When I was a kid, I watched a movie called The Jazz Singer.
It featured the unlikely combination of Laurence Olivier and Neil Diamond. I remember the struggle of a Jewish son trying to break free of the religious traditions of his strict father.
But I also remember the creative struggle depicted.
Some fool tried to reinterpret one of Jess Robin’s songs. Here is a clip that shows what went wrong. Then, Jess Robin (aka Neil Diamond) demonstrates how the song was meant to be performed.
This sequence is even more relevant today than when the movie came out in 1980. Today, remixes abound. And songs can be twisted apart by A.I.
I’m not opposed to the idea of reworking songs for a new age. Pretty much all art is derivative. Shakespeare may have taken the story of Pyramus and Thisbe as his inspiration for Romeo and Juliet.
Nevertheless, we should take the time to honor the source material when we can. This isn’t always possible, and it’s not always easy. Still, it’s important for us to remember that our art is not entirely new. It emerges from a long line of creative endeavors.
Art reflects the ideals of a certain time and place. If Homer could be reborn today, he would not write The Odyssey and The Iliad again. He would create something new.
I sometimes wonder what he might produce. Then, I listen to the songs from Hamilton. I watch superhero movies and the latest Star Wars stories. And I know that creativity is alive and well.
Not all remakes are worth watching. I think Fame (2009) and Footloose (2011) are pretty lame compared to Fame (1980) and Footloose (1984). Of course, that could have something to do with the times I remember while growing up.
Still, some source material is inspiring. Seek it out!
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