rhythmaning: (Default)
rhythmaning ([personal profile] rhythmaning) wrote2006-12-06 03:23 pm
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Ease of Recognition

The other day, I switched on the radio, and heard maybe two chords of a guitar-based tune. I turned to my wife and said, “George Thorogood”. Two chords – two beats; and I was right.

This freaked me out a bit; I can’t think when I last heard a record by George Thorogood. I saw them play a couple of times – the Music Machine, I think it was (later, it became the Camden Palace; no idea what it is called now) – but that was thirty years ago.

I have no idea why I recognised his playing. It must have been something in the way he played the chords – the distortion, the timbre of his playing. It was weird.

There are some songs and players I recognise easily: for instance, two drum beats from Springsteen’s Streets Of Philadelphia and I know it (and that is definitely not a favourite tune or anything).

Tunes I know well, I usually recognise quickly.

But I find it strange that I can identify musicians that I haven’t listened to for decades.

[identity profile] f4f3.livejournal.com 2006-12-06 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Probably falls into the category of things I wouldn't say if I wasn't Pshtakued, but Mr Thorogood figured extensively in my US tour of 92. Bad to the bone, in particular, came on the radio as I was being driven to Detroit airport from Ann Arbor in '92 in an open top sports car. All present understood the sentiment.

[identity profile] morgaine-x.livejournal.com 2006-12-06 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Doesn't surprise me a bit.

[identity profile] morgaine-x.livejournal.com 2006-12-07 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I have a healthy respect for your ear, based on your writing. :)