youth more than I did. I like me better now.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

...oops

 

[cantdog]

You want a young drummer, usually, I think.

That aside, writers are always different older. I have a sort of bizarre aesthetic theory about this. Young guys write with the penis. You've read that kind of writing, and there's certainly music like that, too. Then, they have a maturation, if they have it in them, and write with the heart. Finally, there's a feel to an older writer that goes beyond heart. Spirit, maybe. I think of the last few novels from Rex Stout. Friendships as he came to see them at 75 or 80 were seen with a different emphasis than when he was in his late 30's and 40's. His A Family Affair, for instance. No penis-writer could even have conceived of the book, and even Rex would have written it differently at 40.

So some can, but not all do. When they do, it can cast a light on human experience which is the clearest of all. You need to keep introspecting to achieve it. You are clearly doing that. And you have to give a shit. Ditto, man.

 

[NoJo]

Dear Subjoe:

You are incredibly sexy. I'm sorry that you're blocked up musically, wish I could help.

You don't seem like a sub. Is your name a joke? Or am I just really thick?

The scenerarios aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[NoJo]

Just don't wear your old white satin bellbottoms when you open your reunion concert for PBS with "Nights In White Satin," and everything will be fine. Oh, the shame.

Thank God for the Neil Youngs and James Taylors of the world who just update the jeans and shirt once in a while. They look their age, and it works for them.

You must have enjoyed your youth more than I did. I like me better now.

I didn't enjoy my youth either. I'm talking about my 30's, which I also didn't enjoy. I'm enjoying this decade more. I also like myself a tiny bit more -- or rather I'm conscious of my weaknesses and strengths now, which is an important first step towards liking myself. I just wish I had the talent I had ten years ago, but with the car I have now.

 

[NoJo]

You want a young drummer, usually, I think.

That aside, writers are always different older. I have a sort of bizarre aesthetic theory about this. Young guys write with the penis. You've read that kind of writing, and there's certainly music like that, too. Then, they have a maturation, if they have it in them, and write with the heart. Finally, there's a feel to an older writer that goes beyond heart. Spirit, maybe. I think of the last few novels from Rex Stout. Friendships as he came to see them at 75 or 80 were seen with a different emphasis than when he was in his late 30's and 40's. His All in the Family, for instance. No penis-writer could even have conceived of the book, and even Rex would have written it differently at 40.

So some can, but not all do. When they do, it can cast a light on human experience which is the clearest of all. You need to keep introspecting to achieve it. You are clearly doing that. And you have to give a shit. Ditto, man.

I liked reading that post and heartily agree with all of it.

The drummer thing is very true. I'm fortunate to have a very good 16-year-old drummer in my son, who's almost certain to do it professionally, he's so focused on it.

Tonight I'm seeing Chucho Valdez play at Ronnie Scott's jazz club; Chucho is in his 60's. He sometimes gets his 80 year old father along to jam. I hope my son does thatr when he's in his 60's.

The ability to turn feelings into words doesn't fade with age. But the motivation and energy required does fade. While not physically demanding, writing can be quite stressful, particularly writing to deadlines. My father was advised to retire from professional writing when he had a coronary in his late 50's. He was in the middle of a very convoluted thriller, a thirteen part TV series, along the lines of "The Prisoner", (which he also wrote an episode of). He worked on it sporadically over the next few years, but couldn't really get to grips with it any more. After he died, some of his friends suggested I try to complete it, but I think it would require a lot more screenwriting experience than I have.

I've grown up with writers and authors, and by and large they seem to be less inclined to write as they age.

 

[TheEarl]

I thought jazz musicians got better with age, like front-row forwards.

The Earl