Jeff Dunn writes:

>The last category, 'new-to-me (NtM) music' is what matters.  Anyone who
>doesn't do NtM cannot claim to be much of a music lover, if they think
>the few classics they know are all they need to know.  They should at
>lesat explore more unheard music of their favorite composers or styles.
>Non - NtMers I dismiss out of hand.

Although Jeff has created a new acronym, I find his views harsh.  I don't
decide what constitutes a lover of music, and I have no interest in doing
so.  I'm sure that folks who only listen to pre-baroque music consider
themselves music lovers to some degree.  To think that persons can only
be music lovers if they 'stretch the envelope' doesn't make sense to me.

I know some guys who listen to exactly the same music they listened to
when they were in college in the late 1960's/early 1970's - Jimi Hendricks,
The Doors, Led Zepplin, etc.  They think of themselves as music lovers
- that's all that counts.

My view is - get into new music if you want, but the main thing is to
enjoy your listening experiences.  Listeners are not under any obligation
(legal or ethical) to seek out the new unless they give themselves the
obligation.

Don Satz
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