[MD] Turning Point?

[Platt Holden]

Hi All:

During my regular morning routine of checking out the Drudge Report I learned  
that for the first time in 29 years Barry Manilow  tops the Billboard 200 pop 
music chart with his new album, "The Greatest Songs of the 50's" Also, Andrea 
Bocelli, the classical tenor, took the number 3 spot with "Amore."
 
I find this news heartening because, say what you will about Manilow, he can 
sing. So too can Bocelli. Furthermore, the songs they sing are melodic.

After decades of so called music on the pop scene that lacked melody and 
featured voiceless performers,.could it be that quality is making a comeback?

Maybe February 2006 marks a turning point in the history of pop music when 
singable songs regain their popularity and performers stand alone on a bare 
stage lighted by a single spot and capture the audience with the sheer beauty   
of voice and melody without needing the support of a jungle beat, laser lights, 
dancing girls, and amplifiers cracking eardrums with decibels of a jet engine. 

Biological forces are indeed powerful and may hold sway for a generations. But, 
but in the end I have faith that the level above intellect--the level of art --
will triumph. Perhaps today we are witnessing a move towards that end. For me 
it is an end devoutly to be wished. :-) 

Platt