I Missed Out
On 03-18-2008
at 5:23 pm
I feel left out. I am not a spring chicken(32 years old), but I have only experienced a few great moments in music. I witnessed Garth Brooks’ rise to uber-stardom, Michael Jackson’s masterpiece Thriller, and Johnny Cash setting the music world on its ear with his America Recordings. However, I would love to hop in a Delorean and see when real music was made. I wasn’t there to see Cash before his downward spiral. I didn’t see The Beatles spectacular run from swingin’ London to the U.S. and I didn’t get to watch Patsy Cline sing hit after hit. Most of these people have left this world, but if I had only one choice of these artists I would have to pick Patsy Cline. People that know me, would wonder why. I am not a huge Patsy Cline fan. I am familiar with her catalog. She had a good voice, but in my opinion it wasn’t great. I think anyone with a good voice could have sold those songs. I am actually more partial to Willie Nelson’s version of “Crazy”. I just want to witness what the fuss was about. Her screen presence was nothing really special. She just flashed that joker like smile with no charisma. Artists like, Tammy and Loretta, just had more attitude. They were unique. Tammy and Loretta sounded like empowered women. And Patsy, well Patsy would have been a really good church alto. Now the real reason why I am picking on Ms. Cline, is that her life and music will be studied and discussed at a symposium, headed by the Virginia Historical Society and the Community History Project of Shenandoah University. It will take place on April 4th and is taking place in Richmond, Virginia. The event is for one day only and titled, “Sweet Dreams: The Life and Times of Patsy Cline.” Paul Levengood, the managing editor of the historical society’s Virginia Magazine of History and Biography was quoted saying that “Patsy Cline was Virginia’s most significant contribution to 20th century American Popular Culture.” I would agree to the most recognizable, but most significant? I would have to give that to the original Carter Family. In my opinion, it should have been called “Sweet Dreams: How Patsy Cline was at the right place at the right rime.” Now, hit me with your best shot. I can take it. But do not bring a knife to a gun fight. I will be ready. -Todd for www.purecountrymusic.com
[...] blogger wants to know what all the Patsy Cline fuss is about, he says “Patsy would have been a really good church [...]
Due to a combination of her early death and the transcendent, haunting quality in her voice and records, Patsy Cline has become a “legend” with larger-than-life qualities.
Look what an early, tragic death did for John Kennedy.
But she did have a rich, resonant voice which she employed with full force. That voice combined with a few great songs she was fortunate to get her hands on resulted in a great little catalogue; and a wistful, “what might have been” spirit embodies her work.
Listen more closely to her recordings, and see if you still feel “any good singer” could have done the same with them.
Really listen. You might hear the timeless quality which makes others react so strongly to her.