>
>>Nah...we just look at the outcome of Lionel's
>>"songwriting"....
>
>well...that's kinda besides the point cause the 'outcome' of a
>composition is different than the composition itself. I LOVE
>the composition of 'say you say me'....but the outcome (the
>arrangement, the production, etc) is admittedly not so great,
>perhaps a little corny. But if you love songwriting
>itself....that tune is undeniable.


It's not besides the point, Denny....Because when I listen to "Zoom" by the Commodores I am amazed at the composition of that song...The rich build up...The stutter step cadence of the actual track...But all that would be moot if I didn't actually think the song was quality...if it was actually "good" or listenable...Again, there's a difference between someone who is not a fan of a specific format of music, but still appreciates the artistry that goes behind it (You hear folks who usually do this with classical music and jazz) and then someone who dislikes the outcome of a song, regardless of what went into it, because it sucks...

That's basically for the most part '80s Lionel(to me)...."Say You Say Me" is a awful song....If other folks like it, well, different strokes..But I know how great Lionel can be with his songwriting...So (for me) a song like "Say You, Say Me" is dude slumming it...And he slummed it a lot during that period....



>>There is indeed a case to be made for the same Lionel that
>>wrote most of the Commodores music in the '70s...In fact,
>>everyone here knows how incredible he was as a pure
>>songwriter...That's never been in question...But the
>majority
>>of his '80s output? Not so much...

>I think his songwriting was better in the 80's. But the
>Commodores had better arrangements, playing, grooves,
>production all that kinda stuff.


And I think you need to get your ears checked...lol...But seriously, that's on you...I can't make you change your mind...I just know that "Easy" is miles ahead of "Dancing On A Ceiling"....



>>But Stevie (another name that was brought into the
>discussion)
>>and Prince? I'll stack their best work up against Lionel's
>>anytime...And feel great about it...

>
>Stevie's a master of all trades so it's a tough call. The
>only area or skill that Lionel has that could measure up to
>Stevie would be songwriting and it's a tough call. In all,
>I'd say Lionel got the edge.


And I'd say that you are on crack...lol...But I still respect your opinion, homie...

>But Prince? Just no. I would characterize Prince's greatest
>attributes as being a master arranger...great
>instrumentalist....great programming. Basically the polar
>opposite of someone like Richie who's main thing is
>composition/songwriting. I think Prince got Richie beat in
>every facet of record-making EXCEPT for songwriting.

Again..crack...lol...But I respect your rationale behind your thinking....As always...


>As an aside...and it's probly none of my white business....but
>I have no idea why some black guys here are arguing over what
>black people listen to. Who cares? I like hearing all the
>informed views here but some of this stuff is so unnecessary.
>You got a bunch of music nerds/elites (whichever you prefer)
>arguing over what other people think. And those other people
>aren't as passionate about music as we all are here. As soon
>as people start appealing to their neighborhoods I tune out
>cause I don't care.




Um...Maxx brought that up, Denny...Take it up with him...That's the guy that you are somewhat defending...Believe me....No one was bringing up race until Maxx started questioning people's blackness and calling people Uncle Tom's and Oreos and lying about Lionel getting a hall pass in the hood just because we said that Lionel was at the head of the class in the '80s when it came to making middle of the road bullshit...Which is a pretty hard thing to do considering that NEARLY EVERYONE was playing that game in the '80s....





>But I recognize your attempts for staying classy Murph.
>Cheers and agree to disagree.


Respect....