The tendency is to think about all things human–scientific, athletic, intellect, etc.–as being in a constant state of evolution and improvement. But I found a series of YouTube videos that make it painfully apparent that this is not the case when it comes to music and entertainment.

See what I mean…

Finale to “Stormy Weather” 1943 with Cab Calloway, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Lena Horne and the Nicholas Brothers

Nathan Milstein: “Paganiniana” 1968

“Jammin’ the Blues” with Lester Young

Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man, Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts

The Osbourne Brothers: “Rocky Top”, “Ruby”

Sviatoslav Richter: Chopin Etudes Op. 10 No. 1-4