Hi Jazz
I think Music speaks volumes about the country/ place it is coming from. Gives such an insight into the culture and lifestyle. Same with fashion. E.G. I remember hearing the spine chilling White Rabbit and realising that Alice in Wonderland was known all over the world, stuff like that. Also the freedom in California for the bands to try out absolutely anything, like Creedence Clearwater singing about the bayous, but coming from San Francisco, and the amazing Electra label and Ascap music/arts publishers. The Monterey Jazz festival kicking off the open air idea.I cannot abide slick music, like the Eagles, but plenty do love the MOR stuff. Something for everyone to think about.We were very lucky here the get the old Blues Men, Giants in their field over here, and we saw them all, so influential on our musicians, so the Southern States opened more minds up.
Californian music made us think about visiting the States, it wasn't the grim city of New York,it was happy and sunny.
On the flip I can remember being in a crowded Tube train with a load of Punks, safety pins through the nose etc. A line of American tourists looked so worried and nervous, until I asked one how he got his blue hair to stick up in a massive Mohican spike.He explained how he used sugar water and the others joined in as we swapped notes on using food colouring on hair. You could see the tourists relax and start to join in the conversation.I would bet they remembered that as much as visiting Buckingham Palace, Jazz !
Now where's my Electric Prunes...:)
Yve