"'Good' is based on opinion, but to a point there is a greater cultural standard."
One would hope so.
I'm just saying that high record sales is an objective indicator that a lot of people like something. High international record sales is an indicator that different cultures in different countries like something.
When a lot of people like something, there is usually something good about it, like talent, sex appeal or a catchy tune, to account for that. Of course some good marketing doesn't hurt either. But marketing alone cannot sustain an act with no talent, at least not for long, IMHO.
That doesn't mean that everything good is popular . There are many great recordings with poor sales, but at that point it is more of a subjective thing that cannot be measured.
I suppose things that remain somewhat popular over extended periods of time (after the marketing and hype is gone) and are not forgotten can be deemed objectively good due to longetivity, which is the ultimate measure.
BAch, Beethoven, and other classical composers are good examples. OTher more modern artists, like Ellington, Armstrong, Elvis, the Beatles and others that are no longer around but still have a following are other likely candidates (though The BEatles admittedly still have a substantial marketing machine in play).
In the end though, the only goodness that matters to each of us in the eye of the beholder/listener, I suppose.
One would hope so.
I'm just saying that high record sales is an objective indicator that a lot of people like something. High international record sales is an indicator that different cultures in different countries like something.
When a lot of people like something, there is usually something good about it, like talent, sex appeal or a catchy tune, to account for that. Of course some good marketing doesn't hurt either. But marketing alone cannot sustain an act with no talent, at least not for long, IMHO.
That doesn't mean that everything good is popular . There are many great recordings with poor sales, but at that point it is more of a subjective thing that cannot be measured.
I suppose things that remain somewhat popular over extended periods of time (after the marketing and hype is gone) and are not forgotten can be deemed objectively good due to longetivity, which is the ultimate measure.
BAch, Beethoven, and other classical composers are good examples. OTher more modern artists, like Ellington, Armstrong, Elvis, the Beatles and others that are no longer around but still have a following are other likely candidates (though The BEatles admittedly still have a substantial marketing machine in play).
In the end though, the only goodness that matters to each of us in the eye of the beholder/listener, I suppose.