Jim,

Howdy friend! The problem with determining quality is that it, too, is subjective. I am fine with a suit from Joseph E. Banks...a retailer of nice men's wear here in the U.S. My neighbor wouldn't be caught dead in anything less than the "quality" of an Armani. Thus, his standard of quality is far different from mine. It's the same old thing. The definition of quality differs from one person to the next. As we grow, our experiences, culture, peers and in-born tastes are going to define our likes and dislikes. Few of us have similar experiences, peers and in-born tastes.

I think many folks predetermine the quality and/or likeability of most things before they ever experience it. When a person who does not like Contemporary Country music sits down to listen to a CD by a Contemporary Country artist, they will have already predtermined that they probably are not going to like it and do not listen to it objectively. That would hold true in almost all genres of music that a traditional history followed by contemporary models.

My wife deplores Geln Campbell. I enjoy his guitar playing immesnsely and pretty much like his vocals. To quote my wife: "Anything Glen Campbell does is pure sh*t...end of statement." If he ever did a song she would legitimately like, she would not allow herself to do so. I think similar attitudes prevail about the evolution of music form its past to its present.

Always good to hear from ya! Take care and all the best!

Alan