Back in the day, I’ve heard many say, 

the music in the air was sublimer

John and Paul led the way, Motown hits everyday

 That Tambourine man a mystical rhymer

 There's no satisfaction like The Stones they lament

Smokey, Stevie and Marvin—Aretha! Heaven sent. 

  Where'd they go? They persist in making their point

The Bottom Line’s gone...now that was some joint! 

But put memories aside and it sure seems to me

The past ain't got nothing on the present--cause you see
If you dig a little deeper --beyond mainstream hype
there's a treasure overflowing with sounds you might like

exotic blends and sonic gems from folks both near and far

From Nashville Tennessee to Nome—Cameroon to Kandahar

Where it's all about the music, from the fancy to the plain

Choose your route and punch your ticket on a worldwide Soul train*

 Record label A&R men who back then ruled the air

Are gone and good riddance, cause now we all share

Up on YouTube and Facebook and up in the cloud

Invite all your friends till they grow to a crowd

Oh, The Beatles were fab, and still are --yeah yeah yeah 

good vibrations from the Beach Boys-- they're felt everywhere

but today I listened to a group that was playing

from a  farm in the boonies (I could hear donkeys braying)

with harmonies soaring, with something to say

they moved me to tears.  Golden age?  It's today.**


*... and if you can't find music you like (any kind of music) via the hundreds of digital services dedicated to just that purpose...then you're just not trying. 


**Golden age for listeners that is...but perhaps more challenging for musicians trying to make a living.  The old formula was draconian, but also simpler--get a record deal, or get a day job.  Now with all the old avenues closed, finding new ones can make for a bumpy and unpredictable ride.  Interesting article in New Yorker --http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sashafrerejones/2013/08/how-will-musicians-survive-in-the-spotify-era.html