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@Pioneer1It figures that after your inept attempt to discredit and ridicule everything richardmurray had to say, you would then stupidly seek his advice on having me "put out of your tribe". Not to worry. As a seeker of the absolute truth, I am automatically disqualified from belonging to any tribe made up of lying, assisinine, windbags like you. Feel better now?

😑I'm not really sure nor do I even care what tribe I belong to anymore. I can't even keep it straight what the letters stand for. I would simply say that when it comes to black folks, my first loyalty is to the unadulterated truth, and let the chips fall where they may. The only way I would currently distinguish myself is to declare that my dislike for Trump and everything he represents is so intense that it's palpable, and I have nothing but utter contempt for black Conservative MAGAs. If whatever this reveals about me is true, then - so be it. 🫤 zzzzzz

There are still stories about love and life.

The melodic love ballads of my 1950s era, particularly the lyrics which were so exquisite in telling the stories of love lost, - and sometimes found, are something I still hold near and dear. Whether it's Frank Sinatra lying awake in the wee small hours of the morning, being "there if only she would call,", or Sarah Vaughn confessing to being "Misty, just holding you near" or the Platters assuring that they "only have eyes for you", this music never fails to bring a wistful smile to my face. Yeah, those were the days. How could you not be entranced by a husky voice caressing poignant lyrics like:"I get along without you very well...Of course I do...Except when soft rains fall...and drift from leaves then I recall...the thrill of being sheltered in your arms...Of course, I do...But I get along without you very well..." or - "Your lips were like a red and ruby chalice, warmer than a summer night. The moon was like an alabaster palace rising to its snowy heights. Each star its own aurora borealis, suddenly the sky turned bright. I could see the midnight sun!", - a melodic tribute to a love connection... Later, of course, there were plenty of R&B story tellers in the person of male groups like The Temptations singing about "Papa" being a "Rollin Stone", or Marvin Gaye, asking "What's Goin' On?" or Prince relating the "Sign of the Times". But even they are now relegated to "oldies but goodies" broadcasts that are few and far between. None the less, the Blues are still holding forth, thanks to every hoarse ol hoot who ever picked up a guitar to strum his mournful tale about "dat low down woman who done me wrong". Sigh. I agree, however, with ProfD that all these classic mini-operas will sadly fade into the dusty archives of bygone music. Gone. But, hopefully, not totally forgotten.

IMO, storytelling in music has been gone for a long time. The times we live in have a huge effect on songwriting & music. Storytelling through music has taken a back seat to making people move. Hip-Hop still has MCs who can be storytellers. Otherwise, Popular music usually caters to younger people. Their experiences & points of reference may not facilitate storytelling in their music. At least not anything older folks can relate. Hip-Hop is the final frontier where storytelling is still viable. Gotta dig to find it tho. 😎