One thing that happens with libraries of music is that they are very particular about what they are asking of composers. For good reason, they house music that has to conform to specific needs. It also has to be able to invoke a feeling in the listener. That listener has to immediately get what it is that the music is speaking.
As the leader of a new library, I’m suddenly in the position of having to make sure that the composers I have bringing in material fit the material to the specification that I’m asking for. I’m beginning to understand why my friend Robert, who has been doing this for many years, is always questioning the intelligence of the musicians he has working for him. Like him, I don’t want to get into the game of micro managing. It’s not fun. The trouble is, you can ask for something, but the musician may be lazy and then you have to ask multiple times to get it done correctly. Ugh.
It makes you wonder if people have forgotten to obey certain things about instructions. It least it does for me.
Which brings me to the idea of breaking the rules. There is a time to do it and then there is a time not to. When you’re being asked for something specific, breaking the rules is probably not the best idea. I can appreciate an artist like Ozzy. He definitely did some strange things that have become legend or lore in the annals of music history. How appropriate that he has a song called “Breaking All The Rules.”
Slamming guitar work is always a staple in Ozzy’s songs. As is pounding drums. That’s the power core of his songs. Of course his instantly recognizable vocals also help. Greatest artist ever? Probably not. Very entertaining and cool to have around? Certainly so. Go get your Ozzy.