More importantly, my second theory is that, come what may, every decent song that exists can be deconstructed down to its most basic elements and delivered on by a solo acoustic guitar or piano and voice. Oh, and heavy metal, two words: Spinal Tap. The ONE exception that proves the rule: modern jazz… it’s still there in the New Orleans second line and traditional jazz, but modern/avant garde jazz doesn’t have a rhythm you can count on, and therefore no polka. Once you start recognizing it, sooner or later you’ll hear it everywhere: bluegrass, jam bands, folk music of all kinds, country music, African American slave chants and spirituals, even orchestral classical music has it’s share. Same is true of old school punk, those mosh pits begin to feel just like those German beer barrel dance floors when the rhythm settles down to a slower groove. I’ve given this a lot of thought at hundreds of concerts and music festivals of every kind, but listen to Los Lobos get back to their acoustic Mexican roots and you’ll hear a polka, witness the accordion. The first is that deep down at the root of every genre of music there’s an ugly secret, and that secret is a polka. Fire Note Says: Colvin & Earle share a personal feeling in music here that is ultimately universal.Īlbum Review: As a junior musicologist (every music critic thinks they know everything, and don’t believe them when they tell you otherwise), I have a few pet theories about music.

Shawn colvin steve earle video